Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna

Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – The Second Home to the Original Atma Linga. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – The Second Home to the Original Atma Linga MARCH 12, 2018 BY MADUR

The lovely little town of Gokarna in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka is famous for its pristine beaches and classical temples. The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is one amongst the most visited temples in the town. This shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This ancient temple in the state holds a revered space among pilgrims especially for the mythological legends and history associated with it. The temple also finds mentions in the Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The fact that the temple is deemed to be as pious as the pilgrimage town of Kashi in northern India has bestowed upon it the name of Dakshin Kashi (Kashi of the South). 2 km drive from Devasamudra beach stay and 20 minutes walk from the beach.

Yana

Yana is famous for these two massive rock outcrops known as the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara and the Mohini Shikhara (“Shikhara” means “hill”). The huge rocks are composed of solid black, crystalline karst limestone. Bhairaveshwara Shikhara is 120 metres (390 ft) in height, while the Mohini Shikhara, which is smaller, is 90 metres (300 ft) in height. Yana is also well known as a pilgrimage centre because of the cave temple below the Bhairaveshwara Shikhara where a Swayambhu (“self manifested”, or “that which is created by its own accord”) linga has been formed. Water drips from the roof over the linga, adding to the sanctity of the place

Mirjan Fort

According to the first historical version, Queen Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa (under the Vijayanagara Empire) was initially credited with building the Mirjan Fort in the 16th century. She ruled for 54 years and also lived in the fort. During her reign, the port at Mirjan, which is 32 kilometres (20 mi) to the south east of Karwar, was used for shipping pepper, saltpetre and betel nut to Surat. Gersoppa, a district annexed to Bednur, was famous for the pepper exported from this region. Consequently, the Portuguese gave the epithet “Rani, the Pepper queen” (“Rainha de Pimenta” in Portuguese) to the Queen of Gersoppa.

Murdeshwar

The Murudeswar town was earlier known as ‘Mrideshwara’. It was later renamed as Murudeshwar after the construction of the temple. Murudeshwara is famous abode of Lord Shiva and a popular pilgrimage center in South India. According to the legend, Ravana brought the Atma Lingam from Mount Kailash. Lord Ganesha using his trick fooled Ravana on his way to Lanka and put down the Linga on the ground at Gokarna. Angered by this, Ravana tried to uproot and destroy the Linga. The broken pieces of the lingam were cast away. The covering cloth of the lingam fell at Kanduka Giri and the Murudeshwar temple was built at the site.

Vibhuti Falls