SREE MAHABALESHWAR, GOKARANA, KARNATAKA

We proceeded to Gokarana from Idagaunji, at a distance of 63 Kms and reached in an Hour.  Gokarana, a small village is at distance of 177 Kms from Udupi and forms part of Kumta Taluk, Uttara Karnataka District of Karnataka.   The practice here is to first have darshan of the Ganapathy which is just 50 metres from the Mahabaleshwar temple.  

                                                                    Ganapathi Temple

There were only a few devotees and around 50 only were in the Queue and it took just 20 Min for us to have the Darshan of Mahabaleshwar.  Every one who enters the temple in the morning hours are permitted to touch the atma linga,Mahabaleshwar (Sparsha Darshan).   Flowers of assorted varieties and Vilva Leaves are sold outside the Mahaganapathi and as well as Mahabaleshwar temple.

Legend
Ravana, King of Srilanka, after great penance got an Atma Linga from Lord Shiva.  Lord Shiva had instructed that the Linga should not be kept on the   ground anywhere, until he reached his destination.  When Ravana wanted to finish his evening Prayers, the Devas who did not want Ravana to become powerful with that Linga with him, acted through Lord Ganapathi.
Ganapathi disguised as a Brahmin, said to Ravana he wanted to help him and he would hold the Linga until he finished his evening chores.  But before could return after completing his prayers, he kept the Linga on the ground.  Ravana cursed the Brahmin and tried to pull the Linga from the ground and it got lengthened and appeared as the ear of a Cow and the place got the name Gokarna.  The linga could not be retrieved and thus Mahabaleshwar, the atma Linga stayed at Gokarna blessing devotees.  Ganapthi temple is next to Mahabaleshwar temple.

Gokarna Temple Complex also has shrines dedicated to Lord Ganapathi, Lord Dattatreya, and the Goddess Taamaragowri. The Kotitheertham or the Pushkarini is a small manmade tank present near the Gokarna Temple.  The temple bull is of giant size.  

Mahabaleshwar

It is said that the temple was first built by Mayura Sharma of Kadamba Dynasty in the Years 345 - 365 AD.   He wanted to learn on the Vedic Rites and Aswametha Yagna, and went to Kanchipuram, considered at that time, as the seat of Vedic Knowledge and Pallavas were ruling then.  He was insulted by a guard in the pallava Kingdom and thus he took a vow that he would defeat the Pallavas.   He fulfilled his vow by defeating the Pallavas and also ensured that the his suzerainty did not suffer by ordering daily Yagnas to be performed there.  Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa referred to the temple at Gokarana.  Mayura Sharma's son brought more Brahmins to Gokarna and entrusted the administration of the temple to them.  Chatrapati Shivaji has worshipped in this temple.

Dress code at Gokarna was very strictly implemented.  Men will have to necessarily wear a dothi.  Dothi are sold in the Prakara itself and one can get it just before entering the enclosure where the Queue starts inside the temple.  Half covering by Mundu (Towel) is not permissible. 

A must visit place which has religious significance a plenty and also small beach which would provide necessary relief from long drives. 

Temple Timings
06:00 am to 12:30 pm
12:50 pm to 02:00 pm
05:00 pm to 08:00 pm.