- Best time
- October to March
- Nearest railway station
- Murudeshwar (Konkan Railway)
- Nearest airport
- Mangaluru
- Shiva statue height
- About 123 feet
What to see
The seated Shiva statue on Kanduka hill, about 123 feet high, is visible from far along the coast and is one of the tallest Shiva statues in the world. Below it stands the Murudeshwara temple with its 20-storey gopuram, among the tallest temple towers in India. Unusually, a lift inside the tower takes visitors up to a viewing level with sweeping views of the statue, the sea and the town.
The temple complex also has sculptures and decorative work by local craftspeople, and a shrine to Shani (Saneeshwara) that many devotees visit.
On the beach
The long sandy beach beside the temple is ideal for evening walks, and families take motorboat rides from the shore. Sunrise and sunset are both good times to be here. Swim only where others do and avoid the water in rough weather. Simple restaurants near the temple offer coastal seafood and vegetarian meals.
Netrani Island
Netrani Island, offshore from Murudeshwar, is one of the better spots on India's west coast for scuba diving and snorkelling, with coral and plenty of fish. Trips depend on the season and sea conditions, so book through a licensed operator.
Best time to visit
October to March offers the most pleasant weather for both the temple and the beach. The monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas, and diving trips usually stop.
How to reach
Murudeshwar has its own railway station on the Konkan Railway, with trains from Mangaluru, Goa and Mumbai. The nearest airport is Mangaluru, about three to four hours away by road. Good roads link the town with the rest of coastal and inland Karnataka, and we can arrange a car for a coastal circuit including Udupi and Gokarna.
Places to see in Murudeshwar
Also nearby
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