Mahabaleshwar Temple
The meaning of Gokarna is "Cow's Ear". This sacred place is located between the Gangavali and Agnashini river mouth and it is named for the ear-shaped meeting of two rivers. It is also believed that Gokarna gets its name from the legend in which Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow.
The Mahabaleshwar temple at Gokarna is respected as a Shaiva pilgrimage centre and as important as Kashi and Rameshwara pilgrimage centers for Hindus. Gokarna is also respected as "siddi kshetra" and "Mukti Stala" of Karnataka.
According to the legend, the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extract it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Atma Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. Ravana was unable to extract the Atma Linga from the ground again and finally he called the shiva linga as Mahabala (you are too strong). The Atma Linga of Lord Shiva is popularly known as Mahabaleshwar.
The Mahabaleshwar temple is the main attraction at Gokarna. The deity here is two-armed, standing, and at least 1500 years' old. The temple enshrines Mahabaleshwar, in a square Saligrama Peetha. A small hole in its middle permits devotees to have a glimpse of the top of the Atma Linga.
Also located around Gokarna are Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. These four temples along with Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple are respected as the Pancha Kshetras.
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