Shiva of Murudeshwara, Hindu statue in Uttara Kannada District, India
The Shiva of Murudeshwara statue stands 37 meters tall above the Arabian Sea and is the second largest representation of Lord Shiva in the world. It rises from a temple complex by the water and is visible from far away, making it a dominant feature of the coastal landscape.
The statue was completed in 2006 and stands near the ancient Murudeshwara Temple, where sacred texts say a fragment of the Atma Linga once fell. This connection to the old temple shows the spiritual continuity of the site across many centuries.
The statue shows Lord Shiva with long hair and a snake around the neck, key symbols in Hindu worship that visitors recognize from religious tradition. These features make the place meaningful for pilgrims who come to connect with their faith and understand the deity's role in their beliefs.
You can reach the statue by the Konkan railway line that connects Mumbai to Mangalore and stops regularly at Murudeshwara station. From the station, the site is easy to walk to or reach with local transport.
The statue has a gold-painted surface that reflects sunlight and creates different visual effects throughout the day. This changing appearance makes each visit a different experience depending on the time you arrive.
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