Let me take you on a journey to a special place in Karnataka called Murudeshwar Temple. This place is not just a temple it can be considered a huge museum dedicated to Lord Shiva (Shiv), one of the main gods in Hinduism. And guess what? It has the world's second-largest statue of Lord Shiva (Shiv).
 |
| Murudeshwara Temple - Original Picture |
Murudeshwar Temple stands as a guiding light of spirituality and history in the heart of Karnataka, India. This temple is not just a place for worship; it's a testament to the enduring legacy of Hindu mythology and architecture. Let's dive into the different aspects of this sacred Temple, its rich history, origins, and architectural marvels.
The Legend Behind Murudeshwar
The story of Murudeshwar Temple is deep rooted with divine intervention and ancient facts and stories. It begins with Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, and his firm devotion to Lord Shiva. Ravana's penance led Lord Shiva to appear before him and grant him an 'Atmalinga' (essence of soul of Shiva) which is supposed to give its possessor immortality and invincibility. However, there was a catch, the lingam must not touch the ground until it reached Lanka, or it would root itself there permanently.
Ravana's journey was interrupted when he decided to perform his evening prayers. Lord Ganesha, disguised as a young Brahmin boy, tricked Ravana into placing the Atmalinga on the ground, thereby embedding it forever in what is now Murudeshwar. In his anger, Ravana attempted to uproot the lingam, breaking it into pieces that scattered across India, with a crucial piece forming the genesis of Murudeshwar Temple.
Lord Vishnu's witty intervention:
Knowing the consequences of this act, Lord Vishnu changed the mind of Ravana and instead of asking for atma linga, he asked for Goddess Parvati and lord Shiva offered him that. On his way back to Lanka, Narada muni appeared before him and told him that lord has not given the real Parvati and the real Parvati is in Pathala. So, Ravana goes there and marries the girl according to the description of narada muni, assuming the girl to be real Parvati.
After reaching Lanka Ravana realised that he has been tricked. This realization sets Ravana on a quest to please Lord Shiva once more. This time to to ensure he has to acquire the Atma Linga, a symbol of Shiva's Soul. He succeeds in doing so and Lord Shiva granted his wish under the strict condition that the linga must not touch the ground before he reaches Lanka, as it will get rooted at the same spot and will never move. Ravana embarks towards Lanka. Yet, the gods conspire again, with Vishnu creating an illusion of dusk to disrupt Ravana's evening rituals.
As Ravana was one of the most hard-core divotees of Shiva , he used to perform an evening ritual to worship lord Shiva. He got worried as how he will do it as he was having atma-linga in his hands it was time to perform evening ritual. Lord Ganesh, disguised as a brahmin boy, comes in front of him and Ravana requests him to hold the atma linga so that he can perform his rituals. Ganesh accepts the request but on a condition that he would call Ravana thrice and if he will not come back then he will place atma linga on ground. When, Ravana was gone to perform the rituals, Ganesh called out his name thrice rapidly at the specific moment when he could not leave the ceremony in between. So, according to the deal, Ganesh then place the atma linga on the ground where it becomes immovably rooted at Gokarna and vanished from there with his cows. Ravana tried to chase them, but got hold of only one of the cow’s ear. The rest of the cow’s body disappeared and he was left only with ear in a petrified form. The name of that place hence came to be known as Gokarna (gow means cow in Sanskrit and karna means ear).
 |
| Lord Shiva Statue near Murudeshwara Temple |
The Temple, residing between the confluence of the Gangavalli and Aganashini rivers, is a splendid example of our architectural and spiritual heritage. Its first stones were laid by Mayursharma of the Kadamba dynasty around 345 CE. The temple complex we see today has evolved through the ages, with significant contributions during the Vijayanagara period and later additions by Chanda Rao in the 16th century. Crafted in granite and showcasing the Dravidian architectural style, the temple, with the Atma Linga at its heart, stands as a beacon of devotion and history.
The temple's ambiance during the Maha Shivratri festival is electrifying, celebrating the divine union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival, marked by a grand Ratha Yatra, draws devotees from across the globe, eager to partake in the spiritual revelry and bask in the glory of this ancient site.
As you walk through the temple's outer and inner sanctums, encased within a 5-foot wall, you're not just stepping on stone; you're traversing through centuries of devotion, artistry, and mythological lore. The Temple is more than a structure; it's a narrative of faith, a crossroads of the divine and the earthly, inviting all to witness the legacy of a land where tales of gods and mortals intertwine.
Source: Jog Waterfall Tour and Murudeshwar Temple tour Gokarna tour from Mumbai
Comments
Post a Comment