Mahabaleshwar Temple, Hindu temple in Gokarna, India

Mahabaleshwar Temple is a 4th-century Hindu temple in Gokarna, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, built in the Dravidian style. Its entrance has a pink facade with a triangular red roof and the Kannada name "ಕೋಟಿ ಕರ್ಮಲಿಂಗ" above the door; behind rises a dark, tiered stone tower with carved motifs and a rounded finial. The Atmalinga sits on a square Saligrama pedestal with a central hole through which devotees view its top.

Mayurasharma of the Kadamba dynasty founded the temple in the 4th century after Christ. Later rulers carried out structural expansions and secured its continuous use for more than 1600 years.

The full name of the sanctuary means Lord of Great Strength and points to its central role in the lives of worshippers. Visitors notice the custom of local pilgrims bathing in the sea before entry and then walking barefoot through the entire grounds.

The sanctuary opens in the morning from 6 o'clock and in the evening from 5 o'clock with a midday break in between. Visitors should wear loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees and be prepared to remove shoes before the entrance.

The Atmalinga sits on a square Saligrama Peetha with a small hole at its centre, through which devotees view the top of the linga. Foreigners, including practising Hindus of non-Indian origin, may not enter the sanctum and see the Shivalinga. The temple is one of the 275 paadal petra sthalams sung in the Tevaram by the Nayanar saints.