Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna

Deity

Lord Shiva (Atma Linga)

Timings

About 5 am–12 noon and 4–9 pm

Main festival

Maha Shivaratri (February/March)

Nearest airport

Dabolim, Goa (about 150 km)

Nearest railway station

Ankola (about 20 km)

The legend

According to the story, Ravana received the Atma Linga from Shiva on the condition that it must never be set down before he reached Lanka. Through Ganesha's trick, disguised as a young boy, the linga was placed on the ground at Gokarna, and Ravana could not pull it free however hard he tried. The name Mahabala, the one of great strength, comes from this. The temple is counted among the seven Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka and is linked in legend with the Murudeshwar shrine further down the coast.

What to see

In the sanctum only the top of the linga is visible through an opening in the pedestal. The full linga is exposed only at the Ashtabandha Kumbhabhishekam, a ceremony traditionally held about once in 40 years. Within the same complex is the Tamra Gowri shrine, and a short walk leads to other temples in the old town.

Festivals

Maha Shivaratri, in February or March, is the biggest event of the year. Large crowds arrive, and a huge wooden chariot carrying the deities is pulled through the streets to the beat of drums.

Timings and tips

The temple is usually open from about 5 am to noon, then again from 4 pm until 9 pm. Traditional dress is expected, and men may be asked to remove shirts before entering. Avoid the heavy monsoon months of July to September if you want to enjoy the beaches too.

How to reach

Dabolim Airport in Goa, roughly 150 km away, is the nearest airport, with a drive down NH 66. Ankola railway station, about 20 km from Gokarna, has better train connections than the small Gokarna Road station. Buses and cabs come from Goa, Mangaluru and Bengaluru. We can arrange a coastal Karnataka temple circuit including Murudeshwar and Udupi.

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