Information of Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka

Mahabaleshwar Temple at Gokarna is an ancient Hindu temple built by Mayura Sharma, who ruled this region in the 4th century AD and belonged to the great Kadamba Dynasty. He was a prominent Hindu ruler and it was his effort to make this as Dakshina Kashi of the south. He was a great believer in the Hindu mythology and contributed his wealth and his self interest to develop this temple during his rule. It became a popular pilgrim center later on. It is located near the cost of Gokarna, Uttar kanada District of Karnataka State in India.

Mahabaleshwar Temple Religious Significance

Since from the ancient times many rulers of these regions visited here. Since then this temple was called as the Dakshina Kashi of the south region of India. The Lord Shiva is the main deity here and it is a famous pilgrim center for the Shivicks set of Hindus. The Maha Shiva Rathri in the month of February is celebrated here with special poojas and rituals. Many pilgrims from all India come here on this occasion. The Kartika mahotsava is the important festival celebrated here. The car festival is taken place on the end of Shivarathri day. This car is pulled by many devotees and this chariot is very beautifully decorated with lights and flower. The Ganesha and his Devi mother are also worshiped in the same temple. Many of its devotees come here with their new born to give hair sacrifice by shaving the Childs first hair to this temple. This is also done by all devotees who wish to perform these rituals to this temple.

Mahabaleshwar Temple Mythology & History

As per the Puranas (ancient inscriptions) the Gokarna and its temple built here has an epic story which held here in the very old ancient times. The Lankeshwar's mother was a believer in Lord Shiva and was doing prayers to him daily. One day she asked Ravana to get the Atmalinga from the Lord Shiva for her poojas. He agreed and went to the abode of Lord Shiva in the Kailash Mountain. There Lord Shiva was in deep meditation and he self sacrifice his heads to appease him. Lord Shiva finally gave his Atmalinga for her mother. But Shiva asked for a boon, and Lankeshwar asked for a beautiful wife. Lord Shiva offered his own wife here. This was not digested by his sons and heavenly gods. Here the Maha Vishnu played a trick by making the Devi into an old age women and stopped him and asked who is this old lady, Lankeshwar was surprised to see this old women and left her in the Gorkarna region. That hoe the Devi temple was formed here. The story of Mahabaleshwara is as such that, while returning home Lord Shiva told him not to keep this Linga down until he reached his destination, unfortunately he placed in the same place where he dropped the Devi. He was not able to lift this atmalinga and named it as Mahabaleshwar, meaning the powerful and strong.

Mahabaleshwar Temple Architectural Significance

Mahabaleshwar Temple is built on Dravidian architectural form. The entire structure is built of granite stone and woods. There are beautiful craftsmanship found on the stones and woods. The main Garbha Graha area is seen with a big tower in obelisk shape. Inside there are many small complexes with terracotta tiled roofs supported on wood crafts work. There are many single stone carved sculptures built, which are looking very beautiful. It also got a Nandhi Statue of Lord Shiva's Vahana. Lord Ganesha is also built in a big shape. A two temple chariot is also seen on its front side of this temple.