Murudeshwara Temple

Murudeshwara Temple sits dramatically on the Arabian Sea coast in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue — the 249-foot (76-metre) Shiva Murudeshwara statue built in 2008 from concrete cladded with stone. The ancient temple itself is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Murudeshwara (lord of Mura, an ancient name for Shiva).

The complex features a 20-storey Rajagopuram (temple tower) completed in 2008, which contains a lift to reach the top for panoramic views of the Arabian Sea. The life-size statue of seated Shiva, visible from the sea, makes this one of the most photographed temple sites on the West Coast. According to legend, the Atma Linga — a unique linga given by Shiva to Ravana — came to rest here after being tricked into placement by Ganesha, making this site one of the holiest Shiva kshetras in South India.