Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple

On the third day of our Mangalore trip being in RNS residency near by Murudeeswara temple , we once again had the dharshan of the Lord Shiva and after breakfast we started to Gokarna 

Brahma Muraari Surarchita Lingam
Nirmala Bhaashita Sobhitha Lingam
Janmaja Dhukha Vinaasaha Lingam
Tatpranamaami Sadaashiva Lingam

A verse from linghastakam.

Meaning: I bow before that Sada Shiva Lingam, which is worshiped by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods. It is pure and resplendent, and destroys sorrows arising out of birth and death.

Gokarna is a ancient temple town and center for Sanskrit studies.  It is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka State. Gokarna means ” Cow’s Ear “- It is believed that Lord Shiva has emerged from the ear of a cow. This town lies between the rivers Gangavali and Agnashini and situated along the Karwar coast by the Arabian Sea.

The Mahabaleshwar temple at Gokarna is respected as a Shaiva pilgrimage centre than a tourist destination and as important as Kashi and Rameshwara pilgrimage centers for Hindus. Gokarna is also respected as “siddi kshetra” and “Mukti Stala” of Karnataka.

One can go for sparsh darshan of aatma Linga during the restricted timings. The priest helps us to feel the Atmalinga keeping our 3 fingers inside .

The rituals for ancestors are being done in this temple .

This is one of the major temples here. It houses the famous Atmalinga here. Before worshipping at the Mahabaleshwara temple, there is a custom that one has to bath in the sea and pay respect to a Shivalingam, made out of sand.

There is six feet tall Atmalinga here enshrined in a square called Saligrama Peetha. It is opened for viewing once in forty years. Now only the tip of the Linga can be seen through a opening in the Peetha. Another Mythlogical reference to Gokarna describes how Ravana went to Mount Kailasa to perform penance and get “Atmalinga” from lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva handed the Atmalinga and instructed him not to place it on the ground till he reached Lanka.If he placed it down then it would establish itself on the ground. On seeing this other Gods got threatened and went to seek Lord Shiva’s help, who devised a plan with Lord Ganesha.

On his way back to Lanka, Ravana stops for a prayer in Gokarana.  Ganesha disguises himself as a Brahman boy and tells Ravana that he will hold the Atmalinga till he finishes his prayers on the condition that he would hold it till he can bear its weight and thereafter he would call Ravana three times. If Ravana failed to come back in time he would place the Atmalinga on the ground. Before Ravana could come he places the Atmalinga on the ground it firmly gets attached to the Earth.

Ravana furiously with all his effort tries to extricate it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples (the last places is very near Karwar).
Maha Ganapati TempleThere is Ganapathy temple near by this temple here the Lord Ganesha is in standing posture. 
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.