This is a consecrated Atmalinga of Mahabaleshwar Gokarna. This linga is said to be given by Lord Shiva to the Ravana. This is one of five Pancha lingas of Karnataka. This is one of seven muktisthalas of Karnataka; Udupi, Kollur, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna.
There is a place to sit and meditate. You can go into meditative states here effortlessly.
How to get there:
The temple is located 10 kms South West of Gokarna West station.
Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zVqyPm22QUJ1rX5y5
About Mahabaleshwar Temple
The Mahabaleshwar temple is an important pilgrimage temple in South India where Hindus come to worship the Aatmalinga or the Prana Linga of Lord Shiva. The temple is beautifully built in Dravidian style architecture and is strongly significant in Hindu culture.
The Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna is among the seven Muktishetras of the Hindus, where they come to perform the last rites. You will notice many people every time you visit the temple.
It has stood the test of time and has been a prominent place of worship since the 4th century AD. It is built with white granite stones and has beautiful Gopuras within the temple premises. The temple was built by the famous ruler of the Kadamba Dynasty, King Mayurasharma.
A 1500-year old image of Lord Shiva is well-ingrained and beautifully carved into the temple walls. The colossal Atma Lingam is enclosed within the Shaligrama Peetha of the Mahabaleshwar temple.
Legend states that while it was a gift from Lord Shiva to Ravana, history took an unexpected turn of events, and the Atma Lingam got firmly placed in the ground at Gokarna.
While Ravana tried removing the stone with all his might, he could not and thus named the stone ‘Mahabala’ (the strongest). Hence, the name Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna.
Besides this, the temple is also surrounded by other shrines such as Maha Ganapati shrine, Chandikeswara, Thamira Gowri (Goddess Parvati shrine), and Aadi Gokarneswara, Dattatreya, and Gokarnanayagi.
#Trivia: Another aspect of the boon is that Ravana wanted a wife as pretty as Goddess Uma and thus asked Lord Shiva to grant this wish (out of the two wishes). Lord Shiva gave his wife to Ravana, knowing there would be no one prettier than Goddess Uma ever. It was another reason the temple held tremendous importance amongst pilgrims from near and far.
Karnataka P
The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘Panchalingams’. These are:
- Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam
- Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna.
- Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna.
- Gunavanteshwar – the lid of the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is also on NH17, about 60 Kms south of Gokarna.
- Murudeshwar – the cloth covering the lingam. This temple is also on NH17, about 70 Kms south of Gokarna.
Read More
https://gokarnatourism.co.in/mahabaleshwar-temple-gokarna
https://www.awanderingmind.in/2008/05/gokarna-part-ii-five-lingams.html
