Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

At a distance of 500 m from Gokarna Bus Station, Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated in Gokarna, Karnataka. It is one of the important places of pilgrimage in South India, and among the must include places in Gokarna tour packages.

The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna enshrines the Aatmalinga or Pranalinga of Lord Shiva. This is one of the best places to visit in Gokarna. This temple is regarded second only to the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple in Varanasi and is often called the Dakshina Kashi. The temple is said to be one of the seven sacred Muktikshetras and is visited by Hindus to perform the death rites for their ancestors.

History of Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna was originally built by King Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty in the 4th century. The renowned classical Sanskrit author, Kalidasa, references the 'Lord of Gokarna' in his 4th-century literary work, Raghuvamsha. This temple comprises a vast complex of shrines, with a significant portion dating back to the later Vijayanagara period (1336-1646 CE). In the 17th century, Queen Chennammaji, along with her son, Soma Sekharanayaka of Keladi, and Visvesvaraya of Halasunadu-Kundapura, constructed the Chandrasala and Nandi pavilions. Notably, in 1665, the illustrious Maratha king Shivaji (1630-1680 CE) paid homage at the Mahabaleshwar temple after disbanding his forces in Gokarna.

Mythology

According to the legend, Ravana undertook intense penance to acquire the Atmalinga from Lord Shiva. Satisfied with his devotion, Lord Shiva manifested before him and granted the Atmalinga, stipulating that it would remain permanently anchored at any location it was placed. With this boon in hand, Ravana commenced his journey back to Lanka.

As he approached Gokarna, Lord Vishnu obscured the sun, creating an illusion of twilight. Faced with the necessity to perform his evening rituals, Ravana grew anxious, for he could not do so while holding the Atmalinga. At that moment, Lord Ganesha, disguised as a Brahmin boy, approached him. Ravana requested Ganesha to hold the Atmalinga until he completed his rituals, cautioning him not to set it down. Ganesha proposed a condition that he would call Ravana three times, and if Ravana did not return by then, he would place the Atmalinga on the ground.

Ganesha called out three times in quick succession, but Ravana was unable to arrive in time. Before Ravana could return, Lord Ganesha set the Atmalinga down, tricked Ravana and disappearing with his cows. Ravana pursued one cow that was sinking into the ground. He managed to grasp the ear of the cow, while the rest of its body vanished below the surface. This ear, now petrified, is the origin of the name Gokarna, derived from the Sanskrit words 'gow' meaning cow, and 'karna' meaning ear. Subsequently, Ravana exerted great effort to lift the Atmalinga but was unsuccessful, as it remained firmly fixed.

Architecture of Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

This temple is very ancient and enhanced through several centuries. It granite structure exemplifies the Dravidian architectural style. The Shivalinga, standing six feet tall, is housed within a square Saligrama Peetham in the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple. The pedestal features a small hole at its center, allowing devotees to glimpse the top of the Atmalinga. However, it is during the Ashta Bandana Kumbhahishekam, a festival celebrated once every 40 years that the entire Atmalinga is revealed to the devotees.

Additionally, a 1500-year-old carved stone idol of Lord Shiva in a standing posture is venerated here. Separate shrines are dedicated to Lord Vinayaka, Chandikeswara, Aadi Gokarneswara, and Dattatreya here. Behind the sanctum lies a shrine for Taamragowri. The Koti theertham is regarded as the most sacred water source in the area. Prior to their visit to this temple, tourists typically immerse themselves in the holy waters of the Arabian Sea.

Festivals of Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

Shivarathri is the main festival celebrated here and tourists from all over South India visit the temple on this auspicious occasion. The celebration features a Rath Yatra, a procession involving a grand wooden chariot. Idols of Shiva and various other deities are placed within the chariot, which is reverently drawn through the town by devotees, accompanied by the sounds of drum bands.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions

To preserve the sanctity and spiritual ambiance of the temple, it is required that visitors dress in a modest manner. Men are encouraged to don traditional garments such as dhoti or mundu, or to opt for modest Western attire like trousers and shirts. Women should wear sarees, salwar kameez, or other forms of traditional clothing. It is advisable to refrain from wearing shorts, sleeveless tops, or any other revealing apparel.

Foreigners, including practicing Hindus of non-Indian (Western) origin are not allowed to enter the sanctum-sanctorum and see the Shivalinga.

Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple Timings

Monday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM
Tuesday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM
Wednesday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM
Thursday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM
Friday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM
Saturday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM
Sunday: 6 AM to 12.30 PM & 5 PM - 8 PM

Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
Special darshan available for Rs. 500

Best Time to Visit Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

The ideal time to visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple is from October to February when the weather is pleasant. The temple sees an influx of pilgrims during Maha Shivaratri which falls on February/March. Visiting during this time allows you to witness the grand rituals and festivities. Furthermore, this season is ideal for enjoying the beaches of Gokarna and engaging in various adventure activities such as boating, surfing, water-skiing, and parasailing.

How to Reach Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple

About 149 km from Gokarna, Goa International Airport is the nearest airport that has direct flights from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. The nearest railway station to Gokarna is Gokarna road, which is about 10 km away. It has trains from Mumbai, Mangalore, Hubli, Bangalore, Ajmer, Karwar, and Pune. Gokarna is well-connected by road with the nearby cities including Goa, Bangalore, Mangalore, Hubli, Sirsi and Ankola. You can also hire a taxi from nearby cities for a more comfortable and convenient journey.