Sadashiva Mahaaganapati devalaya — Attraction in Karnataka

The Sadashiva temple has a mythological story associated with it. It is believed that the top portion of the famed ‘atma-linga’ fell here.

In Hindu mythology, the story goes that the ‘atma-linga’ had the power to make the Gods immortal. This atma-linga was in the custody of Lord Shiva. Ravana, the asura king, and the reigning king of Lanka desired to attain immortality. To fulfill this desire, he conducted strong penance to Lord Shiva and was successful in pleasing the Lord. Having been pleased by Ravana, Lord Shiva offered him a boon. Ravana asked for the Atma-linga and Shiva relented on the condition that it should not be put down on the ground or anywhere else till the time he reached Lanka.

Narada judged the ominous situation of Ravana getting immortal. He sought the help of Lord Ganesha in this matter. With the help of Lord Vishnu’s illusion, Ganesha, in the disguise of a Brahmin boy appeared before Ravana at the time of him needing to take a bath. Ravana took a long time to return from his bath and the Brahmin boy (Ganesha) got impatient. He left the linga on the ground and left – the place is now called Gokarna.

On seeing the atma-linga on the ground, the furious Ravana tried to uproot it from the ground. On striking the linga, parts of it broke and the top-most part is said to have fallen at Surathkal where the Sadashiva temple is located. Sadashiva temple has been built around the headstone, while the famous Murudeshwara temple was built where the second piece fell.

Incidentally this is also how Surathkal got its name – ‘Shiradakal’ in Kannada means headstone. Considering the hot and humid summers of the region, the best timing to visit Surathkal as a tourist is between November to...

Visited on shivarathri evening as I expected large crowds in kadri and other shiva temples. Since.this was closest to Nitk, made.my way here. The twmple was decorated with lights. A small, floating crowd was making their way in / out of the temple. As I entered the temple, I could here the sri rudram / chamakam being chanted in the inner sanctorum with great devotional fervour. Prayed to the Lord Almighty. There is a small gate at the back that leads to the beach. Could see the light house from within the temple compund. An evening...

Very famous and old temple of surathkal

The famous Sadashiva temple on the shores of Arabian Sea (Lakshadweepa samudra ) is said to be built around the linga that a Rakshasa by name Kharasura carried on his head. Another legend is that When Ravana threw in fit of rage the atma shivalinga some of the pieces from shivalinga were fallen at place where Sadashiva temple is at present. Noted historian Padoor Gururaj Bhat is of opinion the temple might have been constructed around 11 C.E. ( 11 A.D...