Temples in Gokarna

Mahabaleshwar Temple is situated in Gokarna, Karnataka. It is one of the pilgrimage sites in South India. The importance of Mahabaleshwar temple in many Puranas like Bhagavata Purana, Sthala Purana, Guru Purana and Skanda Purana. The Hindu saint Sri Adi Shankaracharya established the Ramachandrapura Mutt in Gokarna. Lord Shiva is the main deity at Mahabaleshwar temple. This temple is between the rivers Gangavali and Agnashini and the temple is also famous as Dakshina Kasi and Bhookailasa. The top of the Atmalinga is the only part of the Linga that is visible to devotees. But during the Ashta Bandana Kumbhahishekam, a festival that happens once every 40 years, the entire Atmalinga is shown to the devotees as the image of Lord Shiva in the temple is 1500 years old.

The temple is located near the Mahabaleshwara temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is one of the pilgrimage sites while visiting Gokarna of Karnataka state. The Maha Ganapati Temple is beautifully designed and has some amazing structures inside it that will thrill you thoroughly. The temple is situated on the road and you can find several people selling flowers and incense sticks to offer to the Lord Ganapati. The effect of a hundred bells reflecting through the temple hall makes you relax and enjoy the peacefulness all around. The idol of Lord Ganesha is small in size with a hole on its head. Once you reach the idol, you will be guided to take a few parikramas around it and then the pandit will offer you Prasad.