Karnataka · South
GokarnaGokarṇa
Coastal temple town of the Mahabaleshwar Temple, which enshrines the Atmalinga
- Principal temple
- Mahabaleshwar TempleShiva as Mahabaleshwar (the Atmalinga)
- Best time to visit
- October to March
- Nearest airport
- Dabolim International Airport, Goa, ~149 km
- Nearest railway station
- Gokarna Road (GOK), Konkan Railway, ~10 km
- Tradition
- Śaiva
Overview
Gokarna is a historic temple town in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, also known for its beaches. It is known for the Mahabaleshwar Temple, a granite temple dedicated to Shiva that enshrines the Atmalinga and is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams praised in the Tamil Tevaram. According to legend, Ganesha, disguised as a Brahmin boy, set the Atmalinga down here as Ravana carried it from Kailash, rooting it permanently in place. Maha Shivaratri, with its chariot procession, is the town's principal festival.
See sources [1–5]- Shiva as Mahabaleshwar (the Atmalinga)
- Ganesha
