You are reading the Murudeshwar travel guide. So I’m assuming you are either curious or are planning a trip to this quiet hamlet. In this Murudeshwar travel guide, discover the historical significance of the hamlet, where to stay, how to get there, travel tips, places to see, things to do and more. Located in coastal Karnataka is the sleepy village of Murudeshwar. This beach town is the perfect destination for a short road trip.

Murudeshwar was known to a few before it gained popularity on Instagram. Pictures of the Shiva statue kept popping up on my Instagram feed. Whether the village was as beautiful as the photos, I had to see for myself. And so I took a road trip to Murudeshwar.

Without further delay, let’s get to know Murudeshwar a little better.

LEGEND OF MURUDESHWAR

Murudeshwar, modern-day Murudeshwar, is a sacred pilgrim mentioned in the Ramayan.

Hindu gods worshipped the Atma Linga, the soul of Lord Shiva, to attain immortality and invincibility. Ravan wanted the same, so he prayed to Lord Shiva. His devotion pleased Bhagwan Shankar and granted him the Atma Linga. But upon on condition. Ravan had to carry the Atma Linga to Lanka without putting it on the ground. If he put it down before reaching Lanka, the Linga would be immovable.

News about this incident reached Lord Vishnu. He feared once Ravan became invincible and immortal, he would cause large-scale destruction. Lord Vishnu requested Ganesh to help prevent Ravan and the Atma Linga from reaching Lanka. The two came up with a plan.

Ravan had reached Gokarna when he realised that it was dusk. It was time for his evening prayers to Lord Shiva. He couldn’t put down the Linga or skip his evening prayers. So what to do? Just then, he saw a Brahmin boy. Ravan requested the boy to hold the Atma Linga till he finished his prayers. The boy agreed on one condition. He would call for Ravan thrice. If Ravan didn’t return, hehe would put down the Linga.

After completing his prayers, Ravan returned and saw the Atma Linga on the ground. Suddenly the sky was bright, and it was no longer dusk. Lord Vishnu blotted the sun to appear evening, and the Brahmin boy was Ganesh in disguise. Ravan was enraged. He tried to lift the Atma Linga, but it was immovable.

Ravan kept pushing the Linga. His brutal strength caused the Atma Linga to shatter. Several pieces landed far away. The covering of the Linga landed at Mrideshwar. Later devotees constructed Shiva temples around the fragments. And Murudeshwar became a sacred pilgrim.

PLACES TO SEE IN MURUDESHWAR

This section of the Murudeshwar travel guide lists must-visit places in Murudeshwar.

MURUDESHWAR TEMPLE

As mentioned earlier, Ravan smashed the Atma Linga. The pieces scattered and landed in different towns. The headpiece landed in Surathkal, the covering case in Sajjeshwar, the lid in Guneshwar and the cloth covering the Linga in Murudeshwar. Later devotees built Shiva temples around these pieces. The Murudeshwar temple is around a rough-looking stone.

Murudeshwar Temple sits on Kanduka Hill, surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. The temple is a sacred pilgrim, and devotees come here from far and near. While the legend of the linga dates back to Ramayan, the architecture is modern. It is a recreation of the Dravidian architecture seen throughout South India.

Two life-size elephant statues protect the temple. Devotees line up to take photos of these imposing mammoths. Also, you can see the Raj Gopura and the Shiva statue rising in the distance.

NOTE:- Entry to the temple is free, and the temple is open daily (Monday to Sunday) from 7:07 am to 1 pm and reopens from 3 pm to 8:15 pm.

RAJA GOPURA

The twenty-storey Raj Gopura is one of the highlights of Murudeshwar. Rama Nagappa Shetty, a businessman and philanthropist, funded the construction of the Murudeshwar temple and Gopura. This imposing structure is unmissable.

The Gopura’s best feature is the observation deck at the top. A lift takes visitors to the twentieth floor. Here you are presented with panoramic views of Murudeshwar temple, the beach and the Shiva statue.

TRAVEL TIP:- It is the best place for observing the enormous Shiva statue, especially at sunset.

The lift to the observation deck operates daily (Monday to Sunday) from 7 am to 1 pm and reopens from 3 pm to 8 pm. There is an Rs.20 entry ticket to the observation deck.

NOTE:- There is a queue to the observation deck. So, arrive early.

SHIVA STATUE

The Shiva statue is the main attraction of Murudeshwar. I planned a trip to Murudeshwar after I saw photos on Instagram. It is one of the tallest Shiva statues in the world.

The statue sits on Kanduka Hill with the Arabian Sea at its back. Lord Shiva sits cross-legged on an animal’s skin. The sculpture is four-handed- one hand holds the Trishul (trident), the second has a damru (drum), and the other two rest in meditation poses. Asnake wraps around Lord Shiva’s neck, and a crescent moon decorates his jatta (hair).

Another unmissable statue is the Nandi, sitting below the statue, facing Lord Shiva. There are other beautiful statues and sculptures around. One is of Ravan handing over the Atma Linga to Ganesh, disguised as a Brahmin boy. Another is Goddess Ganga falling on Shiva’s head and flowing through his hair. A sun chariot drawn by horses sits a few feet away. You can see Lod Krishna advising Arjun.

All the structures are beautiful and worth a visit. Also, don’t forget to visit the small gallery at the base of the Shiva statue. Here you can see small statues and sculptures depicting the tale of the Atma Linga. It has an Rs.20 entry fee. Next to the gallery is a small temple.

The Murudeshwar Shiva temple is one of many Shiva statues in India.

TRAVEL TIP:- The best time to visit the Shiva statue is early morning or evening because crowds are less at this time.

THINGS TO DO IN MURUDESHWAR

In this segment of the Murudeshwar travel guide, discover what activities you can undertake when in Murudeshwar.

WATERSPORTS AT MURUDESHWAR BEACH

After visiting the temple, climbing to the top of the Gopura, and marvelling at the Shiva statue, it’s time for some fun. Walk to the Murudeshwar beach.

You can either go swimming or relax on the shore. If you are feeling adventurous, partake in various water sports.

TRAVEL TIP:- Avoid the beach on weekends because it is super crowded.

SCUBA DIVING AT NETRANI FORT

Scuba diving in Murudeshwar? Yes, you heard it. You can go scuba diving in Murudeshwar. The Netrani Fort is an underrated diving spot. It is your chance to live your ZNMD moment. Go diving at the bottom of a cliff. Marvel at the marine life and captures precious moments.

The Netrani diving spot is a long boat ride away. You can rent a private boat or go with a group. Private boats are costlier than shared ones. Several locals organise scuba diving expeditions. You can ask around and find the one best for you. A scuba diving package costs Rs.3,000 onwards per person. The cost includes a boat ride to and from Netrani Fort, scuba diving equipment, a short scuba diving practice and underwater photos.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t go scuba diving because the sea was rough, and scuba diving was unsafe. Well, better luck next time.

TRAVEL TIP:- Scuba diving takes 2-3 hours, sometimes more, so plan accordingly. Also, try to book an early morning scuba session because the water is calm and visibility is better.

HOW TO REACH MURUDESHWAR?

Murudeshwar is accessible by road, air and rail. Since my family loves road trips it’s a no-brainer that we chose to drive. However, if driving long distances isn’t for you then you can either travel by railway or by air.

BY ROAD

Murudeshwar is 597 km from Pune and is a 12-hour drive. Self-driving is the best option if you plan to explore nearby attractions.

From Pune, there are two routes to Murudeshwar. One is via Satara, and the other is via Pandharpur.

VIA SATARA

Murudeshwar is connected to Pune by Pune – Satara highway, NH48, and NH66. The road conditions are good, with a few bad patches. And the toll fee for the round-trip costs around Rs.1,400.

VIA PANDHARPUR

This route is 720 km and takes 15 hours. The road passes through a lot of towns, and traffic is unavoidable. Also, if you are travelling on the weekend, it will take longer. Pandharpur is a pilgrim and always crowded. The road conditions are okayish but have lots of bad patches. The toll fee for the round-trip is around Rs.1,000.

BY TRAIN

Murudeshwar lies on the Pune – Mysore line. You can take the Poona Express to Murudeshwar. The Murudeshwar train station is 2-3 km from the village. You can take an auto or taxi to your hotel or the temple.

BY FLIGHT

Mangalore International Airport, 153 km away, is the nearest airport to Murudeshwar. You can hire taxis from Mangalore to Murudeshwar.

WHERE TO STAY?

When I travelled to Murudeshwar, there were only a few 2-star hotels, motels and guesthouses. Therefore, I stayed in Kumta, 46 km away. However, several new hotels and resorts have opened up in Murudeshwar. I haven’t visited any new establishments, so I can’t comment on them. But the online reviews and traveller’s photos look promising.

I stayed at Om Bodhi eco-resort in Kumta. It is right on Kumta Beach. The resort has cottages with small porches and basic facilities. It is a quiet place to stay if you want to avoid crowds.

Gokarna is 77 km away from Murudeshwar. If you want luxurious accommodations, then Gokarna is the best choice. You can visit Murudeshwar on a day trip from Gokarna, as it is only a 90-minute drive.

DAY TRIPS FROM MURUDESHWAR

In this section of the Murudeshwar travel guide, I have listed a few day trip destinations from Murudeshwar.

KUMTA BEACH

46 km from Murudeshwa, Kumta Beach is a beautiful and peaceful seashore. Kumta is a small village and is untouched by crowds. So, if you want to avoid crowds and enjoy beach time, travel to Kumta Beach. The sea at Kumta is calm and has the best sunsets. During my stay in Kumta, I witnessed some of the best sunsets. Also, you might see a starry night on a clear night.

MIRJAN FORT

58 km from Murudeshwar is another attraction, Mirjan Fort. The fort is on the banks of the Aganashini River. According to history, Queen Chennabhairadevi, the Pepper Queen, ordered the construction of the Mirjan Fort.

The outer walls are intact, and some inner structures are partially standing. Tall grass covers the floor. During the monsoons, a green mossy carpet covers the fort.

Mirjan Fort makes for great photos, but it is not worth travelling 58 km for only 20 minutes. If you are staying in or travelling to Kumta, I recommend visiting Mirjan Fort, fifteen minutes away. Otherwise, you can skip it.

NOTE:- The fort is open from 8 am to 6 pm, and entry is free.

JOG FALLS

Jog Falls, 90 km from Murudeshwar, is a beautiful waterfall. Sharavati River drops down 830 feet to the bottom. Jog Falls is the third-highest plunge waterfall in India.

During the monsoons, the river flows at capacity and thunders as it plunges at Jog Falls. It is a marvellous sight.

There are two viewpoints to see the Jog Falls. On one side is a large platform to see the waterfall. Another is on the opposite side. Here you can find accommodations and food stalls. Also, a long stairway leads to the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. However, this path is closed during monsoons for safety reasons.

TRAVEL TIP:- The best time to visit is during the monsoons.

I visited Jog Falls a few weeks after the monsoons. By then, all the water had dried up, and only a few streams flowed. You can see it in the photo.

CONCLUSION

There are several long weekends in 2023, and Murudeshwar is the perfect destination for a short road trip. In this Murudeshwar travel guide, discover the historical significance of the hamlet, where to stay, how to get there, travel tips, places to see, things to do and more.

I hope this Murudeshwar travel guide was helpful and answered your queries. If I missed anything or you have questions, let me know in the comments. I hope this ignites your wanderlust because

Travel opens your mind to a few other things do.
It is its own form of hypnotism, and I am forever under its spell.

libba Bray