Murudeshwar Beach
Murudeshwar Beach is in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. It is situated in between Honnavara & Bhatkal towns. Murudeshwar town is on NH 66, 12 kms from Bhatkal town on the way to Karwar. It is 160 kms from Mangalore, on the way to Goa. Murudeshwar beach is 2kms on the left side off NH-66 while driving towards Goa from Mangalore. Murudeshwara is famous for Lord Shiva temple on the beach side.
Murudeshwar temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. Temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied Gopura is constructed in front of the temple. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 249 feet tall Raja Gopura, which is considered the tallest gopura in the world, was constructed to its present form by businessman and philanthropist Mr R N Shetty. The Rajagopuram of Murudeshwara Temple has 21 floors, including the ground floor. The base measures 105 feet in length and 51 feet breadth. The gopura also possess a lift and visitors can go to the top and have an aerial view of the Arabian Sea and the statue of Lord Shiva.
The highlights of Murudeshwar lie beyond its nice beach and rural flair. A breathtaking view awaits you when moving towards the little headland dividing the beach into north and south. There, on a little green hill, a 37m (or 123 feet) Lord Shiva idol sits enthroned, surrounded by smaller, but not less impressive, statues illustrating moments of the Hindu mythology.
There is a Hotel here on the beach side with sea facing rooms. A day’s stay here will be memorable. Alongside the hotel is a restaurant with the sea beneath. Sipping a cup of coffee with the waves hitting the coast below is a wonderful experience. The beach is flat and shallow. Swimming and water sports can be tried here. Boating, Scuba diving in the nearby islands is offered by an agency here. Murudeshwara is a perfect place for mixing religious pilgrimage with tourism.
About Murudeshwar:
Murudeshwar is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. “Murudeshwara” is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. Famous for the world’s second-tallest Shiva statue, Murudeshwara beach town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple.
How to reach: From Bangalore take the NH-206 to reach Honnavar and then take NH-17 to reach Murudeshwara. From Mumbai and Mangalore one has to take the National Highway NH-17 between the towns of Honnavar and Bhatkal
Best time to Visit: November to February
Nearest Road : From Bangalore 455 km, from Mangalore 165kms.
Nearest Railway Station : Murudeshwara station lies on the Konkan Railway. Some trains from Mumbai and Mangalore stop here. To reach from Bangalore on has to take train to Bhatkal station.
Nearest Airport : Mangalore International Airport, 165 km away. Hubli and Panaji airports are other alternatives.
Where to Stay : Private hotels and PWD Rest Houses
Please call Mangalore Taxi at +91-9972722878 to book Taxi to visit Murudeshwara Beach.