Murdeshwar

Murdeshwaris a village inUttara Kannadadistrict in the state ofKarnataka,India, and lies on the coast of theLaccadive Sea. It contains the world's third tallest Shiva statue, as well as the Murudeshwara Temple. The town has a railway station on theMangalore–MumbaiKonkan railwayroute.
The origin of the name "Murdeshwar" dates to the time ofRamayana. The Hindu gods attained immortality and invincibility by worshiping a divineLingacalled theAtma-Linga. TheLankaKingRavanawanted to attain immortality by obtaining the Atma-Linga (Soul of Shiva). Since theAtma-Lingabelonged toShiva, Ravana worshipped Shiva with devotion. Pleased by his prayers,Shivaappeared before him and asked him what he wanted. Ravana asked for theAtma-Linga.Shivaagreed to give him the boon on the condition that it should never be placed on the ground before he reaches Lanka. If theAtma-Lingawas ever placed on the ground, it would be impossible to move it. Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka.
Lord Vishnu, who learned of this incident, realised that with theAtma-Linga, Ravana may obtain immortality and wreak havoc on Earth. He approachedGaneshaand requested him to prevent theAtma-Lingafrom reaching Lanka.Ganeshaknew that Ravana was a very devoted person who performed prayer rituals every evening without fail. He decided to make use of this fact and came up with a plan to confiscate theAtma-Lingafrom Ravana.
As Ravana was nearingGokarna,Vishnublotted out the sun to give the appearance of dusk. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because, with theAtma-Lingain his hands, he would not be able to do his rituals. At this time,Ganeshain the disguise of aBrahminboy accosted him. Ravana requested him to hold theAtma-Lingauntil he performed his rituals, and asked him not to place it on the ground.Ganeshastruck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place theAtma-Lingaon the ground.
Ravana returned to find thatGaneshahad already placed theAtma-Lingaon the ground.Vishnuthen removed his illusion and it was daylight again. Ravana, realising that he had been tricked, tried to uproot and destroy the linga. Due to the force exerted by Ravana, some pieces were scattered. One such piece from the head of the linga is said to have fallen in present-daySurathkal. The Sadashiva temple is said to be built around that piece of linga. Then he decided to destroy the covering of theAtma-Linga, and threw the case covering it to a place calledSajjeshwar, 37 kilometers away. Then he threw the lid of the case to a place calledGuneshwar(now Gunavanthe) and Dhareshwar, 16-19 kilometers away. Finally, he threw the cloth covering theAtma-Lingato a place called Mrideshwar in Kanduka-Giri (Kanduka Hill). Mrideshwar has been renamed to Murdeshwar.
Murudeshwara Temple was built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of theLaccadive Sea. It is dedicated toShiva, and a 20-storied RajaGopurawas constructed at the temple in 2008. The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a view of the 123-feet Sri Shiva idol from the top of the Raja Gopura. There is also a Rameshwara linga at the bottom of the hill, where devotees can dosevathemselves. A Shaneswar temple has been built next to the idol ofSri Akshayaguna. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 209-feet-tall Raja Gopura, is one of the tallest.
There are statues of Sun Chariot on the side of a park, a pool, statues depicting Arjuna receivingGeetopadeshamfromLord Krishna, Ravana being deceived by Ganesha in disguise, Shiva's manifestation as Bhagirath, descending Ganga, carved around the hill.
The temple is entirely modernised with the exception of the sanctum sanctorum which is still dark and retains its composure. The main deity is Sri Mridesa Linga, also called Murudeshwara. The linga is believed to be a piece of the original Atma Linga and is about two feet below ground level. The devotees performing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava, etc., can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the sanctum, and the Linga is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests. The Linga is essentially a rough rock inside a hollowed spot in the ground. Entry into the sanctum is banned for all devotees.
A huge towering statue ofShiva, visible from great distances, is present in the temple complex. It is the third tallest statue ofShivain the world afterStatue of BeliefandKailashnath Mahadev Statue. The statue is 123 feet (37 m) in height and took about two years to build. The statue was built byShivamogga's Kashinath and several other sculptors, financed by businessman and philanthropistR. N. Shetty, at a cost of approximately₹50 million. The idol is designed such that it gets the sunlight directly and thus appears sparkling.