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Here’s a comprehensive guide to Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna — a revered Shiva shrine steeped in legend, devotion, and coastal serenity:

🕉️ Origins & Legend

• Founded around 345–365 CE by King Mayuravarma of the Kadamba dynasty, the temple is built atop a pre-existing sacred Atmalinga (Pranalinga).
• According to legend, Lord Shiva granted the Atmalinga to Ravana. As Ravana carried it to Lanka, Lord Vishnu created dusk, tricking him into placing it at Gokarna, making the site eternally sacred.

🛕 Architecture & Sacred Layout

• The temple showcases Dravidian-style granite architecture, with later additions from Vijayanagara-era periods.
• At the core lies the 6 ft tall Atmalinga, embedded in a Saligrama Peetha. Devotees can glimpse or touch only its top via a central hole, except during the rare Ashta‑Bandana Kumbhabhishek, held once every 40 years when the full lingam is revealed.
• The complex also houses shrines to Ganapati, Tamragauri (Parvati), Chandikeswara, Dattatreya, and others, highlighting its spiritual richness.

⏰ Timings & Daily Ritual Schedule

• Rituals:
  • Ushakala Puja & Abhishekam begin around 6:30–7:00 AM
  • Rudrabhishekam available on request
  • Evening Deepa Aradhane just before closing ~8:00 PM.
• Touch Darshan to the Atmalinga is permitted only during specific morning hours.
• Free Anna Prasadam (Amrutanna Bhojana) is served daily: lunch (12–2 PM) and evening (7:30–8:30 PM).

🧘 Dress Code & Visitor Customs

• Traditional attire is encouraged:
  • Men: dhoti or mundu (shirtless entry often required inside sanctum)
  • Women: saree or salwar kameez with covered shoulders and below-knee length
  • Jeans, shorts, and footwear are prohibited inside the temple.
• Foreigners are not permitted inside the garbhagriha, though they may partake in outer darshan .

🎉 Festivals & Spiritual Importance

• Maha Shivaratri (Feb/March): temple sees massive crowds, nocturnal worship, and a vibrant Ratha Yatra procession beginning at the Ganapati Temple (“Car Street”).
• Celebrated monthly Shravan Puja, Rathotsava, and special rituals draw pilgrims across Karnataka, as it is one of the seven Mukti Sthalas (salvation spots) in the state.
• The temple’s legend is mentioned in epic and classical texts—Skanda Purana, Raghuvamsha by Kalidasa, and Shri Guru Charitra.

📍 Location & How to Reach

• Address: Koti Teertha Road, Kotiteertha, Gokarna, Karnataka 581326.
• Conveniently located just ~500 m (a 5-minute walk) from Gokarna Main Beach and Bus Stand.
• By Air: Nearest airport is Dabolim Airport (Goa) ~140–150 km away; Mangalore ~190 km.
• By Train: Closest is Gokarna Road Railway Station (~10 km away) with auto or taxi rides available to reach the temple.
• By Road: Well connected via NH‑66 from cities like Bengaluru (~485 km), Mangalore, Goa, Karwar, etc., through regular KSRTC/private buses and cabs.

✅ Quick Snapshot