Murudeshwar

Murudeshwar is a small village along coastal north Karnataka. It hosts a very ancient Shiva temple and has been part of the pilgrim circuit since a long time.

Today, the village boasts a resort, quiet beaches and decent tourist facilities thanks to the infrastructure set up by the R.N Shetty family (recall RNS motors?).

The trust has a neat R.N.S hotel with multi cuisine restaurants abutting the sea. You can laze away at the beach or just take in the views of the fisherfolk from your room balcony. I would rather hire the hotel kayaks or the water scooters. The trust has also provided for schooling and a hospital in the area. No wonder then that the entire area is also known as Shetty Land, without contempt.


The main attraction of the village is a mammoth Shiva statue which can be seen miles afar. The statue faces away from the sea and casts a vast shadow on the ocean waters at night. Other scenes from the Mahabharata are depicted by idols scattered along the park. The statue looks a luminescent purple in the day and sparkles silver at night.

Don't bother to take the boat rides in the ocean, unless you have nothing better to do. Save the boat ride for Malpe instead (See "Treasure Island") . It is worth visiting Murudeshwar for some hours or a night.

Link to R.N.S