7th March, Monday, 2016 is a Hindu festival Maha Shivaratri

123 feet height towering marvelous sculpture of Great Lord Shiva is situated at Murdeshwar (or Murudeshwar or Murudeshwara) Temple; Murdeshwar town belongs to Bhatkal taluka under Uttara Kannada district in the Indian state of Karnataka. The statue, visible from great distances, is the second highest statue of Lord Shiva in the world. The idol is designed such that it gets the sunlight directly and thus appears sparkling.

Murudeshwara temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by waters of the Arabian Sea. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and a 20-storied Gopura (or Gopuram) is constructed at the temple. The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a breath-taking view of the 123 feet height big Shiva idol from the top of 237.5 feet tallest Raja Gopura. There is also a Rameshwar Linga at the bottom of the hill, where devotees can do seva themselves. Shaneswara temple has been built next to the idol of Lord Shiva. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to it.