Mahabaleshwar Temple
ಮಹಾಬಲೇಶ್ವರ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ
Lord Shiva (Mahabaleshwar) · Gokarna, Karnataka
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About the temple
Prime Mukti Sthala; Seat of the legendary Atma Lingam Salvation (Moksha), peace for ancestors, and removal of sins
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 20:00
- Established
- 4
- Best time to visit
- Early morning after a bath in the sea
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Mahabaleshwar) · ಮಹಾಬಲೇಶ್ವರMaha GanapathiTamra GauriChandikeswara
- Deity form
- Atma Lingam (housed in a pedestal; only the top is visible)
- Religious tradition
- Vedic / Smarta
- Sanskrit name
- महाबलेश्वर मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Dakshina Kashi, Gokarna Shiva Temple
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 - 12:30, 17:00 - 20:00
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM to 05:00 PM
- Special days
- 24 hours during Maha Shivaratri
- Festival timings
- Extended hours for night rituals
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 06:30
- Midday aarti
- 12:00
- Evening aarti
- 19:00
- Night aarti
- 20:00
- Special aarti days
- Mondays, Pradosham
- Ritual schedule
- Vedic rituals including Pitru Tarpanam
- Pooja timings
- Morning and Evening sessions
- Abhishek timings
- 06:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Special poojas
- Atma Linga Pooja, Rudrabhisheka, Pitru Karma
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Mayurasharma of the Kadamba Dynasty
- Architect / builder
- Keladi Nayakas
- Construction materials
- Granite and Laterite
- Historical events
- Visited by Adi Shankara; mentioned in the Mahabharata and Ramayana
- Renovations
- Maintenance by the Havyaka Brahmin community and local administration
- Archaeological importance
- Protected State Monument
- Legends
- Ravana obtained the Atma Lingam but Ganesha tricked him into grounding it
- Inscriptions
- Multiple Kadamba and Vijayanagara inscriptions
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 4th Century onwards
- Structure
- Complex with multiple shrines
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Simple, traditional Dravidian gopuram
- Mandapa
- Open-pillared halls (Sabhamandapa)
- Sculptural features
- Ancient stone carvings of Shiva and Ganesha
- Artistic elements
- Wood-carved ceilings in certain areas
- Construction technique
- Traditional stone masonry
- Unique features
- Devotees can touch the Lingam; the sacred Koti Teertha tank
Festivals & events
Maha ShivaratriKarthika Purnima
- Festival calendar
- Feb-March (Shivaratri)
- Special celebration days
- Mondays
- Cultural events
- Vedic chanting sessions
- Annual events
- Shivaratri Chariot Festival (Theru)
- Peak crowd season
- November to February; Shivaratri
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning after a bath in the sea
- Parking capacity
- 100+
- Parking fees
- ₹30 - ₹50
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI
- Prasadam
- Laddu, Panchamruta