Murudeshwar Temple & Travel Guide - Giant Shiva Statue Visit
Visit Murudeshwar's 123ft Shiva statue, temple, beach & nearby attractions. Perfect weekend trip from Bangalore. Combine with scuba diving!
Murudeshwar is more than just a diving destination. This beautiful town in Karnataka has the famous Shiva statue, ancient temple, and peaceful beach. Here's your complete travel guide!
●Why Visit Murudeshwar?
Murudeshwar offers the perfect mix of:
- Spirituality: Famous Shiva temple
- Adventure: Scuba diving at Netrani Island
- Nature: Clean beach and sea views
- Culture: Traditional Karnataka experience
●The Famous Murudeshwar Temple
About the Temple
The Murudeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It sits on Kanduka Hill with beautiful views of the Arabian Sea.
Key Attractions
| Attraction | Height | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shiva Statue | 123 feet (37 meters) | Second tallest in the world |
| Raja Gopura | 249 feet (76 meters) | 20-floor tower with lift |
| Temple Hall | - | Ancient carvings and prayers |
| Statue Park | - | Sculptures from Ramayana |
Temple Timings
| Session | Timing |
|---|---|
| Morning | 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
| Evening | 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM |
Dress Code
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Full pants | Shorts |
| Sarees | Sleeveless tops |
| Covered shoulders | Beachwear |
| Traditional wear | Revealing clothes |
Carry a change of clothes if coming from the beach or after your scuba diving trip!
●Murudeshwar Beach
The beach is right next to the temple. It offers:
- Golden sand
- Clean water
- Views of Shiva statue
- Beautiful sunsets
Best Time to Visit Beach
| Time | Experience |
|---|---|
| 6:00 - 7:00 AM | Sunrise, peaceful |
| 5:30 - 6:30 PM | Sunset, beautiful |
| Avoid: 12:00 - 3:00 PM | Too hot |
Beach Activities
- Swimming (calm waters)
- Photography
- Shell collecting
- Walking
- Relaxing
●Places to Visit Near Murudeshwar
1. Statue Park (Near Temple)
- Sculptures from Ramayana
- Cave replicas
- Life-size god statues
- Free entry
2. Gokarna (80 km away)
- Famous beaches (Om Beach, Kudle Beach)
- Mahabaleshwar Temple
- Hippie cafes
- 1.5-hour drive
3. Mirjan Fort (60 km away)
- 16th-century ruins
- Beautiful riverside location
- Great for history lovers
- 1-hour drive
4. Kudlu Falls (40 km away)
- Beautiful waterfall
- Best after monsoon (Oct-Dec)
- Requires short trek
- 1-hour drive
●Where to Stay in Murudeshwar
Budget Hotels (₹800 - ₹1,500/night)
| Type | Location | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Guest houses | Near temple | Basic AC rooms |
| Budget hotels | Beach road | Walking distance to beach |
Mid-Range Hotels (₹1,500 - ₹3,000/night)
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Standard hotels | Sea view rooms, restaurant |
| Beach resorts | Pool, better amenities |
Premium Resorts (₹3,000+/night)
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Luxury resorts | Beach-facing, pool, spa |
| Boutique hotels | Premium service, fine dining |
●Where to Eat
Vegetarian Food (Temple Area)
The temple area is strictly vegetarian.
| Restaurant | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Naveen Beach Restaurant | Sea view, veg meals |
| Sri Ganesh Bhavan | South Indian breakfast |
| Hotel RNS | Multi-cuisine veg |
Non-Vegetarian Food (Outside Temple Zone)
| Food | Where to Find |
|---|---|
| Fish curry rice | Local restaurants |
| Prawn fry | Beach shacks |
| Crab masala | Seafood restaurants |
Must-Try Local Food
- Neer Dosa (rice crepe)
- Fish Curry
- Coconut Rice
- Solkadi (coconut milk drink)
●How to Reach Murudeshwar
From Bangalore (500 km)
| Transport | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 10-12 hours | ₹400-800 |
| Bus (KSRTC) | 9-10 hours | ₹600-1,000 |
| Car | 8-9 hours | Petrol cost |
From Mangalore (160 km)
| Transport | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 3-4 hours | ₹200-400 |
| Bus | 4 hours | ₹300-400 |
| Taxi | 3.5 hours | ₹3,500-4,500 |
Nearest Airport
Mangalore Airport (IXE) - 160 km away
●Sample Trip Plans
1-Day Trip
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Arrive in Murudeshwar |
| 7:30 AM | Scuba diving trip |
| 1:30 PM | Lunch |
| 3:00 PM | Temple and statue visit |
| 5:30 PM | Beach sunset |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner and depart |
2-Day Weekend Trip
Day 1:
- Morning: Arrive, visit temple
- Afternoon: Beach time
- Evening: Raja Gopura sunset view
Day 2:
- Morning: Scuba diving
- Afternoon: Statue park
- Evening: Return journey
3-Day Extended Trip
Day 1: Temple, beach, statue park Day 2: Scuba diving, relaxation Day 3: Gokarna day trip or Mirjan Fort
●Travel Tips
- Combine diving and temple - Dive in morning, temple in afternoon
- Carry modest clothes - For temple visit
- Book hotels early - Especially during festivals
- Try local food - Skip chain restaurants
- Respect local customs - Temple rules are strict
Check our guide on the best time to visit Murudeshwar for weather information.
●Related Articles
- Complete Scuba Diving Guide - Prices and booking
- Netrani Island Guide - The diving spot
- Best Time to Visit - Weather and seasons
- Beginner's Diving Guide - First-time tips
●Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Make your Murudeshwar trip complete with scuba diving!
Book Your Dive:
- 📞 Call: +91 78290 08264
- 💬 WhatsApp: Message Us
- 🌐 Book Online: Scuba Diving Packages
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