Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – The Second Home to the Original Atma Linga Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – The Legend If legends could be true, the Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna is the misplaced home to the original Atma Linga of Lord Shiva from its first abode at Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. The story goes that the demon king of Lanka, Ravana, performed a long penance to please Lord Shiva after the king’s mother had expressed a profound yearning to worship the original Atma Linga of Lord Shiva. Pleased with Ravana’s sincere efforts at penance, Lord Shiva granted his devotee the two wishes he’d made. Two Boons First, as per the wish, the Lord handed Ravana his Atma Linga, but on the condition that he should not put it down on the ground. Else it would get permanently embedded on that very ground where it is dropped. And granting the king’s second wish of a spouse as pretty as the Lord’s wife Uma, Lord Shiva decided to let his wife go with Ravana, for there was none equivalent to Uma than she herself. Lord Vishnu and Ganapati Salvaging Uma At the earnest call from Uma, Lord Vishnu decided to salvage the situation. He was also sceptical that possessing the Atma Linga would make the demon king Ravana an invincible power who could potentially destroy the world. Hence, he showed up as a haggard Brahmin while Ravana had reached Gokarna on his way back to Lanka. Lord Vishnu tricked the demon king into exchanging Uma for Mandodari, the daughter of Mayasura. He also called upon Lord Ganapati (Ganesha) to trick Ravana into putting down the Linga. At that very same spot, Ganapati appeared before Ravana disguised as a cowherd. Realizing that it was time for his evening prayers (Sandhyavandana), Ravana asked Ganapati to hold the Linga for some time until he came back from his prayers. Defying the order of the king, Lord Ganapati put down the Linga on the ground. No sooner, the Atma Linga get firmly implanted into the earth. Despite the forceful attempts by Ravana, the Linga remained entrenched into the ground. Unable to uproot the Linga from the ground, Ravana called it Mahabala (the strongest). Since then the Linga came to be known as Mahabaleshwar. Dravidian style Gopura. Image courtesy Nvvchar Places around Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna If the Mahabaleshwar Temple is the glittering crown of Gokarna, there are many notable places worth being called the gems of the town. This rustic and laidback town is home to a number of exquisite beaches and monumental temples. Maha Ganapati Temple It’s a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha due to the smart role he played in dismantling Ravana’s intention of carrying the Atma Linga to his kingdom in Lanka. The temple boasts of a 5 ft. tall structure of Ganesha folding his two hands. Tamra Gowri Temple This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, and is a must-visit site in Gokarna. The entrance to the temple is flanked by ornate adornments. The two-armed idol of Devi Parvati holds a balance that is believed to suggest the goddess assessing the excellence of Gokarna against Kashi. Venkatramana Temple Dedicated to Venkatramana, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, this temple is known for its sacred man-made pond called Koti Teertha wherein the idols are immersed, as well as the devotees take a dip as part of the ritual bathing. Bhadrakali Temple The Bhadrakali Temple dedicated to Goddess Uma is among the most important religious sites in Gokarna. The legend goes that after Lord Vishnu tricked Ravana into swapping Uma for Mandodari as his wife, the Lord had asked the goddess to stay at that very place. Subsequently, she came to be worshipped as Bhadrakali. Om Beach. Image courtesy Anandavinash Om Beach This beach gets its name from its shape of “Om” when viewed aerially. Kudle Beach Visiting this beach is like discovering a lost paradise, away from the cacophony of the modern world. Gokarna Beach This beach is the closest to the town and is a place for hippie gatherings with incessant happy sounds of drums, hammocks and guitars pervading the breezy atmosphere. Half Moon Beach This crescent-shaped reclusive beach cradles amid greenery and isolation. One must cover a short trek up the hill to reach this beach majorly devoid of human settlements. Paradise Beach This small, secluded beach perfectly lives up to its name. One has to either take a ferry or trek to the beach for a laidback private beach experience. How to Reach Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna has access points from different parts of Karnataka. By Air Mangalore is the nearest airport (192). From Mangalore, one must board a bus or hire a taxi to Gokarna. By Rail Ankola is the nearest railway station (20 km). Buses and cabs .