Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – The Temple

Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna – The Temple

The temple is built of granite in the Dravidian architectural style. The temple architecture is similar to Kerala style architecture with wood and Mangalore tiles. Interestingly, the location of the temple is considered more auspicious being facing the west, flanked by the Karwar beach on the Arabian Sea. By custom, the devotees must take a bath at the beach, then pay obeisance at the adjacent Maha Ganapati Temple before stepping into the Mahabaleshwar Temple.

Presiding Deity is called as Mahabaleshwar / Piranalingeswarar / Aathma Lingeswarar. Presiding Deity is facing west and there are entrances on the south and west side. The Atmalinga is enshrined in the temple on a square Saligrama Peetha (pedestal). The pedestal has a small hole at its centre from where devotees can see the top of the Atmalinga.

The devotees can only get a glimpse of the top of the Linga until the day of Ashta Bandana Kumbabishekam in every 40 years when it’s seen in its entirety. The deity, a carved stone image of Lord Shiva, is seen in a standing position with two arms. The stone image is said to be 1500 years old. Devotees can do abishekam and pooja to the presiding deity through their own hands. Foreigners, including practicing Hindus of non-Indian (Western) origin are not allowed to enter the sanctum-sanctorum and see the Shivalinga.

Mother is called as Gokarneswari / Tamra Gowri. Mother is housed in a separate shrine facing east. She is holding a balance in her hands. Her shrine is situated to north of the temple premises i.e. behind the sanctum. It is said that the goddess is weighing the greatness of Gokarna against Varanasi.

There is a pond opposite to Tamra Gauri Shrine.  This pond is closed by door always. This is known as Tamra Kunda and if a Asthi bones of dead are immersed in this pond, the dead remains in Heaven till the Asthi is remain in pond and the dead gets a rebirth as a King when the Asthi move out of this pond and meet sea water. Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in Tamra Kunda. 

There are shrines for Dattatreya, Aadhi Gokarneswarar, Aadhi Gokarna Nayagi, Vinayagar, Mahishasuramardhini and Chandikeswara in the Temple premises. There is a Shrine dedicated to Vinayagar called Maha Ganapathy on the east side of the temple. The image of Vinayaka bears a dent, said to have been caused when Ravana, enraged at the loss of the Athma Lingam had hit him. Theertham associated with this Temple is Koti Theertham.