World's second-tallest Shiva statue, Murudeshwara Temple

                                                              Gopura of Murudeshwara Temple and Statue of Lord Shiva


Murudeshwara (Kannada: ಮುರುಡೇಶ್ವರ) is a town in the Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. "Murudeshwara" is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. Famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue, Murudeshwara beach town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple.

Major attractions

• Murudeshwara Temple and Raja Gopura: This temple is built on the Kanduka Hill which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Arabian Sea. It is a temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva, and a 20-storied Gopura is constructed at the temple. Two life-size elephants in concrete stand guard at the steps leading to the temple. The entire temple and temple complex, including the 237.5 feet tall Raja Gopura, is one among the tallest, was constructed to its present form by businessman and philanthropist Mr R. N. Shetty.

The temple is entirely modernised with exception of the Sanctum Sanctorum which is still dark and retains its composure. The Main deity is Sri Mridesa Linga, also called Murudeswara. The linga is believed to be a piece of the original Atma Linga and is about 2feet below ground level. The devotees performing special sevas like Abhisheka, Rudrabhisheka, Rathotsava etc. can view the deity by standing before the threshold of the Sanctum and the Lingam is illuminated by oil lamps held close by the priests. The Lingam is essentially a rough rock inside a hollowed spot in the ground. Entry into the Sanctum is banned for all devotees.

• Statue of Lord Shiva: A huge towering statue of Lord Shiva, visible from great distances, is present in the temple complex. It is the SECOND tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world as the first tallest is located in (Nepal)and is made by Mr.Kamal Jain,this is 143 ft.high and the statue is called ( Kailashnath Mahadev ).
• The statue is 123 feet (37 m) in height, and took about 2 years to build. The statue was built by Shivamogga's Kashinath and several other sculptors, financed by businessman and philanthropist Mr R.N. Shetty, at a cost of approximately 50 million Rs. The idol is designed such that it gets the sun light directly and thus appears sparkling. Originally, the statue had four arms, and was adorned in gold paint. However, large wind gusts blew the arm off (the one that held a small drum), and rains dissolved the paint.

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murudeshwara

Some Pictures of the Temple and the Shiva Idol:

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Unknown facts about our planet

• In 1783 an Icelandic eruption threw up enough dust to temporarily block out the

sun over Europe .

• About 20 to 30 volcanoes erupt each year, mostly under the sea.

• A huge underground river runs underneath the Nile, with six times more water

than the river above.

• Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana formed in a hollow made by a meteorite.

• Beaver Lake , in Yellowstone Park, USA, was artificially created by beaver

damming.

• Off the coast of Florida there is an underwater hotel. Guests have to dive to

the entrance.

• Venice in Italy is built on 118 sea islets joined by 400 bridges. It is

gradually sinking into the water.

• The Ancient Egyptians worshipped a sky goddess called Nut.

• The world's windiest place is Commonwealth Bay, Antartica.

• In 1934, a gust of wind reached 371 km/h on Mount Washington in New Hampshire ,

USA.

• American Roy Sullivan has been struck by lighting a record seven times.

• The desert baobab tree can store up to 1000 litres of water in its trunk.

• The oldest living tree is a California bristlecone pine name 'Methuselah'. It is

about 4600 years old. The largest tree in the world is a giant sequoia growing

in California . It is 84 meters tall and measures 29 meters round the trunk. The

fastest growing tree is the eucalyptus. It can grow 10 meters a year.

• The Antartic notothenia fish has a protein in its blood that acts like

antifreeze and stops the fish freezing in icy sea.

• The USA uses 29% of the world's petrol and 33% of the world's electricity.

• The industrial complex of Cubatao in Brazil is known as the Valley of Death

because its pollution has destroyed the trees and rivers nearby.

• Tibet is the highest country in the world. Its average height above sea level is

4500 meters.

• Some of the oldest mountains in the world are the Highlands in Scotland. They

are estimated to be about 400 million years old.

• Fresh water from the River Amazon can be found up to 180 km out to sea.

• The White Sea, in Russia, has the lowest temperature, only -2 degrees

centigrade. The Persian Gulf is the warmest sea. In the summer its temperature

reaches 35.6 degrees centigrade.

• There is no land at all at the North Pole, only ice on top of sea. The Arctic

Ocean has about 12 million sq km of floating ice and has the coldest winter

temperature of -34 degrees centigrade.

• The Antarctic ice sheet is 3-4 km thick, covers 13 million sq km and has

temperatures as low as -70 degrees centigrade.

• Over 4 million cars in Brazil are now running on gasohol instead of petrol.

Gasohol is a fuel made from sugar cane.

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Twelve Jyotirlinga Shrines in India

A Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam (Hindi: ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग) is a shrine where Lord Shiva, an aspect of God in Hinduism is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam or "Lingam (pillar) of light." There are twelve traditional Jyotirlinga shrines in India.

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_12_Jyotirlingas-Map.jpg

The following slogam explains the twelve points in India where the Jyotir Lingams are situated

Saurashtre Somanaatham Cha Sree Saile Mallikarjunam
Ujjayinyaam Mahaakaalam Omkaare Mamaleswaram
Himalaye to Kedaram Daakinyaam Bhimashankaram
Vaaranaasyaam cha Viswesam Trayambakam Gowtameethate
Paralyaam Vaidyanaatham cha Naagesam Daarukaavane
Setubandhe Ramesham Grushnesam cha Shivaalaye || 

Source:http://www.vedarahasya.net/jyotir.htm

The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam, have been held in reverence since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs. The southernmost of these is located at Rameswaram, while the northernmost is located in the snowy heights of the Himalayas at Kedarnath. These temples are closely linked with legends from the puranas and are rich in history and tradition.

1.Somnath is the foremost of the 12 Jyotirlinga Shrines of Shiva, held in reverence throughout India and is rich in legend, traditions and history. It is located at Prabhas Patan in Saurashtra in Gujarat.

2. Ujjain - Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga shrine The ancient and historic city of Ujjain or Avanti in Madhya Pradesh  is home to the Jyotirlinga shrine ofMahakaleshwar.

3. Omkareshwar: an island in the course of the river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh  is home to theOmkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple.

4. Kedarnath - the Northernmost of the Jyotirlingas. Kedarnath, nestled in the snow clad Himalayas is an ancient shrine rich in legend and tradition. It is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.

5.Sree Sailam - Sree Sailam near Kurnool enshrines Mallikarjuna in an ancient temple rich in architectural and sculptural wealth. Aadi Sankaracharya composed his Sivanandalahiri here.

6.Bhimashankar - Jyotirlinga Shrine is associated with the legend of Shiva destroying the demon Tripurasura. Bhimashankar is located in the Sahyadri hills of Maharashtra, accessed from Pune.

7.Varanasi - The most celebrated pilgrimage site in India TheVishwanath temple in Benares in Uttar Pradesh  is the goal of the thousands of pilgrims that visit this ancient city. The Vishwanath shrine is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

8.Tryambakeshwar -  The origin of the river Godavari is intimately linked with thisJyotirlinga shrine near Nasik in Maharashtra.Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrineis a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora, which has several rock cut monuments from the 1st millennium CE.

9.Vaidyanath temple at DeogarhThe ancient pilgrimage town ofDeogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Shiva.

10.Nageshwar near Dwarka in Gujarat  is one of the 12Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

11.Rameswaram: This vast temple in the island of Rameswaram, in Southern Tamilnadu enshrines Ramalingeswarar, and is revered as the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of India.

12.Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Shrineis a temple located in the vicinity of the tourist town of Ellora, which has several rock cut monuments from the 1st millennium CE.

Source:http://www.templenet.com/jyotir.html

Other links:http://www.jyotirlingatemples.com/

http://www.nivalink.com/pilgrimage/jyotirlinga.html

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Natural Bridges & Arches

1. Durdle Door - England Durdle Door is a natural limestone arch on the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, England. It is privately owned by the Welds, a family who own 12,000 acres (50 km2) in Dorset in the name of the Lulworth Estate. It is open to the public. The name Durdle is derived from an Old English word 'thirl' meaning bore or drill.The arch has formed on a concordant coastline where bands of rock run parallel to the shoreline. Here the rock strata are nearly vertical, and the bands of rock are quite narrow. Originally a band of resistant Portland limestone ran along the shore, the same band which can be seen one mile down the coast forming the narrow entrance to Lulworth Cove. 2. Rainbow Bridge National Monument - USA Rainbow Bridge National Monument is administered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, southern Utah, USA. Rainbow Bridge is often described as the world's highest natural bridge. The span of Rainbow Bridge was reported in 1974 by the Bureau of Reclamation to be 275 feet (84 m), but a laser measurement in 2007 has resulted in a span of 234 feet (71 m). At the top it is 42 feet (13 m) thick and 33 feet (10 m) wide. Rainbow Bridge is made from sandstone formed during the end of the Triassic and the Jurassic periods. 3. Sipapu Bridge - USA Sipapu Bridge is a natural bridge or arch located in the Natural Bridges National Monument in the U.S. state of Utah. The bridge spans White Canyon. Sipapu was long reported to have a span of 268 feet by the National Park Service, ranking it as the fourth longest natural arch in the world. A more accurate measurement obtained by laser survey in 2007 revealed the measurement to be a significant overstatement. The Natural Arch and Bridge Society has published a revised span of 225 feet, demoting the arch to a seventh place ranking. Based on specific criteria that separate natural arches from bridges, Sipapu is still ranked as the second longest natural bridge after the more famous Rainbow Bridge National Monument, also in Utah. 4. El Arco - Mexico El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, or Lands End, Cabo San Lucas is a distinctive rock formation at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas, which is itself the extreme southern end of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula. The arch is usually known as El Arco in the town of Cabo San Lucas. This spot is also a popular gathering area for sea lions. Also, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is a 200-foot (61 m) high granite rock. 5. Kentucky Natural Bridge - USA Kentucky Natural Bridge is the centerpiece of Natural Bridge State Park, a Kentucky state park located along the Middle Fork of the Red River, adjacent to the Red River Gorge Geologic Area and surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Natural Bridge which is natural sandstone arch spans 78 ft or 24 meters and is 65 ft or 20 m high. The natural process of weathering formed the arch over millions of years. 6. Xian Ren Qiao - China Xian Ren Qiao (also known as Fairy Bridge), in Guangxi Province, China, with a span of about 295 feet (90 m), and a height of the opening of 210 feet (64 m), appears to be the largest natural bridge in the world. 7. Velika Prerast - Serbia Velika Prerast ("Large Natural Bridge") is situated on the Vratna River in the cliffs about 200 yards behind the Vratna Monastery in the small village of the same name. Vratna is about 33 kms (20 miles) from the town of Negotin in northeastern Serbia. The span is reported at 92 feet with a height of about 100 feet. It is a few hundred feet upstream from another large arch, Mala Prerast. 8. Natural Bridge - USA Natural Bridge, in Rockbridge County, Virginia is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small tributary of the James River) has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming an arch 215 ft (66 m) high with a span of 90 ft (27 m). It consists of horizontal limestone strata, and is the remains of the roof of a cave or tunnel through which the creek once flowed. Natural Bridge has been designated a Virginia Historical Landmark and a National Historical Landmark. The Natural Bridge was a sacred site of the Native American Monacan tribe, who believed it to be the site of a major victory over pursuing Powhatans centuries before the arrival of whites in Virginia. 9. The Bridges of wonder - Bulgaria The Bridges of Wonder are truly wonderful rock formations in Bulgaria.The “bridges” were formed by the erosive activity of the once high-water river. It transformed the marble clefts into a deep water cave, the ceiling of which whittled up through time and collapsed, allegedly during an earthquake. Geologists suppose that the water carried the debris away. 10.Pravicka Brana - Czech Republic This splendid rock formation is located in Bohemian Switzerland. This area is also known as Czech Switzerland, a picturesque region in the north-western Czech Republic . Vault is of 26.50 m, width of 7 to 8 m, height: 21 m. 11. Pont d’Arc - France The beautiful Pont d’Arc is a great natural bridge located in the south of France . The bridge has a width of 60 meters and a height of 45 meters and was carved out by the Ardeche River . It is a very popular canoeing and kayaking area and is heavily visited by tourists. Pont is French for bridge.

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The Top 15 Skylines in the World

1. Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is number one on my list for many reasons: Hong Kong has whopping 39 buildings over 200 meters tall. It also boasts four of the 15 tallest buildings in the world... that's all in one city! Hong Kong's skyline shows a large selection of distinct sky-reaching towers, with beautiful night lighting and reflection. This city exemplifies the post-modern skyscraper and skyline. Finally, the mountain backdrop makes this skyline (as you can clearly see) the greatest on the planet!
Metro/Urban Population: 6.8 million

Hong Kong

2. Chicago, USA
Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. When Chicago built its first steel high-rise in 1885, it was not the tallest structure in the world but the first example of a new form of engineering that would change nearly every city on earth. Chicago has 17 buildings over 200 meters tall (three of which are among the top 20 tallest buildings in the world, including the tallest in North America). Chicago has some of the finest mid-century architecture and examples of modern skyscrapers.
Metro/Urban Population: 8.5 million

chicago

3. Shanghai, China
Not to be mistaken for a space station, Shanghai is a real city! China's biggest and most advanced city, Shanghai was said to be the most cosmopolitan city in the beginning of the 20th century, but lost its glory during the "Mao era". It is now quickly regaining its position as one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the world as well as a showcase of modern architecture. In Shanghai you'll find 18 structures that are over 200 meters tall, one of which is the insanely tall, the 468m downtown Oriental Pearl TV Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 13.1 million

Shanghai

4. New York City, USA
New York City has one of the densest and most diverse skylines, with a huge collection of buildings and building styles. Thanks to Hollywood's obsession with the city, it is also the most easily recognizable skyline in the world. New York City has an amazing 44 buildings over 200 meters - the most in the world! Home of the famous, now destroyed World Trade Center Towers, the Empire State building, the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations, New York City is the financial capital of the western world. Upon the completion of the new "Freedom Tower" (built on the old site of the World Trade Centers), it may rank higher in this list (depending on how good it looks of course).
Metro/Urban Population: 21.0 million

New York City

5. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the world's most populated city. Its skyline has a number of unique characteristics that set it apart from other big city skylines, among them 15 structures at over 200 meters tall (including the Tokyo Tower which changes colors every night). But because of the density and vast size of the city, every corner appears to have its own skyline. With the height restrictions and the required red lights that flash atop all mid to tall-sized buildings make the city look spectacular at night. Tokyo is filled with neon lighting and unique, contemporary architecture, and like New York City is also often portrayed in movies for its aesthetic and eye-catching cityscapes. Interesting fact: Tokyo houses the world's largest fleet of helicopters to get around town if traffic gets too crazy.
Metro/Urban Population: 32.0 million

Tokyo, Japan

6. Singapore
One of the best (urban) planned and cleanliest metropolitan cities in the world, Singapore looks like an architectural model city come to life. The buildings cannot be higher than 280 meters due to air traffic control restrictions, but that has added a tall (but not too tall) and consistent building height and space pattern that makes this skyline unique: Three buildings are exactly 280 meters tall and 5 others (8 total) stand at just over 200 metres. The buildings are mostly light-coloured and there is a large expanse of greenery dotted around the city core. This South-Eastern city is definitely in a league of its own.
Metro/Urban Population: 3.8 million

Singapore

7. Toronto, Canada
Toronto is a meeting place, a crossroads of many cultures and ethnicities. Toronto is downtown Canada, the biggest city in the country with a skyline to match. Toronto has 7 structures in its skyline that stand at over 200 metres, including the astonishingly tall 553 metres, CN Tower, which is often referred to as the tallest freestanding structure in the world. While mostly untrue (because there are taller TV masts in the world), the CN Tower possesses the world's highest observation deck, making this city's skyline one of the most immediately identifiable.
Metro/Urban Population: 5.1 million

Toronto, Canada

8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This is probably the most impressive city worldwide that has less than 2 million residents. Marvelous modern buildings reach the sky here, and while the skyline is not too dense, it does allow buildings to soar and stand out. Kuala Lumpur has three of the 25 tallest buildings worldwide, including the tallest twin buildings, the Pretonos Towers (which are arguably the second and third tallest overall in the world) as well as the 420 meters Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.5 million

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

9. Shenzhen, China
What was a tiny fishing village on the border of Hong Kong in 1970 is now a buzzing metropolis of over four million people. With 13 buildings at over 200 meters tall, including the Shun Hing Square (the 8th tallest building in the world), Shenzen is a marvel of lights after sunset. You can't help but ask yourself if you are in a video game or in a real city.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.2 million

Shenzhen, China

10. Seoul, South Korea
This city's skyscrapers are divided into many clusters, spread amongst the main businesses and residential districts. Most of the recent growth in Seoul's skyline, however, has been of residential towers over 60 storeys high that are shooting up like blades of grass! There are 10 buildings in Seoul over 200 meters tall and much of the mid-rise to high-rise structures are lined up in a linear fashion, creating a "wall" of buildings like no other. Seoul is where the ancient Eastern world meets the modern West.
Metro/Urban Population: 20.8 million

Seoul, South Korea

11. Sao Paolo, Brazil
"What building did you say they lived in?" Finding it in the largest mass of condensed apartment buildings anywhere would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Sao Paolo has a population of over 18 million people! While the buildings are not super tall (with only a single structure at over 200 meters tall) this skyline is nevertheless stacked. Sao Paolo has a fleet of over 500 helicopters, the second largest helicopter fleet in the world.
Metro/Urban Population: 18.3 million

Sao Paolo, Brazil

12. Sydney, Australia
Australia's showcase city, Sydney has one of the most recognizable skylines due to its world-famous harbour, often referred to as the most beautiful natural harbour in the world. The Sydney Harbour has many bays, inlets and secondary harbours. It is spanned by the monumental Harbour Bridge, and the Opera House decorates the shoreline like a white flower. The Sydney skyline is world-class with hundreds of skyscrapers in the central business district and many more high-rise buildings in the outlying neighbourhoods. Sydney has 8 buildings over 200 meters tall.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.2 million

Sydney, Australia

13. Frankfurt, Germany
Certainly one of Europe's most interesting cities in terms of skylines, Frankfurt is home to five structures that are over 200 meters tall. These modern skyscrapers are marvels compared to those other, mostly non-existent ones scattered across European cities. The contrast here is interesting: The city combines low-rise, high-density traditional European architecture (some of which is over 1,000 years old), with modern towers that stick out like sore thumbs, but are impressive nonetheless.
Metro/Urban Population: 4.1 million

Frankfurt, Germany

14. Dubai, United Arab, Emirates
Is this a mirage in the Middle East? Seemingly out of nowhere emerges a city in the middle of a desert. This is Dubai, a city that produces only the best modern architecture in the world. Already home of the world's tallest all-hotel building and the tallest all-residential building in the world, AND currently proposed to build the world's tallest building, this skyline might just leap to the number 1 spot in the near future. While the skyline is not so dense, each building is a marvel all on its own. As a skyline it probably can't compete with the larger cities, however the individual buildings in this city are by far the greatest examples of modern architectural accomplishments. All seven structures in this city at over 200 meters tall were built in 1999 or later ! - that's how new this city is.
Metro/Urban Population: 1.6 million

Dubai, United Arab, Emirates

15. Guangzhou, China

Metro/Urban Population: 4.1 million

Guangzhou, China

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