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Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is a cave temple located in the natural surroundings of Kempegowda in Bangalore. The temple is situated in the capital city of Karnataka, Bangalore. Due to its location within a cave, the temple is also known as the Gavipuram Cave Temple.

Dedicated to Lord Agni, the god of fire in Hindu mythology, Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple (Bangalore) Karnataka is one of the distinguishing temples of South India. The temple also houses a large Shiva Lingam and Lord Shiva is worshipped with great pomp and glamour. While the deity of Lord Agni is an amazing piece of religious architecture with a couple of heads, seven heads and three legs, the Shiva Lingum is an impressive monolithic idol.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple (Bangalore) Karnataka is a heritage site of Karnataka and protected under Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments, and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1961.  Built in the 16th century, the temple exhibits unique rock-cut architecture of India. While the two giant stone discs within the temple premises represent the sun and the moon, the exact location of the discs permits direct sun rays to fall on the temple at a certain phase of the day. The engraved shikharas of the Shiva temple also demands your attention with its grace.

One of the oldest temples of Bangalore, the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is majorly constructed of granite and has four monolithic pillars. This temple is known for its architectural excellence.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

History and Legend of Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

The ancient shrine of Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple narrates the golden history of ancient India.

  • It is believed that the temple was carved out of a rock in the 9th Saint Gowthama took shelter in this cave to perform penance.
  • Later in the 16th century, Kempegowda reconstructed this temple. He was the founder of Bangalore and he revamped the shrine to show his gratitude towards Lord Shiva after he was released from prison; Kempegowda was imprisoned by Rama Raya for five years.
  • The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is considered to be miraculous as the devotee who looks at Lord Agni at the temple is believed to be cured of all eye sight problems.
  • Another myth related to the temple is that there are two channels going through the sanctum. One of the tunnels extends to the city of Varanasi while the other is directed towards the Gangadhareshwara temple, which is situated at the Shivagange Hilltop, approximately 10 kilometers from the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple.
  • It is also believed that the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple was previously known as Gowthama Kshetra, as the saint is said to have performed penance here.

Significance of the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is a landmark in the religious map of Karnataka.

  • The temple is associated with a miraculous phenomenon. On the festive day of Makar Sankranti, the interior of the shrine is illuminated with the sun rays during sunset; this light stays for one hour.
  • The Shiva Lingum represents the monolithic style of architecture. The sculpture of Lord Agni is also unique, believed to be only one of its kind in entire South India.
  • There are numerous sculptures within the cave temple. The temple yard houses the Damaruga, that is, a drum, the large sun and moon discs and idol of Nandi, vahana of Lord Shiva.
  • The long passage of the temple is adorned with sculptures of Saptamatrika, Sri Devi and Bhudevi.
  • There are also small shrines of Lord Ganapati, Goddess Parvati and Ma Durga. These deities come with twelve hands.
  • Moreover, it is one of the rare temples of Bangalore, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple Timings

Devotees can visit the temple throughout the year. But if you want to experience the miracle of sunlight, then January (usually 14th) is the best time to visit the temple.

  • The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is open every day.
  • Visitors are allowed within the temple from 6 am in the morning to 12.30 pm.
  • Again devotees can enter the temple from 5 pm to 8 pm in the evening.

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple Food Timings

Though there is no facility of lunch or dinner at the temple, devotees are offered ‘prasada’ after worship of the God. The prasada is offered both in the morning and evening and constitutes mainly fruits.

Dress code at Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

If you are visiting Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple, then it is best to wear traditional Indian dress. Footwear is also not allowed within the temple.

Festivals celebrated at the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

The Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is known for its festivities, which reflect the true colors of South Indian culture and traditions.

  • Makar Sankranti festival: Celebrated at the month of January, this festival is marked by the presence of thousands of devotees. The crowd is there to check out the amazing phenomenon, where the sunrays at the dusk pass through the horns of the stone idol of Nandi to fall directly on the Shiva Lingum inside the shrine. This phenomenon takes place between 5 pm and 6 pm.
  • Shivaratri Festival: This is another important festival of the temple. Thousands of pilgrim line up in front of the temple to bathe Lord Shiva with milk at all the four phases of the day. The festival takes place every year in the month of February or March.

Poojas and Rituals at Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple

Devotees can witness unique customs and rituals of worship at the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple.

  • Besides the daily pooja, devotees can ask for special offerings.
  • A curtain guards the passage of the temple during Mangal aarti.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple is located in the capital city of Karnataka and hence is easily accessible from all parts of the state and other states.

  • By Air: The international airport of Bangalore is the nearest airport to the temple. The domestic terminal of Bangalore is also located here. The airport is located approximately at 38 kilometers from the temple. There are many types of transport facilities available outside the airport, like taxis, bus and auto rickshaws which can take you to the temple.
  • By Train: The Bangalore railway station has several trains plying to and fro, linking the temple to the other cities and states of the country. The railway station is located 5 kilometers from the temple. Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Gurgaon and Hyderabad are directly connected to the city via rails.
  • By Road: The local buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws can take you from the railway station, airport or other parts of the two directly to the temple. The temple is located 13 kilometers from the bus stop.

Hotels in Kempegowda: Where to stay

There are multiple hotels located near the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple. While some offer budget accommodations, the others are premium hotels with modern amenities. Clarks Exotica Airport Hotel, Best Western La Marvella, 31 South Park Hotel and Bangalore Gate Hotel are some of the stay options near the temple.

Where to eat

There are a number of hotels around the temple. These hotels generally serve vegetarian food, as most of the devotees prefer to have vegetarian food after pooja. These food stalls are hygienic and the food is quite tasty. You can get low-cost food here.

But if you are looking for non-vegetarian food, then there are several food joints around the city that can provide you with a wide array of food.

Nearby Temples

There are several temples located near the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple.

  • Bull Temple: Dedicated to Nandi, the Vahana of Lord Shiva, this temple is located at Basavanagudi. Constructed in the 16th century, this temple exhibits one of the largest statues of Nandi; 15 feet high.
  • ISKCON Temple: Dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha, it is one of the spectacular temples of the city. The gold plated Dwajastambha and Kalash Shikhara specially draw your attention.
  • Gangamma Devi Temple: dedicated to Goddess Ganga, this temple is another shrine of the 16th Devotees can perform different havans at the temple premises.
  • The Dodda Ganesha Temple is another popular temple of the town. While the large, 18 feet statue of Lord Ganesha is believed to be growing on its right side, the idol is impressive with stunning decorations.
  • Sri Kalika Durga Parameshwari Temple: Dedicated to Goddess Kalika Durga Parameshwari, this temple is situated at Vidyaranapura of Bangalore. The Mahabhishekham performed very Sunday is one of the major attractions of the shrine. Hence, be at Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple to the witness of the architectural wonders of India.

Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Mangaladevi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Adi Parashakti is in Mangalore, Karnataka. The city has its name after Mangalapura and eventually became famous as Mangalore or Mangaluru. People believe that worshipping Goddess Mangaladevi will grant you success and prosperity in any new ventures and will protect one against evil influences.

Mangaladevi Temple – Facts

DeityGoddess Mangaladevi
LocationMangalore, Karnataka
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to Visit October to March
Darshan Timings6:00 AM to 8:30 PM
PoojasPushpanjali Pooja, Devi Mahaatme Parayana, Rudra Abhishekam
FestivalsNavratri, Ugadi, Annual Temple Festival
Mangaladevi Temple, Mangalore, Video

What are the timings of Mangaladevi Temple?

Here are the darshan timings of the Mangaladevi Temple:

RitualsFromTo
Morning Darshan6:00 AM1:00 PM
Evening Darshan4:00 PM8:30 PM

There are several poojas that take place during the given darshan timings. Devotees can participate in these poojas during the timings mentioned below.

RitualsTiming
Morning Pooja6:00 AM
Afternoon Pooja1:00 PM
Evening Pooja8:30 PM

What are the poojas and sevas performed at Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangaladevi Temple Pooja
Thousands of devotees throng the temple to see the procession during the pooja.

A devotee can perform around 42 types of Poojas and Sevas in the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore.

  • Devi Mahaatme Parayana: The priest recites the verses from the Devi Mahaatme, a set of hymns and shlokas describing the greatness of the Goddess.
  • Ashtotthara Archana: The priest recites 108 names of the Goddess along with the offering of the Kumkum on behalf of the devotee.
  • Thrishathi Archana: The priest recites 300 names of the Goddess in front of the Goddess on behalf of the devotee.
  • Pushpanjali Pooja: This includes decoration of the Goddess with flowers and recitation of shlokas in praise of her by offering flowers one by one on behalf of the devotee.
  • Thrimadhura Naivedyam: The priest offers Sugar, Honey, and Butter to the Goddess as Bhog or Naivedyam for the day on behalf of the devotee.
  • Panchamrutha Abhisheka: The priest bathes the deity with five holy “Amrit” or Nectar. They are Milk, Honey, Curd, Sugar, and Ghee.
  • Rudrabhishekam: The Pooja is for Lord Shiva who is worshipped as fire or Rudra. The puja wipes out all sins and purifies the atmosphere. It also removes all sorts of planetary related ill-occurrences. The Mondays of the month, as well as the Pradosham days, are ideal for performing the Pooja.
  • Ranga Pooja: This includes worshipping the Goddess with either 24 rows of Deepams or with 64 rows of Deepams on behalf of the devotee.
  • Naga Thambila: The priest bathes the deity Lord Subrahmanya, who is the “Protector of Snakes” with Panchamrit that is with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.

Wedding ceremonies also take place at the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore Hall. For bookings check the official website of the temple, given below.

Some other Poojas include:

  • Vidyarambha: The couples with children of age 2 – 5 can perform the Seva as a start to the education of their children. The performing of this ritual is special because the presiding deity Sri Mangaladevi is the Goddess of intelligence and knowledge.
  • Sathyanarayana Pooja: The Pooja is for to Lord Vishnu. The Pooja can take place on any day but is extremely auspicious to perform it on the eve of Chithra Pournami. Devotees perform it to attain peace, prosperity, to remove obstacles and to be free from the negative thoughts. The Pooja usually begins with Ganapathi Pooja and then the Navagraha Pooja.
  • Chandika Yagna: The Chandika Homam requires the presence of 7 priests. They chant the 700 verses and hymns from the Devi Mahatmayam. Offerings of the Payasam (sweet pudding or Kheer) are made to Agni during the chantings.
  • Tulabhara Seva: This Seva includes the devotee sitting on one side of the Tula or the weighing balance. On the other side, offerings are arranged until the weight of the devotee and the offerings balance themselves. The offerings are then donated to the Temple.
  • Silver Palanquin Pooja: In this Pooja, the idol of the Goddess is taken around the temple premises in a silver palanquin and worshipped amidst chants and hymns.
  • Vahana Pooja: The devotees can also do the Vahana Pooja, in which new vehicles are decorated and the Goddess is worshipped to bless the journeys in them.
  • Dodda Rathotsava: The Goddess is taken around the Temple Complex in the big Chariot or Ratha on behalf of the Temple.

What is the significance of the Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangaladevi Shrine
The idol of Goddess Mangaladevi.

The significance of the Mangaladevi Temple is that the deity of the Mangaladevi Temple is a figure of the Goddess holding a Dharapatra and a Linga. The Linga symbolizes the destructive power of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti.  Devotees believe that the main shrine is as old as the Treta Yuga.

The Mangaladevi Temple’s historical importance resulted in the naming of the place itself as Mangalapura. In present times, the city of Mangalore gets its name from the Goddess of Mangalapura or Mangalore.

Mangaladhara Vrata is a unique ritualistic fast observed by the devotees of Goddess Mangaladevi. This Vrata is kept by maidens to find a suitable match for marriage for them. This Vrata is also called Swayamvara Parvathi.

What is the history of Mangaladevi Temple?

As per the history of Mangaladevi Temple, the origin of the Mangaladevi Temple runs back to a demon Vikhasini who was Hiranyakashyapu’s daughter. She waged a war against the Devaloka and Lord Indra. Though the demon army was strong, Indra defeated them in a fierce battle.

Hence, it shattered Vikhasini’s ambition of commanding the Devaloka and she realized that she needed God’s grace to enhance her powers.

She wanted a son with the Gods who would be highly powerful and competent enough to avenge Lord Vishnu and destroy him as revenge for Vikhasini’s father’s death. So She performed severe penance and gained the attention of Lord Brahma. Eventually, He asked her to wish for a boon. She wished for a son who would slay Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma refused to state that the holy trinity is immortal. However, he said that she will attain a son from Lord Shiva who will be brave and invincible.

Narada and Lord Brahma visited Kailash and warned Lord Shiva of future developments. Lord Shiva along with Parvati, Lord Brahma, Narada, and Goddess Saraswati went to Vaikuntam and expressed their anger in front of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu however, calmed them by saying that everything will be rectified when the time comes.

Vikhasini disguised herself as Goddess Parvati and lured Lord Shiva into submission. After the act, she left for her kingdom and during the journey; she feared that the Devatas will harm her son. She asked Bhoodevi (Goddess Earth) and with her permission, buried her fetus inside the Earth. Eventually, as time passed, a great demon was born and was named Andasura by Vikhasini. She told Andasura about the fate of Hiranyakashyapa and asked him to seek revenge by killing Lord Vishnu.

The legend continues…

He attacked the Devaloka and destroyed anything that came in his path.  Then the holy trinity gathered and asked the Supreme mother, Adi Parashakti for help. She agreed to help her children and asked them for their weapons. So Lord Brahma gave his Danda, Lord Vishnu gave his Chakra and Lord Shiva gave his Trident to Goddess Adi Parashakti. She merged Lord Shiva’s power of destruction with her and acquired his third eye.

Meanwhile, Andasura roamed through the Devaloka in search of Lord Vishnu. Narada directed him to a place where Goddess Parashakti, disguised as a beautiful and captivating maiden was waiting for him. Seeing her, the demon came close to her and misbehaved. At an opportunistic moment, Goddess Adi Parashakti slew him with the trident.

She also addressed his children from the spot that in the Treta Yuga, “Lord Vishnu will incarnate as Parashurama and slay the 21 generations of evil Kshatriyas. He will retrieve the land from Lord Varuna and the spot where he will do penance will be where I killed Andasura. He will build a shrine with a Linga and a Dharapatra”.

After several centuries, the legend continues through Veerabahu, the king of Tulunadu. He did not have any son so he made Bangaraja as his successor. Bangaraja ruled his kingdom well and brought immense prosperity to the region. Goddess Mangaladevi appeared in his dreams and informed him that the shrine’s remains are there under a mound where the Nethravati and the Phalguni rivers intersect.

Bangaraja along with Saint Bharadhwaja rediscovered the shrine and constructed a small temple around it. However, nature took its course hid the temple amid abundant vegetation of the surrounding forests.

What is the architecture of the Mangaladevi Temple?

The Mangaladevi Temple architecture resembles a Kerala style of construction. Huge stones form the walls of the temple. Intricate carvings are also there on the inner walls of the Mandapam. The Gopuram has two stories. The area within the rectangular walls around the Temple is Kshetra – Madiluka. All the shrines are present inside this Kshetra.

The Dhwajasthambam is directly in front of the main entrance. A Deepasthamba is inside the temple complex with figures of the 8 Dwarapalikas around it. The Mangaladevi Temple also has a clean complex with all the modern facilities available to the pilgrims.

The origin of the Mangaladevi Temple has two different versions. Some believe that the 9th-century Ahepa King Kundavarman built the temple while others believe that Kundavarman just discovered a pre-existing temple and extended the shrine by building several additions. Some people believe the Ballal family of Attavar built the temple to commemorate a fallen Malabar princess.

The official website of the temple is: http://www.mangaladevitemple.com/

What is the dress code at Mangaladevi Temple?

The Mangaladevi Temple administration has not imposed any strict dress code. However, it is recommended to wear decent clothes in the temple premises. Shorts, miniskirts, and beachwear are to be avoided.

What are the festivals celebrated at Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangaldevi Temple Festival
The temple is lit up for the celebration of various festivals.

Some of the festivals celebrated at Mangaladevi Temple are:

  • Navratri: A large number of devotees visit the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore from Karnataka and surrounding states to witness and receive the blessings of the Goddess. The Navarathri festival lasts for 9 days ending with Vijayadasami on the tenth day. The Lalita Panchami, Mahanavami Rathotsava, and Vijayadasami Vidyarambha are the special days during the Navratri period. The Chandika Homam, Ranga Pooja, and Rathotsava are the special poojas that take place for the Goddess Navami. Also, the practice of Vidyarambha meaning the “initiation of knowledge” for kids takes place on the Vijayadasami. Then the Sathyanarayana Pooja and the Avabrutha Mangal Snaan takes place on the two days after Vijayadasami. The Ayudha Pooja takes place on the eighth day of the festival when devotees worship all the weapons of the Goddess.
  • Laksha Deepothsava: The festival occurs in the month of Karthik that usually falls in November – December. Devotees light around one lakh lamps (Laksha Deepams) in honour of the Goddess and decorate the whole Temple with it.
  • Annual Temple Festival: The annual festival of the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore begins in the month of March. Devotees perform several poojas and abhishekams for the Goddess. They also take the Utsava Moorthy or the idol around the Temple premises in different vehicles or Vahanas and worship it.

Besides these festivals, Ugadi, Mahashivaratri, and Ganesh Chaturthi are also important festivals in the Mangaladevi Temple Mangalore.

How to reach the Mangaladevi Temple?

Here’s how to reach Mangaladevi Temple:

  • Air: Mangalore connects to many places via Bajpe International Airport, at a distance of 10 km from the city centre.
  • Train: There are two main stations in Mangalore – Mangalore Junction and Mangalore Central.
  • Road: One can board buses from Bengaluru, Goa, Chennai, Karwar, Pune, and Mysore.

Where to stay near Mangaladevi Temple?

A large number of private hotels are available for accommodating pilgrims and tourists alike. The rooms may range from standard to AC suites in five-star hotels. A large number of Government offices also operate guest houses in the city which one can contact and book.

Mangalore is a coastal city and offers beautiful beaches. Hence, resorts are abundant here.

Where to eat near Mangaladevi Temple?

Mangalore is bustling with restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines like Konkani, Seafood, Mughlai, North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Italian, and Thai. Several popular food joints are Hotel Narayana for Seafood, Hotel Guthu for authentic local cuisine and chutneys for North Indian Vegetarian and Giri Manjas for Seafood.

What are some of the temples near Mangaladevi Temple?

How to reach Mangaladevi Temple
There are several beautiful temples in the city of Mangalore.

Some of the temples near Mangaladevi Temple are:

  • Kadri Manjunath Temple: The temple is about 4 km from the city centre. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Manjunathaswamy, a form of Lord Shiva. The temple is one of the most popular spots in Mangalore and dates back to 1068 AD. The idol of Lord Manjunathaswany is the oldest representation of Lord Shiva in South India. The hill behind the temple is home to the Jogimutt and the Pandava caves.
  • Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple: The temple is for Lord Ganapathi and dates back to 800 years. The temple finds mention in several Puranas like the Sthalapurana. Further, Sri Dashabhuja Mahaganapati, Sri Sharabeshwara, and Siddhi Lakshmi are the presiding deities of the temple. Its legends also relate to the legendary Tipu Sultan and his conquest of Karnataka.
  • Gokarnanatheshwara Temple: The temple is for Lord Gokarnanatheshwara, another form of Lord Shiva and is in Kudroli, 5 km away from the city centre. The Saint Sri Narayana Guru consecrated the Shiva Linga at the temple in 1912. Several additions and renovations also took place recently. Moreover, the Gopuram is 60 feet high and has beautiful divine sculptures depicting several Gods and Goddesses.
  • Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple: The famous shrine dedicated to Sri Durga Parameshwari is in Kateel, 26 km from Mangalore. The temple is on the banks of the River Nandini. Several legends associate with the temple, which also finds mention in the Puranas themselves. Devotees can also perform sevas like Annadanam, Vidyarambha, and Yakshagana in the temple.
  • Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple: The temple is just 12 km away from the Mangalore city centre. The presiding deities are Lord Anantha (Lord Shiva) and Lord Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu). Moreover, the temple is famous for serpent worship. The deity, Sri Anantha Padmanabha faces west. The temple complex also consists of a Naga Bana (place for serpent worship) and several smaller shrines for Jarandaya, Goddess Shree Devi, Lord Subrahmanya and Lord Ganapathi.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mangaladevi Temple

Is the Mangaladevi Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Mangaladevi Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Mangaladevi Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

What is the weather like during the summer?

The summers in Mangalore starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 42 º C.

What are winters like in Mangalore?

In Mangalore, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 20 º C to 30 º C. The weather during this time is warm and pleasant.

If you have any questions about the Mangaladevi Temple, please leave your comment below and we will get back to you within one hour.

Keshava Temple Somanathapura Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Keshava Temple Somanathapura is one of the most famous shrines of Karnataka, situated at the Mysore district. The holy Cauvery River passes by the small village of Somanathapura, while the lush greenery encircling the temple let prayers come deep from your heart at the serene environment.

As you enter the porch of the Keshava Temple Somanathapura, you are no more in modern India. The perfect carvings and well-defined sculptures take you back in time when South Indian temple architecture was at its peak. The Keshava Temple is one of the most well-preserved temples of the Hoysala reign.

Keshava Temple

History and Legend of Keshava Temple Somanathapura

The glorious history of Karnataka is treasured at the Keshava Temple.

  • The Hoysala Kingdom was one of the most prominent dynasties of South India. Their kingdom ranged from Karnataka, to Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. South Indian art and architecture flourished during the reign of the Hoysala dynasty.
  • The Keshava Temple was constructed by General Somanatha of the Hoysala monarch, Narasimha III. The temple hence is also known as the Somanatha Temple.
  • The temple was built during the 1254 – 1291 AD. The inscriptions engraved on a slab outside the temple during 1269 – 1550 AD provide detailed information about the time of construction of the Keshava Temple.
  • It is believed that the Keshava Temple was the last major temple built by the Hoysala dynasty.
  • As per the information of Archaeological Survey of India, the original idol of Lord Keshava went missing and later it was replaced.
  • One of the myths state that the deities were removed from the temple by the Britishers and taken away.

Significance of the Keshava Temple Somanathapura

The Keshava Temple of Somanathapura is a must-visit for historians and tourists who wish to get back to the golden time of Indian architecture.

  • The Keshava Temple is an epitome of Hoysala architecture. Even the platform of the temple is unique in a star shaped layout. This layout is significant as it is believed that it was used for ‘pradakshina’ that is for circumambulation of the temple, a mandatory ritual of Hinduism and Buddhism.
  • The Keshava temple represents the Trikutchala form. There are three sanctums to the north, south and west of the temple. There are three antaralas and a navarang within the temple.
  • The Keshava temple is known for its fine carvings both at the interiors and exterior walls. Even the ceilings and the doors depict marvellous ornamentation.
  • The ceilings of the Keshava temple depict sixteen different types of Hoysala art and hence are no less than pieces of gems.
  • There is a relief sculpture of Narasimha on the outer wall of the Keshava Temple.
  • The images of Keshava, Venugopala and Janardhana adorn the ceiling of the sanctums and are surrounded by spectacular shikara images.
  • While the central sanctum is dedicated to Lord Keshava, the southern sanctum houses the deity of Lord Venugopala and the northern sanctum has the idol of Lord Janardhana.
  • Some of the fine sculptures found at the Keshava Temple are that of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswati.
  • There are also images of mythological figures and demons within the temple, like that of Rati, Manmatha and Mahisasura.
  • The Keshava Temple was built within a massive enclosure over a raised platform. This shrine comes with sixty four cells.
  • The basement of the outer wall of the exhibits friezes of finely carved elephants, scrolls, scenes from Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and mythological stories, legends and folklores. All the events are sculpted in a clockwise direction, that is, in the direction of ‘pradakshina.’
  • Visitors can get a vivid picture of the religious beliefs of Hinduism as the images of gods and goddesses along with their vahanas remain frozen at the walls of the Keshava temple.
  • The presence of the line of elephants at the lowest course of the basement is symbolic as it presents that the elephants are carrying the burden of temple on their backs.
  • The battle field of the Hoysala times is depicted by the horse riding soldiers tampering the fallen warriors.
  • The daily life of ancient Karnataka
  • Another important fact about the Keshava temple is that you can get names of some of the sculptors engraved at the pedestals of the sculptures, like that of Mallithamma, Masanathamma, Chameya and Bhameya. From these details it can derived that Mallithamma is sculptor for most of the images and also have constructed the northern shikara of the Janardhana cell.
  • The seven feet tall stone slab which stores inscriptions in Kannada language related to the construction and upkeep of the Keshava Temple is also embellished with intricate cravings.
  • The rock windows of Keshava temple are amazing. While these rock cut windows provide ample amount of sunlight to enter the shrine, the lathe turned pillars characterise the Hoysala temples.
  • The entire temple is cloistered and it is believed that the numerous cells within the temple complex used to have idols of different deities of Hindu religion.
  • The southern colonnade consists of typical lathe tuned pillars while the northern colonnade is a mix of simple and lathe turned pillars. The western colonnade has just one lathe turned pillar and the rest are simple. This is just one asymmetrical flaw that is found in the planned complex of the Keshava Temple.
  • There is a red post box within the temple complex, attached to a large tree. If a visitor posts postcard in the box, it would be stamped with a unique Somanathapura stamp, which is one of its kind in the whole world.

Keshava Temple Somanathapura Timings

  • Keshava temple is open for visitors from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
  • It is advised to visit the temple during early morning hours as you need to walk throughout the temple bare footed.
  • Winters are the best time to visit the temple to avoid the scorching heat of the sun.
  • If you visit the temple just after the monsoons, you can also check out the enchanting beauty of the nearby Shivanasamudra waterfalls.

Keshava Temple Food Timings

As the Keshava Temple is just a sightseeing spot and is not functional at present, hence there is no arrangement of food or prasada at the temple.

Dress Code at Keshava Temple

Though there is no particular dress code to enter the Keshava Temple complex, there are restrictions related to footwear. Tourists need to keep their footwear outside the temple complex.

Festivals celebrated at the Keshava Temple

Keshava Temple bears the history of the 12th century Hoysala kingdom and it is no more used for worship. Hence at present there are no festivals that take place at this temple complex.

Poojas and Rituals at Keshava Temple Somanathapura

The Keshava Temple is a major sightseeing place at Karnataka. Worship of the deities does not take place here and hence visitors have no scope to witness any rituals and pooja at this temple complex.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

By Air: The Bangalore international airport is the nearest airport to Somanathapura.

By Train: the nearest railway station to the Keshava Temple is the Mysore rail head. You can get frequent trains from Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi to Mysore. From Mysore railway station tourists can avail taxis to the Keshava Temple.

By Road: By road the Keshava temple is almost 2 hrs from Bangalore, lying at 180 km from the capital city. You can avail taxis to get to the site. The Maddur- Malavalli- Bannur- Somnathapura road is the best way to reach the Keshava Temple. Tourists travelling by road are advised to take the Malavalli road from Maddur, then a right turn from the Malavalli City Junction that goes towards Bannur. From the main junction at Bannur, a left turn takes the visitors to the temple.

Tourists can also opt for the Bangalore- Mysore road and take a diversion Srirangapatana bridge. The Keshava Temple is approximately 50 km from the district headquarters of Mysore. There are a number of private buses that ply between Mysore and Somnathapura, but it is advisable to visit the place via private cars as you have many sites to visit around the Keshava Temple.

Hotels in Somanathapura: Where to stay

Accommodation facilities are not available at Somanathapura. Tourists are suggested to stay at Bangalore or Mysore. United 21, Mysore, Regaalis Mysore, Hotel Dasaprakash, Mannars Residency, the Quorum, Royal Orchid Metropole are some of popular hotels located near the Keshava Temple. From budget to premium rooms, all types of rooms are available here.

Where to eat

There are no such restaurants near the Keshava temple. Tourists can have coffee, tea and cold drinks at a nearby canteen. Restaurants are available near T Narsipura. If you are travelling by road, you will also find some eateries on the Mysore road, serving authentic South Indian cuisines.

Nearby Temples

The district of Mysore is known for its quaint villages, each one treasuring a marvellous temple. Some of the nearby temples that you can check out on the way to the Keshava temple are:

  • Chennakesava Temple, Belur: One of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture, the Chennakesava Temple is located near to the Keshava Temple. Life seems to be frozen in the stone sculptures of gods, goddesses and mythological figures of this shrine.
  • Nanjanagudu: Lying on the banks of River Kapila, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is historically important as it is believed that the Shiva Lingum of the temple was placed by the famous Rishi Gauthama and was also worshipped by Parashurama when he was on his journey to cleanse his sin of killing his mother.
  • Talkadu– Located at 25 km from Somanathapura, this place lies at the banks of River Cauvery. Lord Shiva in the form of Vaidyanatheswara is worshipped here. The place is also famous for its sand dunes. It is believed that several temples are still buried under the sand dunes. Some of the famous temples found here are the Pateleshwara Temple, Viadeyshwara Temple, Maruleshwara, Kritinarayana, Gourishankara and Anandeshwara Temples. An interesting fact is that the Shiva Lingum of Pateleshwara Temple changes colour; it is red in the morning, black in the afternoon and white in the evening.
  • Sri Rudra Devasthana, Vijayapura: This temple is known to fulfil the good desires of the devotees and numerous pilgrims visit the temple every year to attain salvation, wealth, cure diseases and gain knowledge. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
  • Sri Varadaraja Temple, Hammige: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple comes with a rich history.
  • Tirumakudal Narasipura: Located at the Mysore district, this site is famous for Kumbhmela at South India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is worshipped in the form of two Shiva Lingums, Someshwara and Markandeshwara.
  • Vishvanatha Temple, Krishnapura: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also consists of a chapel near it. Hence this quaint, ebony tree fringed village quietly preaches the message of unity among diversity. The place also has the Krishnapur Matha, one of the eight mathas established by Sri Madhavacharya, one of the famous Dvaita philosophers.
  • Ranganatha Temple, Sriranga Patna: Located at the Mysore district, this temple was built by the Ganga dynasty of the Vaishnavite cult. The temple showcases a blended architectural style of Hoysala and Vijaynagara temple designs.

Hence visit Keshava temple this vacation to witness how stone gained life in the expert hands of Indian artisans during the golden days of Indian architecture.

Hoysaleswara Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Hoysaleswara Temple of Halebeedu is another masterpiece of Indian temple architecture. Located at the banks of an enchanting lake, this temple is encircled with manicured gardens, while the atmosphere is serene. The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and exhibits Hoysala architectural style.

History and Legend of Hoysaleswara Temple

The Hoysaleswara temple of Halebeedu narrates the glorious history of ancient India and hence is a must-visit.

  • Temple was constructed in the 12th century, within the time period of 1120 CE and 1150 CE.
  • Temple was built by the Hoysala ruler King Vishnuvardhana. It is believed that the temple was named Hoysaleswara Temple after Vishnuvardhana Hoysaleswara.
  • When the Hoysaleswara temple was built the place was known as Dwarasamudra.
  • Temple was ransacked twice by the Delhi sultans in the 14th This led to the name of the city as Haldebeedu, which means the ruined city.
  • The construction of the Hoysaleswara temple was financed by the Shaivas (devotees of Lord Shiva).
  • It is believed that the Chennakesava Temple was built during this time and was a Vaishnava temple. The Hoysaleswara temple was constructed by the Shaivas as a competition to the Chennakesava Temple.

Significance of the Hoysaleswara Temple

Hoysaleswara temple is known for its exquisite architecture and is one of the important temples of South India.

  • Hoysaleswara temple is one of the largest temples of Lord Shiva in South India.
  • The temple structure of the Hoysaleswara temple is considered to be very complex due to the presence of projections and recesses.
  • While the exteriors of the temple are adorned with fine sculptures, the interiors of the temple are comparatively simple.
  • The temple complex has couple of temples within it; one is dedicated to Hoysaleswara and the other is dedicated to Shantaladevi, the queen of King Vishnuvardhana, who built the temple. The temples consist of Shiva Lingum.
  • There are other shrines within the temple complex, dedicated to other gods and goddesses. One of the shrines is dedicated to the Sun God. This temple has 7 feet tall statue of the Sun God along with a massive stone bull (Nandi, the Vahana of Lord Shiva).
  • Another marvel of the Hoysaleswara temple is the set of sculptures of Lord Ganesha. While the right part of the external wall of the temple starts with an image of a dancing Ganesha, there are almost 240 images of Lord Ganesha in different poses.
  • The four pillars which lie within the temple are characterized with images of Madanika, within brackets.
  • The Garuda Pillar is an important part of the temple. Garudas refer to the bodyguards of the monarchs and their queens. These inseparable guards used to commit suicide with the death of their master. This complete story is depicted at the Garuda Pillar, where the guards are seen cutting their heads with knives. There is also an inscription engraved over the pillar which commemorates the death of one such guard, Kuruva Lakshma, the bodyguard of Veera Ballala II.
  • The ceiling of the temple is also unique. Known as Sunakasi, this part of the temple is decorated with miniature roofs and attics which are in a ruined state.
  • The layout of the Hoysaleswara temple is also well defined and hence every sculpture is easily visible.
  • The museum within the temple complex is another important part of the site. This is a treasure house of the excavated sculptures, wooden handicrafts, maps and photos of the deities and the temples.

Hoysaleswara Temple Timings

  • Hoysaleswara Temple opens at 6:30 am and closes at 9:00 pm.
  • Tourists can visit any time of the year to the Hoysaleswara Temple.
  • The museum located at the temple premises is open only Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm.

Hoysaleswara Temple Food Timings

Hoysaleswara Temple is open to tourists for sightseeing and the deities are not worshiped here. Hence there is no ritual of serving ‘Prasada.’

Dress Code of Hoysaleswara Temple

  • Tourists are suggested to be in long dresses to maintain the decorum of the temple. As the weather is hot here, hence light-colored dresses are preferred.
  • Shoes have to be kept outside the temple premises. There is a shoe keeper at the entrance where you can keep your shoes for a nominal rate.

Festivals celebrated here

Hoysaleswara Temple is visited by tourists for its spectacular architecture and festivals do not take place at its premises.

Poojas and Rituals at Hoysaleswara Temple

The deities of Hoysaleswara temple are not worshipped at present and hence no pooja or rituals take place here.

How to reach: Road, Rail and Air

The Hoysaleswara temple is easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The Mangalore airport is the nearest airport to the Hoysaleswara Temple, located almost 168 km from the temple. This domestic terminal is approximately 222 km from the international airport of Bangalore. Mangalore airport has direct flights from Chennai and Bangalore and is also well connected with the other airports of the country. There are direct taxis available from the airport to the temple.

By Train: The Hassan railway station is the nearest railway station to the temple. It is located approximately at 27 km from the temple, while the other nearby stations are the Mangalore and Mysore railway stations. If you are travelling from Kerala, then Thalassery and Kannur railway stations have direct trains to Hassan. This station is well connected with the other parts of the country. Dharwar, H Nizamuddin, Kannur, Karwar, Mysore, Shimoga Town, Talguppa and Yesvantpur Junction are some of the major railway stations from where there are trains to Hassan railway station. Smet Mysore Express, Mys Shimoga Express, Sharavati Express, Kannur Express and Dwr Mysore Express are the major trains that regular take you to the site. Tourists can also avail direct taxis, auto rickshaws and buses outside the station to the Hoysaleswara Temple.

By Road: There are regular buses and taxis available that can directly take the tourists to the temple. There are regular buses by KSRTC that ply between the major cities and Halebeedu. Private buses from the Majestic bus stand of Bangalore ply directly to Hoysaleswara temple. The temple is located at 16 km from Belur, 31 km from Hassan and 149 km from Mysore. Tour the city of Halebeedu in auto rickshaws to get the local vibe.

Hotels in Halebeedu: Where to stay

Halebeedu is a hub of the rich heritage of Karnataka and hence several hotels have developed near the temple. These hotels not only provide decent accommodation to the tourists but also offer premium services, depending on the needs of the visitors. You can avail of both budget and deluxe accommodation at Halebeedu. Hotel Mayura Shantala, Sumukha Residency, Vishnu Regency are approximately 15 km from the temple, while the Hoysala Village Resort, Gateway Hotel, Stay Simple Riverdale, La Flora Pavanputra Resort and Spa are almost 24 km from the site.

Where to eat

Visitors can relish authentic South Indian food at the nearby hotels. There is a government hotel opposite the temple, just at 100 meters from the bus stand, where you can get both South Indian and North Indian food. This eats out is open from morning till 10 pm and is both cost-effective and hygienic. Customers can choose to eat at the patio or at the garden. Shankar hotel is another popular food joint at Halebeedu, which is open from 7 am to 9.30 pm and serves South Indian food. Tourists can also relish non-vegetarian dishes like chicken and fish curry at a nearby restaurant, located beside the Canara Bank.

Nearby Temples

The Halebeedu temple complex consists of some of the most famous temples of Karnataka.

  • Kedareswara Temple: This temple lies at 400 meters from the Hoysaleswara temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple was built in 12th The temple architecture is amazing with a star-shaped layout and intricately designed sculptures, portraying incidents from the great Indian epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana.
  • Jain Basadi: Halebeedu is a popular Jain pilgrimage. The Jain Basadi is located at 1 km from the Hoysaleswara Temple. There are three Jain temples in this complex, namely, Parshwanath Swamy Temple, Adinatha Swamy Temple, and Shantinatha Swamy Temple. These temples are a treasure of exquisite carvings, like a black stone sculpture of Parshwanath Temple with a serpent carved head, which seems to protect the deity.
  • Shravanabelagola: Located at 50 kilometers from Hassan district, this South Indian pilgrimage is known for its Jain temple. The site is famous for its 58 feet high, granite Bahubali statue. There are several temples located at the twin hills of the place, Vindhyagiri, and Chandragiri, like the Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Kamba, Siddhara Basadi and Chennana Basadi.
  • Belur: Another temple town of Karnataka, Belur lies at 40 km from the Hoysaleswara Temple. The city is famous for the temple dedicated to Lord Chennakesava, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The walls of this shrine are adorned with perfect carvings of gods, goddesses, mythological figures and scenes from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Upanishad.
  • Lakshmi Devi Temple: Located at Doddagaddavalli, this temple is just 16 km from the Hoysaleswara temple. This is one of the oldest temples built during the rule of the Hoysalas. This soapstone temple stores some precious Kannada inscriptions, well-defined sculptures of Lord Shiva in the form of Bhairava and Bhoothnatha, Goddess Kali and Lord Vishnu.

Hence be at Hoysaleswara temple to feel proud of the rich heritage of India. Not only the temple is beautiful with its fine sculptures, these perfect carvings also take you back in the golden days, narrating the incidents from the golden times.

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is located in the coastal town of Gokarna in Karnataka between a confluence of the Rivers of Gangavali and Agnashini. The Hindu Saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya established the Shree Ramachandrapura Mutt in Gokarna who look after the administration of the Gokarna Temple.

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple – Facts

DeityLord Mahabaleshwar (Lord Shiva)
LocationGokarna, Karnataka
Entry FeeFree
Best Time to VisitOctober to March
Darshan Timings6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
PoojasRudra Homam
FestivalsShravan, Shivratri
Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is also famous as Dakshina Kasi (Southern Kasi) and as the Bhookailasa. The region of Gokarna and its religious importance finds mention in several Puranas like the Bhagavata Purana, Sthala Purana, Guru Charitra, and the Skanda Purana.

What are the timings of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple opens at 6:00 AM and closes at 8:00 PM. The temple also performs various rituals during this time. The devotees can be a part of these rituals, such as the morning, afternoon, and evening poojas.

Here are the timings of Gokarna Temple:

RitualsFromTo
Morning Darshan6:00 AM12:30 PM
Evening Darshan5:00 PM8:00 PM
Mangal Aarti, Udyana Bali6:00 AM12:30 PM
Sparsha Darshan5:00 PM8:00 PM
Nityotsava8:30 PM –
Amrutanna Prasada Bhojana (Annadanam)12:00 PM2:00 PM
Amrutanna Prasada Bhojana7:30 PM8:30 PM
2nd Kalam Pooja7:30 PM8:00 PM

What are the poojas and rituals of the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Here are the poojas and rituals that take place at Gokarna Temple:

  • Sankalpa Pooja Mangal Aarti: The Mangal Aarti takes place for the day in the name of the devotee.
  • Bilvarchana: The Archana also takes place for the Lord with Bilva leaves on behalf of the devotee.
  • Ashttotara Bilvarchana: The Archana with Bilva leaves takes place by reciting the 108 names of Lord Shiva on behalf of the devotee.
  • Kumbhabhishek and Kshirabhishek Pooja: The priest bathes the Lord in cow’s milk and worships him on behalf of the devotee.
  • Panchamrutabhishek Pooja: The priest also bathes the God with “Panch Amrits” that are milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar among the recitals of several mantras and shlokas praising the greatness of Lord Shiva.
  • Maha Panchamrutabhisheka Pooja: The Lord is bathed with “Panch Amrit” that are milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar. There is also a Rudrabhishekam which is performed after the bathing process is over. The Rudrabhishek Pooja wipes out all sins and purifies the atmosphere. It also removes all sorts of planetary related ill-occurrences.
  • Navadhanya Abhishek Pooja: The deity is worshiped with Navadhanya meaning nine grains. Usually, these grains are Bengal Gram (Chana dal), Wheat, Horse Gram, Green Gram, Rice, White Beans, Sesame, Chick Peas, and Black Gram.
  • Silver Nagabharana Special Pooja: The priest worships the idol of a silver Nagabharana (image of a snake with five fangs protecting Lord Shiva) on behalf of the devotee.
  • Golden Nagabharana Special Pooja: The priest worships the idol of a Golden Nagabharana on behalf of the devotee.

What is the significance of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Gokarna-Temple-Atmalinga

The significance of the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is that Atmalinga of Lord Shiva at Gokarna Temple is as sacred as the Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The Gokarna Temple is one of the seven Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka. The other six are Udupi, Subramanya, Kumbhashi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayanan, and Kollur.

These places are together known as the Parashurama Kshetras. Devotees believe that these Temples stand on the land of Parashurama from the sea.

The Gokarna Temple is one of the five Temples famous in Karnataka as the Pancha Kshetras of Lord Shiva. The other four Temples are in Nanjanagud, Dharmasthala, Dhareshwara, and Murudeshwar.

The Gokarna Temple is also one of the 276 Paadal Petra Sthalams in India. Shaiva Nayanars believed these temples to be the greatest Shiva Temples in the 6th to 9th century CE. They are praised in Thevaram, divine songs sung in praise of Lord Shiva and composed by three Tamil poets named Thirugana Sambanthar, Thirunavakkarasar, and Sundaramoorthy Nayanar.

The region of Gokarna is also holy for the followers of Lord Dattatreya and the Adinath Sampradaya of the Nath tradition. Devotees believe that he resided here for 3 years and performed penance here. Lord Dattatreya was the Avatar or Incarnation of the Trimurti or the Holy Trinity of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

The Atmalinga

Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple architecture features resemble the Dravidian style of construction. Inside the Sanctum, the main Atmalinga is in a square Saligrama Peetha with a small hole on the top. One can also view the top of the Linga from the hole.

The image represents Lord Shiva in a standing position and is 1500 years old. The actual Atmalinga is visible in whole only once in 40 years during the Ashtabandana Kumbhabhishekam. Gokarna Temple Complex also has shrines dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, Lord Dattatreya, and the Goddess Taamaragowri. The Kotitheertham or the Pushkarini is a small manmade tank present near the Gokarna Temple.

As per the legend, after returning from the Underworld (Sapta Paathala), Lord Shiva collected the essence of all of Brahma’s creations and created a golden deer with three horns and three eyes. Devotees also believe that the three horns were at Pushkar, Shaligram, and Gokarna. These three places are collectively the Siddhi Kshetras.

People believe that the Atmalinga which was here in the Treta Yuga was initially red in color. It became yellow in the Dwapara Yuga and turned black in the Kaliyuga. It is also a belief that the root of the Linga leads to the seven realms of the Paathala Loka (underworld regions inhabited by the Danavas, Daityas, Yakshas, and Nagas.

People also believe that performing the death rites of the dead will grant them salvation or moksha at par with those at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

What is the history of the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Where-is-Gokarna-Mahabaleshwar-Temple

According to the history of the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple, Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty constructed the temple during the period of 345 – 365 AD. The Vijayanagara Kingdom Emperor Krishnadevaraya visited the shrine and weighed himself in gold here. The great ruler Shivaji often prayed at the shrine.

The famous Kalidasa mentions Lord Mahabaleshwar as Lord of Gokarna in his 4th-century work, Raghuvamsha. The Nayanars praised the deity of the Tulu Nadu, Mahabaleshwar in their work Tevaram between the 6th and 9th centuries.

As per one legend, when Lord Shiva cursed Lord Brahma that nobody will worship him because of his lie about finding the end of the endless beam of light emanating from Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma cursed him back stating that Lord Shiva will go to hell. Devotees believe that after going to the underworld, Lord Shiva appeared out through a cow’s ear, a metaphor for emerging out of an ear-shaped place (Mother Earth) known as Gokarna.

The Legend

Kaikesi, the mother of Ravana worshiped Lord Shiva ardently. She used to make Lingas out of the beach sand and pray to them daily. However, every night the Linga used to get washed away by the sea. Hence, Ravana promised to her that he will bring Lord Shiva’s Atmalinga itself to her.

Ravana went to Mount Kailash and performed severe penance to impress Lord Shiva. Eventually, Lord Shiva granted him a wish. Ravana asked for the Atmalinga from Lord Shiva and his wife, Goddess Parvati.

Lord Shiva then took out the Atmalinga from his heart and offered it to Ravana but said that the Linga should not touch the ground until he reaches his destination. Otherwise, the Linga will become affixed. He also asked Goddess Parvati to accompany Ravana.

Lord Vishnu interrupted Ravana’s journey after disguising himself as an old Brahmin. When Ravana started boasting about how he received the Goddess as a boon from Lord Shiva, the Brahmin created an illusion in which the Goddess turned into an old and frail lady. Humiliated, Ravana left the Goddess and proceeded with the Atmalinga.

Lord Ganesha was aware of the evening bath Ravana would take. With the help of Lord Vishnu, who blotted out the Sun to give an appearance of dusk.

Lord Ganesha disguised as a boy passed him. Ravana called him and passed on the idol to him giving instructions that the idol must not be placed on the ground. The boy placed the idol on the ground before Ravana returned from his bath. Lord Vishnu unblocked the sun and it was daylight again. The place where Lord Ganesha placed the idol is known as Gokarna.

Gokarna-Temple-Timings

What is the dress code of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

The devotees are requested to dress decently. Bermuda shorts, beachwear, miniskirts, and other revealing wear are not allowed inside the Gokarna temple premises.

What are the festivals celebrated at Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Some of the festivals celebrated at Gokarna Temple are:

  • Mahashivaratri: The most important festival occurs in the month of February – March. It signifies the marriage of Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati. Some also believe that this is the day when Lord Shiva absorbed the poison that turned him blue during the churning of Amrit episode in mythology. The festival lasts for 9 days, the 6th day being the day of Shivaratri. The devotees perform various special Poojas like Mahapooja, Rathotsava, Bhootabali, Tulabhara and other cultural programs like music and dance festival. Devotees also carry out a Ratha Yatra on the last day of the festival. They carry the idol of Lord Mahabaleshwar in the Dodda Ratha, around the town among the chants of prayers and hymns. More than 100 persons pull the Ratha. Continous Annadanam also takes place during these days when lakhs of pilgrims visit the Temple to receive Lord Shiva’s blessings.
  • Ratha Saptami: The Car or the Ratha festival occurs on the seventh day of the bright half of the month of February. It denotes the seventh day of the movement of Sun towards the northern direction of vertical equinox from Capricorn. It also represents the birth of Sun God Surya. Hence, in some places, it is also popular as the Surya Jayanti. The festival symbolizes the beginning of spring and the harvesting season. In Gokarna, devotees carry a grand Ratha Yatra of the God around the town and distribute special Prasadams.
  • Tripurakhya Deepotsava: The festival occurs on the day of the Karthik Poornima at Gokarna Temple. The Purnima is famous as Tripuri Purnima because of the legend of Lord Shiva destroying the three demon cities, collectively known as Tripura of the Tripurasura demon. Special Poojas like the Laksha Bilvarchana, Dhatri Homam, Vanabhojana, and Deepotsava also take place on this day.
  • Vijayadashami: On this auspicious day, the worship of Goddess Bhadrakali takes place in the Gokarna Temple. Devotees also take the idol of Sri Mahabaleshwar in a procession to the Bhadrakali Temple and bring it back amidst great chantings of religious mantras and bhajans. They also distribute Special Prasadam to the people visiting the shrine on the day.
  • Kadiru Haranotsava: The first harvest of Paddy (Rice) is the Kadiru Haranotsava. The festival and its rituals take place in a nearby village named Bankikodia. The villagers take the Utsava Moorthy (idol) of the Lord to the field and worship it. Following his blessings, they harvest the crop every year. Besides these festivals, the Gokarna Temple also celebrates the Sharada Pooja, Ganesha Chaturthi, Ugadi, Krishna Janmashtami, Kaamadahana and Shiva-Ganga Vivahotsava.

How to reach Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Here’s how to reach Gokarna Temple:

  • Air: Dabolim International Airport in Panaji, Goa is the nearest airport to Gokarna. It lies 150 km from the town.
  • Train: The nearest railway station is Gokarna Road, 6 km from the town.
  • Road: Devotees can arrive in Gokarna by taking any of the KSRTC buses from Panaji, Bengaluru, and Mangalore.

Where to stay near Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Many Hotels and Lodges provide a comfortable stay at nominal rates. Since the town also has a number of scenic beaches, a few beach resorts have also come up in the vicinity. Advanced booking is preferable as the town is usually packed with devotees during the festive and holiday season.

Where to eat near Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

The devotees to the Gokarna Temple are served Prasada Bhojana every day free of cost in the afternoon and the evening at 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM respectively. A large number of small restaurants have also come up at the Gokarna Temple and nearby areas.

They mainly serve delicious South Indian cuisine, mainly vegetarian. Seafood is also available in certain places.

What are some temples near Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple?

Explore-Gokarana

Some of the temples near Gokarna Temple are:

  • Sri Maha Ganapathi Temple: The temple is only a few meters away from the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The temple is in honor of Lord Ganapathi, who took the form of a normal boy who deceived Ravana and established the Atmalinga in Gokarna.
  • Bhadrakali Temple: The temple is 4 km away from the Mahabaleshwar Temple. As per the legend, Vishnu’s illusion freed the Goddess Bhadrakali, an Avatar of Parvati from Ravana.
  • Bharat Temple: The temple is for Bharat, brother of Lord Rama and is on a hillock near the Mahabaleshwar Temple. The temple is present in the temple for Lord Rama. One can also visit a theertham famous as Ramatheertham.
  • The Pancha Kshetra pilgrimage: One can also visit the Pancha Kshetras of Dhareshwar (40 km), Murudeshwar (55 km), Guneshwar (40 km), and Sajjeshwar (40 km towards Goa) from Gokarna. The group of five temples is extremely holy and is a must for any Shaivite pilgrimage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple open throughout the year?

Yes, the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is open all 365 days of the year.

What is the entry fee?

The entry to the Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is free of cost.

Is there any online darshan facility available?

No. There is no facility for online darshan available.

Is there any facility for specially-abled and senior citizens?

No. There is no facility for specially-abled and senior citizens.

What is the weather like during the summer?

The summers in Gokarna starts from April and continue until June. The summers here can be very hot and humid. Temperatures during the daytime often go up to 38 º C.

What are winters like in Gokarna?

In Gokarna, winters start in October and continue until March. The temperatures during this time range from around 15 º C to 25 º C. The weather during this time is cool and pleasant.

If you have any questions about The Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple, please leave a comment below, and we will get back to you within one hour.