Murudeshwar
©
Murudeshwar

Murudeshwar

Arabian Sea temple town dominated by a giant Shiva statue and the coastal Konkan Railway.

Murudeshwar sits on a small peninsula jutting into the Arabian Sea in Uttara Kannada district, dominated by what was once claimed to be the world's tallest Shiva statue — a 37-metre figure that glitters in the direct sun. The Murudeshwara Temple at its base draws pilgrims year-round, and the view through the two massive gopurams toward the sea behind them is hard to beat.

The town is easy to reach on the Konkan Railway, which hugs the coast through spectacular scenery including a dramatic sea bridge near town. Most visitors combine it with a boat trip out to Netrani Island (also called Pigeon Island), one of Karnataka's better diving and snorkelling spots, about 19 km offshore. The beach in front of the temple is busy with fishing boats and afternoon walkers.

Guide

Getting There

Murudeshwar has its own railway station on the Konkan Railway line, which runs between Mumbai and Mangalore along the coast. The scenery on this route is extraordinary — the train crosses the sea at one point near Murudeshwar on a dramatic bridge. Trains from Goa take around three to four hours; from Mangalore, about two hours.

By road, Murudeshwar is about 65 km north of Bhatkal and 155 km north of Mangalore. The coastal highway (NH 66) passes through.

Guide

Things to Do

Murudeshwar is compact and the main draws are immediately apparent: the giant Shiva statue and temple on the hill, the beach below it, and the boat trip out to Netrani Island for diving or snorkelling. Most visitors spend one night.