Gokarna:-The meaning of Gokarna is "Cow's Ear". This sacred place is located between the Gangavali and Agnashini river mouth and it is named for the ear-shaped meeting of two rivers. It is also believed that Gokarna gets its name from the legend in which Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow.
As Ravana tried to pull the Atmaling it came out in the form of Cow’s Ear hence named the place Gokarna (Go- Cow + Karna – Ear).
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.
Gokarna situated in coastal region of Karnataka about 55 kms from Karwar. It is described as a Shiva Centre, as important as Kashi and Rameshwar. History has it that the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extricate it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples.
The Mahabaleshwara is one of the major temples here. The deity here is two-armed, standing, and atleast 1500 years old. The Bhadrakali and Venkataramana temples, Kotiteertha tank etc., are other holy places here. Gokarna is also famous for its beautiful virgin beaches and breathtaking landscapes.
There is a towering six-foot tall Shivalinga present in Mahabaleshwar Temple, known as Atmalinga and it said to be nearly 1500 years old. According to Hindu mythology, the Shivalinga was rooted in Gokarna by Lord Ganesha. Impressed by Ravana’s stringent penance, Lord Shiva was about to present him with the Atmalinga. However, the other Gods, fearing that it might endow him with unbeatable powers, requested Lord Ganesha to take it away. Heeding their request, Lord Ganesha placed the linga in Gokarna.
Shiva Linga is placed in a square Saligrama Peetha with a hole in the middle. This central hole enables devotees to easily view the top of the Shiva Linga. Apart from this Shiva Linga, the temple also has a 1500 year old carved stone figure of Lord Shiva. People belonging to Hindu religion pay a visit to this temple in order to carry out the final rituals of their deceased relatives. It is said that devotees who catch a glimpse of the linga are showered with blessings. Mahabaleshwar Temple is thronged by hundreds of devotees during the occasion of Shivarathri.
Gokarna is a celebrated pilgrimage center on the coast of Karnataka, enshrining the Aatma Lingam Mahabaleshwar. It is regarded as one of the 7 Mukti Stalas of Karnataka, and it has been revered by the hymns of the Tamil Saints (Nayanmars) of the 1st millennium CE. Gokarna is located at a distance of 170 km from Mangalore, the nearest airport. The seven muktistalas of Karnataka are Udupi, Kollur, Subramanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna. All these shrines are also known as Parasurama Kshetras, created on the land reclaimed from the sea by Parasurama. This is the only Tevara Stalam in Karnataka (Tulu Nadu) hailed by the Tamil songs of the Bhakti movement.
They are also called as Parasurama Kshetras as they are created on the land claimed from the sea by Parashurama. The place of Gokarna is also referred as the Kashi of the South. This place is also popular for Hindus performing the death rites for the departed ancestors at this place.
When Lord Rudra was sent to Patalaloka by Brahma to perform penance, he eventually returns through the ear of the mother earth and blesses her with the name “Gokarna”. Also this place served as a womb for Rudra. It is called as Rudra Yoni and Adi Gokarna.
The Temple:-
The sacred thirtham here is the Koti theertham. The image of Vinayaka bears a dent, said to have been caused when Ravana, enraged at the loss of the Atma Lingam had hit him.
The six feet tall Shivalingam is enclosed inside the peetham. There is a golden rekha on the peetham. The small hole in the middle permits the devotees to have a glimpse of the top of the Atma Lingam. Only once in 40 years, the Lingam can be seen when the Ashta bandana Kumbhahishekam is performed.
Legend of Gokarna:-
In Threthayuga, Ravana (Demon/Asura King of Lanka) reaches Kailasa and performed rigorous penance to get the "Atma Linga" from Lord Shiva, as Ravana's mother expressed a keen desire to worship the atmalinga of Lord Shiva.
After a long penance, Lord shiva gave the "Atma linga" to Ravana as a boon and instructs Ravana to carry it home by walk, that he should never place it on the earth even for a short while failing which the linga would get eternally embedded at the place were he broke his commands.
Lord Maha vishnu learned that Ravana will become all powerful by worshipping the 'Atma linga' and menace to the world and Ravana's conviction that nobody could defeat him, once he acquired the very power of Lord Shiva. Maha vishnu devised a plan to install the linga somewhere and as he thought that Lord Ganapathi was alone capable of doing it, he along with all the gods pleased Ganapathi to execute the plan. Lord Ganapathi accepts and reaches Gokarna as a Brahmin boy.
Ravana asking lord Ganapathi to hold the Atma linga As Ravana was coming near Gokarna. Maha Vishnu who had known well that Ravana was punctual in performing his periodical rites (Sandyavandhana), hides sun with his Sudarshana Chakra (Wheel). Thinking that it was time to perform the evening rites, Ravana finds a Brahmin boy and asked him to hold the Atma linga in his hand till he came back after finishing the rites.
Lord Ganapathi agreed to hold the linga on one condition that he would do so till he would be able to bear the weight of Linga and that thereafter he would call Ravana three times and if failed to come to him by then he would place the linga on the earth.
Lord Ganapathi calls Ravana three times when he was performing his rites and places the linga on the earth and he vanished. The Atma linga at once got firmly entrenched in the earth. Ravana learned that he had been tricked by the Gods.
The depressed demon king Ravana was deeply agitated and tried to pull up the linga, but the linga did not budge a little. It resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. Ravana was unable to lift the Linga from the ground again and called shiva linga as Mahabala (you are too strong). And ever since the Linga illustrious as Mahabaleshwara.
Lord Shiva learnt all these from Vayu deva (Wind god), and came on to Earth with Godess Parvathi devi and his train of Gods, he visited these five places and worshipped the linga which had now taken five forms. He acknowledged that these five places would be his "Pancha kshetras" (Five Holy Places).
It is said that the second part of the Lingam got twisted around and came to be known as Murdeshwar. Overlooking the sea, there is a lovely temple constructed over this part of the Lingam. This place known as Murdeshwar is situated between Bhatkal and Honnavar, on the west coast highway.
The remnant of the Atmalingam which came off like a blade, is known as Dhareshwar (Dhar means a sharp edge) and is at a place called Dhareshwar nearby.
Interestingly, there are a total of six temples on the coast, between Gokarna and Kasargod, all of which show Ganesha in the same posture. These temples are located at Idagunji (66 Km), Anegudde (150 Km), Hattiangady (142 Km), Mangalore (SharavuMahaganapathy, 230 Km) and Kasargod (MadhurMahaganapathy 280 Km).
Also, the legend of the Atmalingam doesn’t end with the Mahabaleshwara temple. It is said that, frustrated with the events, Ravana flung off all the accessories the lingam came with, and as each of them touched the ground, each turned into a lingam! There are 5 such temples around Gokarna. Other than the main temple, these are at Sajjeshwar (the casket carrying the lingam, 35 Kms from Karwar), Dhareshwar (the string covering the lingam. 45 Km from Gokarna) Gunavanteshwar (the lid of the casket carrying the lingam, 60 Km from Gokarna) Murudeshwar, the cloth covering the lingam, 70 Km from Gokarna).
Attractions of Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple In Karnataka:-
Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrim center of South India. It is one of the most worshiped and celebrated pilgrimage in the coast of Karnataka. The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is one of the famous places of Gokarna visited by a large number of devotees every year.
The Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna of Karnataka is regarded as one of the seven Muktisthala temples of Karnataka. This temple is resided by a huge Shivlinga which is called the Atmalinga. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha brought this linga here and it got rooted when he kept it on the ground. This linga was supposed to be given to Ravana by Lord Shiva which would make him very powerful. The other Gods were horrified thinking the result of it. Thus they begged before Lord Ganesha to help them. Then Ganesha took away the linga from the reach of Ravana and then fixed it on the ground so that nobody can pull it out.
One can have a glimpse of this 6 feet tall linga of the Mahabaleshwar Temple of Gokarna during the occasion Ashtabandhana Kumbhabhishekam that too once in 40 years. As the Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna holds the legacy and heroic deed of Lord Ganesha so there is a Ganesha temple located nearby the main shrine. Other than these two Gods, the Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna is also a shrine for Gods like Chandikeswara, Aadi Gokarneswara, Gokarnanayagi and Dattatreya.
The devotees always bath in the sea before entering into the temple, as according to the Hindu mythology it is said that one should purify his body and mind before making any prayer to God. There is also a shivlinga made of sand which the devotees worship.
OM Beach and ocean:-
The beach appeared to be in the shape of Om (omkaram) when it is observed from Helicopter/Aeroplane. Foreigners are still visiting the beach and staying for some days at beach premises. But foregners are not allowed to the inside of the temple premises. The ocean scenary is very beautiful. The sunset and sunrise is very very loving atmosphere.
Ganesh temple:-
Mahabaleshwar temple:-
Famous temple of Shiva . As Ravanasura tried his best with all his best to lift the shiva linga, the linga tooks the shape of an ear of the cow. So it is known as Gokarna. The devotees are allowed to see the linga in garbhalaya and every One can touch the shivalinga and can offer bel leaves and can perform rudrabhisheka with their own hands .
Datta mandir:-
The place where Dattatreya performed penance. Now the place is Termed as Datta mandir. Regular pujas and abhishekas, bhajans are performing in the mandir.
Shivmandir:-
This shivamandir is in the town of Gokarna . Shripada shreevallabha performed abhisheka at that time to this sivalinga. Now it is under control of private persons. One have to enquire about this place in the Gokarna. Only limited persons only knows. It is advised to contact old aged priests of the temple/town.
Temple timings:-
Morning 6.00 A,M. to 12.00 P.M. and evening 4.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M.
Daily pujas:-
Ekarudrabhisheka, Ekadasarudrabhisheka, Harathi, Bel leaves pujas are performing in the inside of the temple. Nominal charges are collecting by the temple for Pujas/abhishekas. Sahasranama, ashtotra pujas are performing in Parvathi temple. Pujas are also performing in the Ganesh temple.
It is advised to contact Sri Ramachandrarao.Jambhe,purohit, radham street in Gokarna for performing all the pujas/abhishekas. It was observed that he is having good swara of rudra mantras and highly co-operative and respectable person. I am advising each and every devotee to visit the place Gokarna and have the blessings of Lord Shiva and Dattatreya.
Festivals:-
Shivaratri festival, observance of the birthday of Lord Shiva, is celebrated in the temple town in February/March, when a very large number of pilgrims visit the shrine. During this festival, Rathyatra is also held when images of Shiva and other deities are installed in the chariot and it is then ceremonially pulled through the town by devotees, accompanied by the drum bands. The Rathayatra starts from the Shri Maha Ganapati Temple at the terminus of the main market street, also known as the 'Car Street'.
How to Reach:-
By Air:-
There is no airport in Gokarna. The nearest airport is at Pune which is about 120kms away. From the airport you can hire a cab or board private buses to reach the district.
By Train:-
The nearest railhead is Wathar in Satara, about 47 km from Gokarna however, the most convenient and well-connected railhead is Pune.
By Road:-
Mahabaleshwar is connected to major towns and cities in the region. From Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar via Pune is 290kms; Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar is 19 kms and Pune to Mahabaleshwar is 120kms. Regular buses ply from Kumata, Karwar, Goa and Mangalore also.
Great site with lots of info... provide hanuman chalisa if possible...
ReplyDeleteश्री हनुमान चालीसा
Delete॥दोहा॥
श्री गुरु चरन सरोज रज, निज मनु मुकुर सुधारि।
बरनउं रघुबर विमल जसु, जो दायकु फल चारि॥
बुद्धिहीन तनु जानिकै, सुमिरौं पवन-कुमार।
बल बुद्धि विद्या देहु मोहिं, हरहु कलेश विकार॥
॥चौपाई॥
जय हनुमान ज्ञान गुण सागर। जय कपीस तिहुँ लोक उजागर॥
राम दूत अतुलित बल धामा। अंजनि-पुत्र पवनसुत नामा॥
महावीर विक्रम बजरंगी। कुमति निवार सुमति के संगी॥
कंचन बरन बिराज सुवेसा। कानन कुण्डल कुंचित केसा॥
हाथ वज्र औ ध्वजा बिराजै। काँधे मूँज जनेऊ साजै॥
शंकर सुवन केसरीनन्दन। तेज प्रताप महा जग वन्दन॥
विद्यावान गुणी अति चातुर। राम काज करिबे को आतुर॥
प्रभु चरित्र सुनिबे को रसिया। राम लखन सीता मन बसिया॥
सूक्ष्म रुप धरि सियहिं दिखावा। विकट रुप धरि लंक जरावा॥
भीम रुप धरि असुर संहारे। रामचन्द्र के काज संवारे॥
लाय सजीवन लखन जियाये। श्रीरघुवीर हरषि उर लाये॥
रघुपति कीन्ही बहुत बड़ाई। तुम मम प्रिय भरतहि सम भाई॥
सहस बदन तुम्हरो यश गावैं। अस कहि श्री पति कंठ लगावैं॥
सनकादिक ब्रह्मादि मुनीसा। नारद सारद सहित अहीसा॥
जम कुबेर दिकपाल जहां ते। कवि कोबिद कहि सके कहां ते॥
तुम उपकार सुग्रीवहिं कीन्हा। राम मिलाय राज पद दीन्हा॥
तुम्हरो मन्त्र विभीषन माना। लंकेश्वर भये सब जग जाना॥
जुग सहस्त्र योजन पर भानू । लील्यो ताहि मधुर फ़ल जानू॥
प्रभु मुद्रिका मेलि मुख माहीं। जलधि लांघि गए अचरज नाहीं॥
दुर्गम काज जगत के जेते। सुगम अनुग्रह तुम्हरे तेते॥
राम दुआरे तुम रखवारे। होत न आज्ञा बिनु पैसारे॥
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना। तुम रक्षक काहू को डरना॥
आपन तेज सम्हारो आपै। तीनों लोक हांक तें कांपै॥
भूत पिशाच निकट नहिं आवै। महावीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
नासै रोग हरै सब पीरा। जपत निरंतर हनुमत बीरा॥
संकट ते हनुमान छुड़ावै। मन क्रम वचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
सब पर राम तपस्वी राजा। तिन के काज सकल तुम साजा॥
और मनोरथ जो कोई लावै। सोइ अमित जीवन फ़ल पावै॥
चारों जुग परताप तुम्हारा। है परसिद्ध जगत उजियारा॥
साधु सन्त के तुम रखवारे। असुर निकन्दन राम दुलारे॥
अष्ट सिद्धि नवनिधि के दाता। अस बर दीन जानकी माता॥
राम रसायन तुम्हरे पासा। सदा रहो रघुपति के दासा॥
तुम्हरे भजन राम को पावै। जनम जनम के दुख बिसरावै॥
अन्तकाल रघुबर पुर जाई। जहाँ जन्म हरि-भक्त कहाई॥
और देवता चित्त न धरई। हनुमत सेई सर्व सुख करई॥
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा। जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
जय जय जय हनुमान गोसाई। कृपा करहु गुरुदेव की नाई॥
जो शत बार पाठ कर सोई। छूटहिं बंदि महा सुख होई॥
जो यह पढ़ै हनुमान चालीसा। होय सिद्धि साखी गौरीसा॥
तुलसीदास सदा हरि चेरा। कीजै नाथ ह्रदय महँ डेरा॥
॥दोहा॥
पवनतनय संकट हरन, मंगल मूरति रुप।
राम लखन सीता सहित ह्रदय बसहु सुर भूप॥
Very useful info for pilgrims. Pilgrims can also find more information on this temple here. https://www.myoksha.com/gokarna-temple/
ReplyDeleteA very informative post on Gokarna, a small temple town. The main temple and deity is Lord Shiva, who is also known as Mahabhaleshwara. Due to its laid-back, unspoiled and rustic nature ,there are places to visit in Gokarna which has become famous in the last decade.
ReplyDeleteInformative details have been shared in this blog. Thanks for sharing this blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is very useful to pilgrims.Try to include the ways like road,train nd airways from Andhra also.
ReplyDeletevery useful .thanks.
ReplyDeleteNice to read your blog. Well written about your experience, thanks for sharing about your travelogue. Love to visit this place with my friends. Really enjoyed reading your blog. Explore to this place by booking bus tickets in Bus Ticket Booking portal for best services.
ReplyDeleteWhen is the shivalinga in gokarna seen in whole which is the year can anyone tell plz
ReplyDeleteI and my family blessed. Om namashivaya nama
ReplyDeleteLooks like a nice assortment..Thanks for sharing! It’s good to find a food that we can actually feed dogs.
ReplyDeleteBeef Ears
Thanks for sharing this information
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ReplyDeleteCan any one give Ramachandrarao.Jambhe phone number or email id
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