Located in the coastal town of Gokarna in Karnataka, Mahabaleshwar Temple is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the seven sacred Muktikshetras or Mukthistala (place of salvation) in India. People perform death rites for their departed at this temple. Gokarna is also known as Dakshina Kasi.

Location Karnataka , Uttara Kannada, Bangalore

Legend

According to the legends, once Ravana performed severe penance at Mount Kailasa in order to obtain the Athmalinga of Lord Shiva. Please with Ravana's devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in front of him and gave the Athmalinga. Lord Shiva gave instructions to Ravana that the Athmalinga should not be placed on ground till it was deified at a final destination. WIth the blessing of Lord Shia, Ravana started his journey back to Lanka. Devas became frightened by this, knowing that Ravana will be more stronger after worshipping the Athmalinga. They went to Lord Ganesha and asked for his help. Lord Ganesha disguised himself and waited fro Ravana on his way. On the way, Ravana wanted to offer his evening religious prayers, and  he saw Ganesha and asked him to hold the Shivlinga till he returns. Ganesha told Ravana that he would hold it the Linga for a specified time and thereafter he would call Ravana three times and if Ravana failed to come to him by that time he would place the linga on the earth. Ravana went to do the evening prayer. After the agreed time period, Ganesha called Ravana three times; however, Ravana fails to come by that time. Ganesha placed the Linga on the ground and disappeared. Ravana tried to pull the linga from the ground, but the linga did not budge a little. As Ravana was unable to lift the Linga from the ground again and called shiva linga as Mahabala (you are too strong). And ever since the Linga illustrious is called as Mahabaleshwara.

Architecture

The temple is built according to the classical Dravidian style of architecture. The temple was first built by King Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty, who ruled between 345 - 365 CE.The temple is a large complex of shrines and much of it belongs to the later Vijayanagara period. The temple is built with granite stones. The temple has a Atmalinga enshrined in it on a square Saligrama Peetha. It has a small hole at its centre from where devotees can see the top of the Atmalinga. The deity, a carved stone image of Lord Shiva, is also deified here in a standing position and has two arms.

Culture

Gokarna, is one of India's most sacred places situated in the district of Uttara Kannada, a coastal region of Karnataka. It is a small town on banks of Arabian sea, and the coastline is surrounded by natural beauty of five beaches (Gokarna beach, Kudle beach, Om beach, Half moon beach and Paradise beach) and hills along side. Gokarna is adored as a Shaiva pilgrimage centre than a tourist destination, and as important as Kashi and Rameshwara pilgrimage places for hindus.

Darsan Info

The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Darsan Dresscode

Devotees are advised to dress appropriately.

Famous Festival

Mahashivaratri

RathaSaptami

Shiva-Parvati Vivahotsava

Tripurakhya Deepotsava

Shiva-Ganga Vivahotsava

Sharada Pooja

Ganesh Chaturthi

Navaratri

Temple Rituals

Before visiting the main shrine, devotees takes a bath in the Arabian Sea, opposite to the temple. Some devotees shave their head as a part of offering and takes fasting. They first visit the Shri Maha Ganapathi Temple, which is a few yards away from the Mahabaleshwar Temple. Only after that, they visit the main shrine.

Special Rituals

All devotees can enter the sanctum sanctorum and have the touch darshan of Athmalinga and can perform Abhisheka with their own hands. Free Amrutanna Prasad Bhojana is being served twice daily to all the devotees.

Additional Info

 

Hotel SHri Durgamba

Bangalore Bakery

Pai Restaurant

 

 Supermarket : Available