Mahabaleshwara Temple Gokarna

Mahabalashwara Temple,Gokarna

(Athma Linga Temple)

Gokarna is Religious and Historical also good Tourism Place, Series of Beaches located near Gokarna,Beach Lovers Enjoy the Gokarna Trip a lot.

There are five Very Popular Beaches near Gokarna KudleBeach ,OmBeach ,HalfMoon Beach ,FullMoon Beach or Paradise Beach, NirvanaBeach (You will find one more beach near Near MahabaleshwaraTemple called Gokarna Beach,View Exlussive Map of Gokarna Attractions)

Gokarna is a small temple town located on the western coast of India in Uttara Kannada district in the beautiful Indian state of Karnataka. Main temple and deity is Lord Shiva, also known as Mahabhaleshwara. This temple houses what is believed to be original image of Lord Shiva's lingam. There are many other temples all over this small town. Ankola and Kumta on Highway 17 are the main towns near Gokarna.

Gokarna is historically known as one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centers. Gokarna is located on what was once pristine unspoiled beach near estuary of river Aghanashini with its beautiful palm trees, other colorful tropical fruit and flower trees. Of late due to the numbers of tourists the character of this town has changed. This town is no longer just a center of pilgrimage though massive numbers of devotees still visit the town for the purposes of offering prayers and worship to Lord Shiva.

Due to its laid back unspoiled and rustic nature many younger western tourists started visiting Gokarna about a decade ago. The beaches around Gokarna were hardly used by the locals until these mainly Western tourists started coming to undeveloped beaches around Gokarna. Many enterprising locals started stores restaurants and now fully fledged resorts cater even to the well heeled tourists.

Gokarna is also an important centre of Sanskrit learning and houses Bhandikeri Math and Toggu Math. It is a place where Sanskrit knowledge is passed down from generations in Brahmin families. Many Hindus also perform the last rites of a person here.

Mahabaleshwar Temple (Maha: great, bal: strength) is a famous Shiva Temple and it houses the 'Atmalinga'. Named so after Ravana referred to the linga's great strength

It is situated at the western end of the main street. In the sanctuary is 'Athmalinga' in between the Saligrama Peethaa. The idol of Lord Mahabaleshwara is called Nagabharana. It is so named because of the Lord rests under the head of Naga (serpent). The floor of the hall in front has an intricate engraving of a giant tortoise.

Maha Ganapathi Temple built in honour of the boy Ganapathi, who deceived the demon Ravana. The deity here is two-armed, standing and at least 1500 years old.

Uma Maheshwara Temple

Bhadrakali Temple

Tamra Gauri Temple

Venkataramana Temple

Kotitheertha is a man-made tank that is used for immersion of idols and ritual bathing. It is surrounded by temples.

Shivaratri festival is celebrated here with great enthusiasm. The temple has two chariots - named locally as 'Dodda Ratha' (Dodda for Big in Kannada) and 'Sanna Ratha' (sanna for small in Kannada). Dodda Ratha is quite huge. While 'Sanna Ratha' is out in the open during winter and summer, the 'Dodda Ratha' is brought out and made ready only during Maha Shivaratri. On the last day of Maha Shivaratri festival the Lord Mahabaleshwara idol is carried in 'Dodda Ratha' in a procession through the town's big Car Street, while priests and pilgrims chant hymns in praise of Shiva. More than a hundred people are needed to pull the chariots with thick ropes while priests conduct religious ceremonies inside. During the nine-day Maha Shivaratri festival, the small town of Gokarna is visited by up to 20,000 pilgrims.

Clickhere to read Complete Details of Gokarna

Spot it on Google Maps

Click here to View Nearby Attractions

Nearest Cities: Sirsi, Kumta, Honnavar, Ankola,Karwar,Goa ,Yellapur

Distance from Gokarna Temple :

Sirsi – 80 km

Kumta – 35 km

Honnavara – 55 km

Ankola – 27 km

Karwar – 60 km

Yellapur – 78 km

Goa – 140 km 

Images