Gokarnam Sri Mahabaleswarar Temple, Karnataka

Deity: Mahabaleshwar Amman: Kokarneshwari
Temple Address: Gokarnam  Sri Mahabaleswarar Temple, Gokarnam, Kotiteertha, Gokarn, Karnataka 581326,Phone: 083862 57956
Open between: 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 04:00 AM to 08:30 AM

Introduction

The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is a 4th-century CE Hindu temple located in Gokarna, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka state, India which is built in the classical Dravidian architectural style. It is a site of religious pilgrimage. The temple faces the Karwar city beach on the Arabian Sea in which Hindu pilgrims cleanse before visiting the temple for worship. The temple is considered as holy as the Shiva temple at Varanasi or Kāśi (Kashi) in North India on the banks of the Ganges River. Hence, the Mahabaleshwar temple, Gokarna is known as the Dakshin Kasi (“Kasi of the south”).The temple deifies the Pranalinga (“the reality of God which can be captured by the mind”) also called Atmalinga or Shiva LingaIn legend, it is said that the deity of the temple will bestow immense blessings to devotees, even to those who only glimpse it

Puranic Significance

The Legend of the Atma Linga

The Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple is believed to be the misplaced home of the original Atma Linga of Lord Shiva, which was initially housed at Mount Kailash.

• Ravana’s Devotion & Boons
  • The demon king Ravana performed intense penance to please Lord Shiva.
  • His mother had expressed a desire to worship the original Atma Linga of Lord Shiva.
  • Pleased with Ravana’s devotion, Lord Shiva granted him two boons:
    1. The Atma Linga, with the condition that it should not be placed on the ground, or it would get permanently embedded.
    2. A spouse as beautiful as Goddess Uma (Parvati)—and Shiva, instead of creating another woman, decided to let Uma accompany Ravana.

Lord Vishnu & Lord Ganapati’s Intervention

• Uma’s Plea & Lord Vishnu’s Plan
  • Goddess Uma called upon Lord Vishnu for help.
  • Lord Vishnu foresaw that if Ravana possessed the Atma Linga, he would become invincible and a threat to the world.
  • Disguising himself as a haggard Brahmin, Lord Vishnu tricked Ravana into exchanging Uma for Mandodari, the daughter of Mayasura.
• Lord Ganapati’s Trick
  • As Ravana reached Gokarna, he stopped to perform his evening prayers (Sandhyavandana).
  • Lord Ganapati, disguised as a cowherd boy, appeared before Ravana.
  • Ravana, unaware of the trick, handed the Atma Linga to Ganapati, asking him to hold it until he finished his prayers.
  • Defying Ravana’s instructions, Ganapati placed the Linga on the ground, causing it to become permanently embedded.

The Name “Mahabaleshwar”

• When Ravana attempted to uproot the Linga with immense force, it remained deeply entrenched in the earth.
• Frustrated and unable to move it, Ravana exclaimed that it was “Mahabala” (the strongest).
• From then on, the Linga became known as “Mahabaleshwar,” and the temple was built around it.

Spiritual Significance

• The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna is one of the most sacred Shiva temples, often compared to Kashi (Varanasi) in terms of spiritual importance.
• Devotees believe that worshipping the Atma Linga here grants immense blessings and relief from sins.

Beliefs

As the Lord is in the form of mount as in Kailash and the Goddess in the form of River, it is believed that She flows here as a river. The mount and the river are adjacent to each other here. Girivalam is very famous in places where Lord Shiva is in hill form. Here, Girivalam is not possible due to the river flowing. This is a salvation sthala – place. This is one of the many places where Lord Shiva is swayambu. Goddess in the river form is worshipped as Tambra Gouri. Those expecting to be married pray here.

Special Features

1. Ambika in River Form

• Unlike other temples where Goddess Parvati is enshrined, here she is believed to flow in the form of a river.
• Since Lord Shiva is in the form of a mountain (like Kailash) and Goddess Parvati is in the form of a river, they exist adjacent to each other.
• Girivalam (circumambulation) is usually performed around Shiva temples on hills, but here it is not possible due to the flowing river.
• The Goddess in her river form is worshipped as Tambra Gouri, and it is believed that those seeking marriage pray to her for blessings.

2. Salvation to the Departed Souls (Pithru Pooja & Pisasu Moksham)

• Performing Pithru Poojas (ancestral rituals) at this temple ensures that even ancestors suffering in hell are granted salvation and moved to heaven.
• A dip in the sacred river and worshipping Lord Shiva here is said to remove Brahmahatya Dosha (the sin of killing a Brahmin or equivalent karmic sins).
• Every good deed performed here yields multiple benefits.
• A special ritual known as “Pisasu Moksham” (Salvation for the Spirits) is conducted daily for the liberation of wandering souls.

3. Swayambhu Shiva Linga (Self-manifested)

• The Linga is naturally formed and is only the size of a thumb.
• Unlike in many other temples, devotees can personally perform Abhishekam (sacred bathing) to the Shiva Linga.

4. Connection to Great Saints & Sages

• Sage Agasthya worshipped Lord Shiva here, adding to the spiritual significance of the temple.
• Gnanasambandar, the famous Saiva saint, has sung hymns in praise of the deity.

5. Rudra Bhoomi – The Land of Lord Rudra

• According to legend, Lord Rudra (a fierce form of Shiva) was once dissatisfied with Brahma’s creation.
• He created the Boodha Ganas (divine spirits) to destroy the world, but Lord Vishnu intervened.
• Vishnu advised Rudra to only perform destruction during Pralaya (the great dissolution of the world) and instead remain here to bless devotees.
• Thus, this sacred place is also called Rudra Bhoomi, the land of Lord Rudra, where his grace is abundant.

Festivals

9 day Mahasivarathri, and Tripuradhahana festival in Karthikai (November-December) on the Poornima-full moon day are the festivals celebrated in the temple.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 years old

Saints and Singers

Sambandar, Appar

Managed By

Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt

Best Time

10-12

Accommodation

Udipi

Nearest Bus Station

Gokarnam

Nearest Railway Station

Udipi

Nearest Airport

Mangalore

Location on Map

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