Murudeshwara, Karnataka, India (with photos)

Murudeshwara (Kannada: ಮುರುಡೇಶ್ವರ) is a town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. This place is a very famous tourist destination which houses the world's second tallest Shiva statue, Murudeshwara temple, beach, fort & gopura.

The significance of this holy town dates to the time of Ramayana. More on history of this town can be found on the following websites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murudeshwara

http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/murdeshwar

Lord Shiva's statue

View of the Lord Shiva's statue & RNS Hotel from sea shore

Getting there:

By Road:

From Bengaluru: There are 3 ways from Bengaluru

1. Via Shivamogga (9-10 hrs drive)

Distance: 465 km

Route: NH206 - Bengaluru - Tumkur - Tiptur - Arsikere - Birur - Tarikere - Shimoga - Sagar - Honnavar - Murudeshwara

2. Via Ranebennur (8-9 hrs drive)

Distance: 495 km

Route: NH4 - Bengaluru - Tumkur - Chitradurga - Davangere - Ranebennur - Hirekerur - Soraba - Siddapur - Honnavar - Murudeshwara

3. Via Mangalore (10-11 hrs drive)

Distance: 505 km

Route: NH48/NH17 - Bengaluru - Kunigal - Channarayapattna - Hassan - Sakleshpura - Shiradi - Mangalore - Udupi - Kundapura - Bhatkal - Murudeshwara

From Karwar:

Distance : 115 km

Route: NH17 - Karwar - Ankola - Kumta - Honnavar - Murudeshwara

From Hubli:

Distance: 200 km

Route: Hubli - Kalghatgi - Yellapur - Gokarna - Kumta - Honnavar - Murudeshwara

By Bus:

There are a lot of buses from Hubli & Karwar to Murudeshwara from NWKRTC & also lots of buses from Mangalore to Murudeshwara from KSRTC. There are quite a few direct buses from Bengaluru to Murudeshwara from KSRTC & Private carriers also.

By Train:

Murudeshwara lies on the Konkan railway line, so one can take trains plying from Mangalore to Mumbai. Few trains stop in Murudeshwara railway station, but otherwise, the nearest railway station would be Bhatkal

By Air:

Mangalore International Airport is the nearest - Around 160 km

Other alternatives are Hubli (200 km) & Panjim (220 km)