Things to Do in Murudeshwara

Marking its prominence in the array of Murudeshwar tourist places,Shri Murudeshwara temple is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the must-visit spots of the region. The temple features the second-highest statue of Lord Shiva from all over the world and is surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of the Arabian Sea on all sides.

The main entrance of the temple is called the gopura and from here you can gape at the enchanting landscapes of the statue. The most striking feature of the temple is the intricate carvings that are done on the walls. Devotees from different regions travel to this temple to seek blessings of Lord Shiva and offer their prayers to him

Location: Murudeshwar Temple Main Road Murdeshwar Bhatkal Taluk, Murdeshwar, Karnataka 581350

Timing:  3:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Soak in the tranquility of one of the most serene places to visit in Murudeshwar the Murudeshwara beach. The beach serves as an ideal picnic spot and is a refreshing getaway for the tourist as it offers a wide range of exhilarating water adventures.

Right from bird watching to boating business there is everything at this beach to spend quality time with your friends and family.  Something that one must not miss is the sunset view as at this time the sun displays beautiful color and contrasts with sparkling water, which will just melt your heart away.

 The beach overlooks the Lord Shiva statue and caters as a perfect relaxing spot. The surroundings of the beach are covered with lush green foliage and the sparkling golden sand is arched by the coconut grooves that add up to the beauty of the beach.

Location: Murudeshwar, Karnataka

Timing: 24 hours open

Next in the list of Murudeshwar tourist places, is the Murudeshwar fort that is famed from the Vijayanagara period. The fort was built back in the 15th century by the  Vijayanagara kings and then renewed by the ruler of Mysore, Tipu Sultan.

The architecture of the fort is of ancient times and here you can spot elegant paintings, stylish artworks, and a whole lot more intriguing carvings on the walls. Another key feature of the fort is its location that is right behind the temple complex making it easily accessible from all modes of transport.

Location: Murdeshwar, Karnataka 581350

Timing: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Renowned as one of the oldest mosques of the region Jamia Masjid is frequented by tourists. This is a 3 storey structure with a basement along, reflecting the charm of history. It is located in the Bhatkal town and people from all over the world travel here to pay their homage to the divine.

The mosque exhibits the elegant question inscriptions and countless other relics of the ancient period. This mosque is one of the old Heritage pride of India and is the second Jamia Masjid after Delhi.

Location: Qazi Mohalla, Murdeshwar, Karnataka 581350

Timing: All time open.

 The best place to spend quality time with your family and friends is the Statue Park! The park features well-manicured lawns that are adorned with vibrant colored flowers and the striking Shiva Statue that is the second tallest in the world. If you are seeking a place to re-energize your body, then this park is a great choice.

Apart from this, the park even has a number of elegant stone sculptures and a majestic man-made waterfall. The aura of the park will leave you spellbound and serenity it offers will just add up to the experience.

Location: Murdeshwar, Karnataka 581350

Timing: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Another one in the array of Murudeshwar Tourist Places is the Jali Beach that is nestled in the fishing town named Bhatkal. The Jali beach is one of the pristine beaches of the region and is known for its serenity. The beach is arched with trails of coconut trees and the sparkling golden coastline makes the landscapes even more wonderful.

If you are looking for a tranquil place to visit with your partner or a relaxing spot to witness with your family, then the Jali Beach is a choice with no regrets.

Location: Jalikodi Rd, Jalikodi, Bhatkal, Karnataka 581320

Timing: 24 hours open

Escape the buzzing sound of the city life and head to the Netrani island that is a picturesque island tucked surrounding the striking Arabian sea. The most prominent feature of the island is that it is heart-shaped and owns a wide collection of marine creatures making it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling.

It is settled 19 km away from Murudeshwar and is an excellent sightseeing spot for visitors. With scuba ding at this island, you can witness some of the rare combinations of underwater species namely butterfly-fish, triggerfish, and several other wonderful corals. The list of adjectives falls short to define the serenity and lure of this island, and this is the reason it is a must-visit locale.

Location: Netrani Island, Murudeshwar, Karnataka

Tour cost: Starting from INR 1200 per person.

Timing: 24 hours open

Perched on the serene river banks of River Aghanashini, Mirjan Fort is one of the most spectacular places for history buffs among tourist places in Murudeshwar. Sprawling over an area of about 4 hectares, it is a stunning reminder of the past. It is said that many battles during the sixteenth and seventeenth century were fought here.

The fort is well-known for its architecture that will transport you to another time. If you are an architecture lover, you will admire the beautiful canals, moats, secret passageways etc. Covered in a carpet of green grass and moss, this fort helps you relish that old world charm.

It is said that the fort was once an important place that enabled trade in spices. Declared as one of the protected monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India, this fort is built of laterite stones. It is believed that the fort was home to Queen Chennabhairadevi of Gersoppa who ruled here for 52 years and later became popular as the Pepper Queen.

It is said that the fort served as an important center for trade of spices with the Dutch, Portuguese, and the Britishers. Encompassed by a lush green landscape, Mijan Fort is best visited after the months of monsoon in Murudeshwar. 

Location: Mirjan Fort Road, Mirjan, Karnataka

Timing: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Located in Idagunji, this temple is believed to be the place where Lord Ganapathi stayed. It is said that many ancient saints performed their rites of penance here. Nestled on the banks of River Sharavati, this temple has its mention in the Skanda Purana as well. One of the important places to visit in Murudeshwar for pilgrimage, the temple attracts more than 1 million devotees every year.

The major highlight of this temple is the statue of Lord Vinayaka which is kept in a standing posture. When you are here, try to visit the temple during the time of Vinayaka Chaturthi as during that time the temple is decorated ornately and celebrates the festival with great fervor. The temple is hailed to be one of the most prominent Ganesha temples on the western coast of India and often popularly called as ‘Ganesha Coast’.

Location: Idagunji Road, Idagunji Khatri, Karnataka

Timing: 6AM - 1PM & 3PM - 8.30PM

Perched on the banks of Souparnika River, this temple is hailed as one of the seven Mukti Stalas which were constructed by Parashurama. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Murudeshwar in the valley of Kodachadri Peak. The famous place of pilgrimage attracts many devotees throughout the year because of its temple that is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. It is said that this is the place where Goddess Parvathi killed the demon Kamsasuran after he was made  dumb by Veerabadra, Ganesha and Shiva and got to be called Mookasuran. Later, the Goddess came to be known as Mookambika and the place where he was killed got popular as Marana Katte.

The temple is well known for housing the Panchaloha(five metals) that are a gift of  Adi Shankaracharya along with a Shiva Lingam which is worshipped here. Other popular deities see here include those of Ganesha, Subrahmanya, Naga, Mahishasura Mardini, Partheeshwara, Chandramouleeswara, Prana Lingeshwara, Nanjundeshwara, Anjaneya, Venkataramana, ThulasiGopalakrishna.

The temple is a stunning example of Dravidian style of architecture with a beautiful vimanan, a sanctum in quadrangular shape and a grand mantapa that rises to 135 feet. Believed to be 1200 year old, the temple is supposed to have gone through major enhancements in its design during the 15th and 16th century.

Location: Kollur Mookambika Temple, Kollur, Udupi District, Karnataka

Timing: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm

Supposed to be one of the best tourist places to see in Murudeshwar, Basavaraj Durga Fort dates back to the 16th century. The charming fort is located in Dakshina Kannada district and accessed by a trek towards the hill. Once a dazzling fort on an island, the fort offers stupendous views of the Arabian Sea. Another way to reach the fort is by taking a boat from Honnavar which is located 4 km away. Constructed during the Vijayanagar rule, the fort is a marvelous getaway for all the history buffs.

The fort is named after Keladi Prince Basavaraj and boasts of impressive architecture that comprises massive bastille made from laterite blocks.  One of the eye-catching attractions of the fort are the eight mounted guns located here. If you are a fan of ruined structures, this fort will impress you with its empty inside structure. One of the most offbeat places to see in Murudeshwar, Basavaraj Durga Fort should be added to your itinerary if you are looking for a different kind of adventure.

Location: Basavaraj Durga Fort, Honnavar Taluk, Uttar Kannada District

Timing: 9 am to 5 pm

Head to Murudeshwar Market to have a gala time with your friends and family. It is your one stop place to buy anything that you want when you are touring the best places to visit in Murudeshwar. Located on the road towards the temple, it is one of the best markets to buy items like handicrafts, showcase pieces, wall paintings etc. The vibrant market offers something for all the tourists. If you like to add to your jewelry collection, there are many local shops selling their work in Murudeshwar Market.

Moreover, for those looking to add some zing to your home, there are many wall hangings, baskets and idols of Lord Ganeshaavailable here. Another thing not to miss here included the Rudraksha Jewellery along with the Rudraksha beads sold here. Along with offering tons of goodies to help you cherish a day out indigenous shopping, Murudeshwar Market is an excellent getaway for the foodies as well to help you indulge in delectable items.

Location: Murudeshwar Market, Murudeshwar, Karnataka

One of the most picturesque places to visit in Murudeshwara, this is a small waterfall that attracts all nature lovers. Falling from a height of 10 metres to splash over a small pond, this waterfall can be reached by an easy trail. It is said that the pond was the place where the angels arrived from heaven and took a bath. Hence, the pond is well known as Apsara Konda and dazzles everyone with a sight of water flowing through a peepal tree.

When you are here, you can indulge in swimming and playing with your loved ones in the pond. It is a site of intrigue as you can see many small and big caves here which are also called Pandava Caves. It is believed that this was the place where the Pandavas stayed during their exile. The sunset views from the hill are totally mesmerising and lets you cherish some beautiful memories.

If you are looking for more adventure, you can visit the park built by Karnataka Tourism Department on the hillock and enjoy some time appreciating the natural beauty by boating in the clear blue waters.

Location: Apsara Konda Road, Apsara Konda, Karnatak

Timing: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

A paradise for nature lovers, Murudeshwar Beach is perched beside the Lord Shiva temple in Kanduka Giri. One of the most beautiful tourist places to see in Murudeshwar, this beach is squeaky clean and enchants all the beholders with its serene surroundings. With the thundering waters of Arabian Sea on the west and the backdrop of the hill, the beach is dotted by a grove of coconut trees.

The wonderful views of nature here will help you cherish a great time with your loved ones. Also, if you are a fan of sunsets, this beach will surely leave you stunned with the breathtaking views of the crimson hued skies. The beach is a perfect spot to enjoy a memorable picnic with your friends and family. If you are lucky and visit the beach during the morning hours, you may spot some seagulls and kingfisher birds. Foodies can also look forward to having a good time here as there are many shacks which serve mouthwatering goodies to the visitors.

Location: Murudeshwar Beach, Murudeshwar