Murdeshwar is a village in Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India, and lies on the coast of the Laccadive Sea.

The Hindu gods attained immortality and invincibility by worshiping a divine Linga called the Atma-Linga.

Lord Vishnu, who learned of this incident, realised that with the Atma-Linga, Ravana may obtain immortality and wreak havoc on Earth.

Ganesha knew that Ravana was a very devoted person who performed prayer rituals every evening without fail.

Finally, he threw the cloth covering the Atma-Linga to a place called Mrideshwar in Kanduka-Giri (Kanduka Hill).

Murudeshwara Temple was built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Laccadive Sea.

The temple authorities have installed a lift that provides a view of the 123-feet Sri Shiva idol from the top of the Raja Gopura.

The devotees performing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava, etc., can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the sanctum, and the Linga is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests.

A huge towering statue of Shiva, visible from great distances, is present in the temple complex.

The statue was built by Shivamogga's Kashinath and several other sculptors, financed by businessman and philanthropist R. N. Shetty, at a cost of approximately ₹50 million.