The Pancha Linga Temples are a group of five sacred Shiva temples in coastal Karnataka, each associated with parts of the Atmalinga that Ravana was carrying from Kailash to Lanka. According to legend, Ravana performed severe austerities to please Lord Shiva, who granted him the Atmalinga with the condition that once placed on the ground, it would become immovable. Ravana, while transporting the Atmalinga, had to place it down, resulting in its installation at Mahabaleshwar. In his anger, Ravana flung away the casket and the cloth covering the Atmalinga, which scattered across various locations, each becoming a site of worship. These sites are now known as the Pancha Linga Temples.
Murudeshwara Temple
Murudeshwara Temple is associated with the cloth that
covered the Atmalinga, which flung all the way to Murudeshwara and became the
Mridesha Linga. The Shivalinga appeared from the sea and manifested at this
location. The temple is known for its massive Raja Gopuram and the towering
statue of Lord Shiva. The original Shivalinga is below the ground and not
visible to the public; only those performing seva can catch a glimpse of it.
Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple
This temple houses the world's only Atma Linga of Lord Shiva.
The tip of the Atmalinga is visible year-round, but the entire Linga is exposed
for darshan only once a year. This is the main and complete Linga that Ravana
could not move. It is believed that darshan of this Linga fulfills all the
devotees' desires.
Sajjeshwara Temple
Sajjeshwara Temple in Karwar District is where the casket
that carried the Atmalinga fell, transforming into a Shivalinga. Located about
five kilometers from Karwar town, it is the smallest of the five temples and is
seldom visited by devotees.
Dhareshwar Temple
Near Kumta, Dhareshwar Temple is where the strings of the
Atmalinga’s casket fell and became a Shivalinga. The temple is one of the
significant stops on the Pancha Linga pilgrimage.
Gunvanteshwar Temple
The lid of the casket carrying the Atmalinga fell at the
site of Gunvanteshwar Temple and turned into a Shivalinga. This temple is
located near Idagunji, which is famous for its temple of Lord Ganesha.
Significance of the Pancha Linga Temples
Each of these temples holds a unique piece of the sacred
Atmalinga, making them significant pilgrimage sites for devotees of Lord Shiva.
Visiting these temples is believed to confer great spiritual merit and fulfill
the devotees' wishes. The spread of these temples across coastal Karnataka also
highlights the region's rich mythological heritage and the deep-rooted worship
of Shiva.