Shree Maha Ganapati Dev temple Gokarna — Attraction in Karnataka

Gokarna has a lot of attractions all around. One of them is the holy Maha Ganapati Temple, one of the most popular pilgrim sites in South India. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the temple is visited by thousands of Hindu devotees from all over the country every day. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana was once returning to Lanka from Mount Kailash after a penance of Lord Shiva. As an appreciation for his efforts, Lord Shiva gifted him a Shiv Lingam, but the thing was it could only be kept on the earth once, and the place where it would be kept would become its final stop. But, all the other gods didn't want him to reach Lanka with Shiv Linga because they didn't believe Ravana and thought it was not safe to let him take the Lingam to his place. All of them asked Lord Ganesha for help and made a plan to stop Ravana. This was when Lord Ganesha took the guise of a young boy and came to earth. All the other gods created an illusion of sunset from above the sky as they knew that Ravana was very strict and disciplined with his rituals. As soon as he noticed the sunset, he wanted to get done with his evening rituals. At the same moment, Lord Ganesha (in disguise) appeared before him, and Ravana asked the young boy if he could hold the Lingam for a while. The young boy agreed but clarified that he would only hold it as long as he could, then would call Ravana thrice and put the Lingam on the earth after that. Ravana was confused, but he had no option other than to agree with the young boy. He handed over Lingam to Lord Ganesha and started with his prayers. After some time, Lord Ganesha called him, but to complete his prayers, he asked the young boy to hold it for some more time. The young boy called him a second time and a third time soon. Before Ravana could come and hold the Shiv Linga, he put it on the earth. Meanwhile, when Ravana was trying to get the Shiv Linga back, the young boy started walking away. But, the Shiv Lingam was now placed and could not be placed anywhere else. Ravana was in anger and threw a stone at the young boy. The stone attacked his head, and this was when Lord Ganesha appeared in his own identity, and Ravana realized how all the Gods had tricked him. So, the place where Shiva Lingam was placed was built and developed as the Mahabaleshwara temple. As Lord Ganesha played a vital role, the Maha Ganapati Temple was made close to the Mahabaleshwara temple. Lord Ganpati's statue in the temple, which is around 1,500 years old, has a hole on the top of its head, which reminds us of the stone that Ravana...

According to the Sthala Purana or legend of the place, when the mighty demon king Ravana was traveling from Mount Kailasa towards his kingdom Lanka, carrying the Atmalinga of Lord Shiva, after being granted a boon by Lord Shiva himself following a long penance, Ravana stops at Gokarna for his Sandhya Vandana. Seizing the opportunity, the God's hatched a plot against Ravana as they did not want him to finish the journey to Lanka with the Atmalinga. They request and send Lord Ganesha, who took the avatar of a young cowherd boy to deceive Ravana and keep Atmalinga on the ground. As the condition was that wherever Atmalinga is lowered and kept on the ground first, that place shall become its final place of worship. Accordingly Ravana asked the cowherd boy (Lord Ganesha in disguise) to hold the AtmaLinga, so that he can complete his daily rituals and informed the boy that the Linga should not be placed on the land. But Lord Ganesha, in disguise as a boy kept the Linga on the earth and the AtmaLinga got fixed in the earth. Despite all his immense strength Ravana could not lift it or remove it. Angered Ravana, hits the boy (Lord Ganesha) on head with his fist. So the Ganesha statue here has a dent on the top of His Head. Pilgrims visiting Lord Shiva in the form of Gokarna Mahabaleshwara here, must first seek the Blessing of ಶ್ರೀ Maha Ganapati or Lord Ganesha before visiting the Mahabaleshwara Temple.

At the entrance of the temple, situated in the middle of a road, you can spot a few local tribal barefooted Hallakki Gowdti women selling flowers to earn their living. As you enter the precinct, a railing separates the queues of people going in and coming out. Temple bells swing carelessly overhead and its pealing sounds fill the premises. The statue of Lord Ganesha faces west towards the Indian Ocean. You are guided to walk around the idol and as you complete the pradakshina, a priest offers prasada and theertha. This is relatively a small temple and, with a moving queue, you would be in and out in less than 10 minutes. Please be dressed in Indian...

Maha Ganapati Temple is a prominent pilgrim site in Gokarna in the state of Karnataka. Maha Ganapati Temple is a famous religious site and is visited by thousands of devotees from all over the country. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, a popular and loved deity of the Hindupantheon. The temple is located near another popular pilgrim site, Mahabaleshwara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

According to legend, when mighty Ravan was carrying the Shivalinga to Lanka after getting it from Lord Shiva, he was at Gokarna and asked a boy (Lord Ganesha in disguise) to hold the Linga so that he can complete his daily rituals and informed the boy that the Linga should not be placed on the land. But Lord Ganesha, in disguise as a boy kept the Linga on the earth and Ravan could not lift it. Angered Ravana take stone and hits Ganesha on head. So the Ganesha statue here has a hole one top of the head. The pilgrims must seek the blessing of Lord Ganesha before visiting the Mahabaleshwara Temple.

Maha Ganapati temple ambience is calm and the presence of divine entity can be felt at every corner of the temple. The serenity of the place helps to rejuvenate and calm the inner soul of the individuals visiting the place. The artistic design and the marvellous structure inside the temple are also worth appreciating. The Maha Ganapati temple is truly a wonderfully fascinating one.

It is advisable to understand the local custom without hurting the religious sentiments of the locals. One must wear decent attire while visiting the Maha Ganapati temple. There is also an amazing beach near the temple which is also worth visiting. August to December is the best time to visit the place. The Mahashivaratri celebration is held with great grandeur surrounding both the temples. There are regular trains to Gokarna from all the major cities...