Murdeshwar prides itself for housing the magnanimous and beautiful statue of Lord Shiva. This statue is said to be the tallest in the whole world, the first being the Adiyogi statue, steel statue of Shiva with Thirunamam at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Located along the coastal belt of Arabian sea, this holy town is dedicated entirely to Lord Shiva. Murdeshwar is another name of the Lord Shiva and hence the name. The 15m long famous statue situated here lies on the green and vibrant pastures with the beautiful view of the ocean as its backdrop. The entire view is nothing short of mesmerising and leaves its visitors in awe. The beautiful stretch of green lawns are an abode toa lot of vibrant flowering plants that add to the grandeur. There is an artificial waterfall which cascades down the boulders on which the statue is perched on. The Murdeshwar Temple here is also very famous and has a lot of visitors yearly.
The beaches in the area have its own charm. One can enjoy the enchanting sunsets and take a stroll along the sandy shores of the Arabian sea. Apart from offering a breath-taking view of the surroundings, the beaches are a popular spot for many kinds of water sports and other adventures.
Aligadda Beach and Murdeshwar Beach are the two most popular in the area. Murdeshwar Beach attracts extra attention as it offers Scuba Diving, which gives the tourist a chance to be hypnotised by the life underwater. The Netrani Island which is located 20 kms from the city is also one of the best places in India for Scuba diving. The place is called as a coral island and hence its perfectly suited for snorkelling also.
Yet another attraction in this region is the Murdeshwar Fort which is said to be an architectural marvel. According to history, this fort was constructed in the ancient period of the Vijayanagara kings and is said to have been renovated by the ruler of Mysuru, Tipu Sultan. This structure is located behind the Murdeshwar temple.
Located in a town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district, Murdeshwar is easily accessible by bus, train and by air. The city is roaring with people and brightly lit throughout the festival of Mahashivaratri. This festival is performed here with great ardour and is truly a spectacle to watch. A visit to Murdeshwar is truly spiritually rewarding experience.
Image courtesy Vighnesh Acharya and Prajual Padmanabhan from Wikimedia Commons
