Like the majority of Konkan beaches, Murudeshwar Beach is another beautiful and clean sandy beach that extends to 2-3 kilometers along the shallow waters. This serene beach in the town of Murudeshwar faces the blue Arabian waters on one side, while the background consists of hills and mountains. It has been a perfect escape for tourists to enjoy the cool waters splashing across the shores, being one of the best places to visit while in Murudeshwar. The beach is also a great spot for marvelling at the grand Shiva statue, especially with the lights turned on at night.
Places To Visit Near Murudeshwar Beach
The spiritual town of Murudeshwar is home to many beautiful temples besides the world’s third tallest statue of Lord Shiva, resting at a mammoth height of 123 feet. But you cannot just limit this town to its temples; there are many forts, hiking trails and tranquil islands that await your visit.
1. Murudeshwar Temple
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The main religious attraction of this town is the Murudeshwar Temple, which is centred around the world’s third tallest statue, at 123 feet above sea level, depicting Lord Shiva resting. Located on the hill of Kanduka Giri, the temple is surrounded by the sea on all three sides, allowing devotees to enjoy boat rides around the magnificent temple and the lofty statue. Pilgrims flock from all over the country, especially during the grand celebrations of Maha Shivratri in February or March.
The temple is famously known as the Kethappa Narayana temple and has a 20-storey-tall gopuram, which is believed to be the tallest in the world. Guarded by two life-size elephants, the majestic granite temple in Dravidian style is a must-visit during Murudeshwar sightseeing. The complex also houses a small museum that explains in detail the significance of the temple and the mythical stories floating around it.
Location: Main Road Murdeshwar Bhatkal Taluk, Murdeshwar, Karnataka, India 581350
Entry fee: No entry fee
Must Read: Best Places To Visit In Karnataka
2. Mirjan Fort
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If you want to explore Murudeshwar in totality, then you cannot miss visiting Mirjan Fort. A beautiful live example of our valiant history, a land where many battles were fought throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, most tourists visiting Murudeshwar also explore this testament of our glorious past. Queen Chennabhaira Devi, who was interestingly called the ‘pepper queen’, ordered this fort to be built with strong Deccan and Mughal influences in 1640 AD. Just an hour-long drive from Murudeshwar Beach, this historical fort attracts almost all the history buffs and photography enthusiasts that visit this town. This fort is considered as one of the many underrated gems found in Karnataka, with a sprawling 4-hectare complex with double walls and secret passageways offering stunning views from above.
Location: Talluk, Mirjan Fort Road, Mirjan, Karnataka, India 581333
Entry fee: No entry fee
3. Apsarakonda Falls
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The mystical Apsarakonda Falls are believed to be the bathing place for angels, hence the apt name. Since the falls are only 20 Kilometres from Murudeshwar, any tourist visiting the town will definitely visit this popular attraction. Trust us; it is a fun break amidst the spiritual and historical exploration of Murudeshwar. Since they are right behind the Apsarakonda beach, the waterfalls make up for a great place for a quick and refreshing dip in the shallow pond. The sight of falls facing the sea and the water gushing from a considerable height into the pond below resembles a pretty lagoon. The dense green forested surroundings, the beautiful pond, and the hills are an enchanting scene that completely mesmerises all the visitors.
Timings: 6 AM-6 PM
Entry Fee: INR 10 per person
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Murudeshwar
All You Need To Know About Murudeshwar Beach
Murudeshwar Beach is a major tourist attraction in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. Located alongside the Arabian Sea, this seaside town attracts tourists from far and near owing to the numerous beautiful destinations here. A must-visit place in this town – the beauty of Murudeshwar Beach is enhanced by the swaying coconut trees that add to the charm of the overall scenic beauty of this beach. You can also indulge in the local cuisine’s delicious flavours and relish a meal at any of the various small shacks put-up around the beach.
Best Time To Visit The Beach
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Murudeshwar Beach offers a serene view of Lord Shiva’s 123-feet tall statue etched atop the Kanduka Hill. Try to reach this location during the early morning hours to experience the divine energy of this majestic piece of art. If lucky, you might even find the company of flying seagulls and kingfisher birds. With its mighty sea waters splashing against the surface of the beach, the overall scenery of this destination is worthy of a visit that will take not more than 2 hours.
Feel The Adrenaline During The Water Activities
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One of the most fun things to do at Murudeshwar Beach is to indulge in exciting water activities like banana ride, water scooters, water-skiing, speed-boat ride, etc. Most of these can be availed whenever you wish during the day where you will be geared up with all the safety gears. Get into the thrill of experiencing these activities on the calm waters of Murudeshwar Beach. Taking a detour from the spiritual exploration of the famous temples and shedding that devotee persona, you can enjoy a number of adventure activities around the coastline. So, witness the calm beauty of the sea before disrupting it with your water jet.
Suggested Read: Bisle Ghat View Point
Don’t Forget The Culinary Exploration
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Not disappointing any food enthusiasts, you will find various shacks near Murudeshwar Beach, mostly offering a taste of the local cuisine and flavours. No matter whether you spend your time at the beach admiring the great statue while wandering along the coast or trying the different water activities or simply rejuvenating, you must top it with a stop at any of these shacks and get a taste of the various coconut dishes, rice preparations or lip-smacking fish curries.
Further Read: Unchalli Falls
The town of Murudeshwar is much more than being home to one of the largest statues of Lord Shiva. This town has a diverse variety of tourist attractions ranging from temples to forts to beaches. Do not let any further delay and book your trip to Murudeshwar now and explore the many famous spots of this city.
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Cover Image credit: By RNM for Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently Asked Questions About Murudeshwar Beach
Which is the preferred mode for travelling to Murudeshwar town?
Because there is no direct aerial connectivity to Murudeshwar with even the nearest airport being approximately 137 kilometres away in Mangalore; you should consider travelling by train. For that, Murudeshwar Junction is the principal railway station that serves the town of Murudeshwar.
Why is Murudeshwar so famous among the devotees of Lord Shiva?
The main religious attraction of this town is the Murudeshwar Temple as it is centred around the world’s third tallest statue at 123 feet above sea level; depicting Lord Shiva resting. Hence, followers of Lord Shiva come here from all around the country, especially on the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
Is there any other beach near Murudeshwar Beach?
Netrani Island, which is often called the Pigeon Island is another beautiful beach near Murudeshwar. Another one of Karnataka's hidden gems, this location is just a quick 25-minute boat ride away from Murudeshwar. The blue waters of this island are ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling, with the crystal-clear waters allowing visibility up to 30 metres. An interesting fact about this beach is that it is actually in the shape of a heart.
What is the quickest mode of getting to Netrani Island?
There are many ways to reach Netrani Island. But the quickest route involves taking a boat from Murudeshwar to Netrani Island as it is also one of the most convenient ways to commute. It will just take somewhere around 75-90 minutes.
What does the local cuisine of Murudeshwar consist of?
The cuisine in this area is essentially spicy and has subtle influences of Maharashtrian flavours. The delicacies of the local cuisine here are Dosa, Bisi Bele Bath, Akki Roti, Jolada Roti, Idli, Vada, Sambhar, Kesari Bath, Ragi Mudde, Uppittu, and Vangi Bath.
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