 World's tallest Siva idol
 Few people have ever heard of a place called Murudeshwar. Even in India it seems to be little known which is both a shame and a fortune for the little town on the northern coast of Karnataka.
It lacks these typical crowds of tourists, its beach is not paved with colourful bath towels and its people fortunately haven't learned yet how to exploit unsuspecting visitors.
Instead, Murudeshwar offers you endless walks on the beach, a refreshing breeze carrying the pure smell of the sea and an atmosphere that belongs to something between a turbulent village and a drowsy town.
 However, the highlights of Murudeshwar lie beyond its nice beach and rural flair. A breathtaking view awaits you when moving towards the little headland dividing the beach into north and south. There, on a little green hill, a 37m (or 123 feet) Lord Shiva idol sits enthroned, surrounded by smaller, but not less impressive, statues illustrating moments of the Hindu mythology.
When the morning sun floods the idol with its rays making it shine like gold, you will feel deeply impressed and reverent - either towards the force and pride of the God or towards the work of art. No wonder, the statue in Murudeswhwar is the biggest Lord Shiva idol in the whole world and its superior aura can't be denied even by non-Hindus.
And if you want to discover the world under the surface, Murudeshwar has beautiful places where you can go snorkelling (which is safe even for the little ones) or scuba-diving. If you already know how to dive and have your equipment with you, simply ask one of the boatmen to take you to Netrani Island, where you will find crystal clear water and a vast amount and diversity of exotic plants and living things unique to India.
 However, if you want to learn how to dive, it's safer to call the reception of the RNS Yatrinivas Hotel first as diving instructors are not around throughout the year. You can stay in the three star RNS Yatrinivas which offers you the most beautiful view both over the sea and of the Siva idol. You will be satisfied if you are looking for nice service and exclusive food.
But if you have to manage with a lower budged you will find it easy to get a comfortable place to stay in the town of Murudeshwar or in the guesthouse which is situated behind the RNS hotel.
To reach Murudeshwar, you can either take the bus (500 km from Bangalore) or go by train. The train station for Murudeshwar is on the Konkan Railway route
Mangalore-Goa-Mumbai.
For more details, please contact:
RNS Yatrinivas
Murudeshwar - 581350
Uttara Kannada
Karnataka
Tel (0838) 560060, 568900, 568903
Fax (0383) 560427
www.naveenhotels.com
Ania Zymelka
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