Located
around 165km from Mangalore, the temple town of Murudeshwar is also
known for its picturesque beaches. Dotted with coconut and areca groves,
the Murudeshwar beach is surrounded by the sea to the west and
undulating hills to the east. While the sacred shrine is thronged by
devout worshippers, the beach is an ideal refuge for vacationers. The Murudeshwar temple situated atop a small hill called Kanduka Giri is a major tourist attraction. The temple is ornamented with Chalukya and Kadamba sculptures in the Dravidian style and is believed to be located on the spot where Ravana flung the cloth covering the Atmatlinga at Gosrakana while lifting it.
A huge 15 m. statue of Shiva towers over the town and has an overwhelming presence. The statue, which is only a couple of years old, is in a complex which encompasses the 500-year-old Shiva temple. The huge fort located nearby the temple is believed to be renovated by Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore.
