Raja Gopura of #MurudeshwaraTemple ●Located in Murdeshwar, Karnataka ●Marvelous 20-storied Gopuram ●Height of 237.5 ft (72 Meters) ●The Lanka King Ravana wanted to attain immortality by obtaining the Atma-Linga (Soul of Shiva). Since the Atma-Linga belonged to Sri Maheshwara, Ravana worshipped Shiva with devotion. Pleased by his prayers, Sri Mahadevaappeared before him and asked him what he wanted. Ravana asked for the Atma-Linga. Sri Rudra agreed to give him the boon on the condition that it should never be placed on the ground before he reaches Lanka. If the Atma-Lingawas ever placed on the ground, it would be impossible to move it. Having obtained his boon, Ravana started back on his journey to Lanka. Lord Vishnu, who came to know of this incident, realised that with the Atma-Linga, Ravana may obtain immortality and wreak havoc on earth. He approached Sri Ganesha and requested him to prevent the Atma-Linga from reaching Lanka. Sri Skandapurvaja knew that Ravana was a very devoted person who performed prayer rituals every evening without fail. He decided to make use of this fact and came up with a plan to confiscate the Atma-Linga from Ravana. As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Sri Mahavishnublotted out the sun to give the appearance of dusk. Ravana now had to perform his evening rituals but was worried because with the Atma-Linga in his hands, he would not be able to do his rituals. At this time, Sri Shashivarnam in the disguise of a Brahmin boy accosted him. Ravana requested him to hold the Atma-Linga until he performed his rituals, and asked him not to place it on the ground. Sri Vinayaka struck a deal with him saying that he would call Ravana thrice, and if Ravana did not return within that time, he would place the Atma-Linga on the ground. Ravana returned to find that Sri Chaturbhuja had already placed the Atma-Linga on the ground. Sri Keshava then removed his illusion and it was daylight again. Ravana, realising that he had been tricked, tried to uproot and destroy the linga. Due to the force exerted by Ravana, some pieces were scattered. Finally, he threw the cloth covering the Atma-Linga to a place called Mrideshwar or Murdeshwar. 📸 : @themandirguy (at Murudeshwara Temple,karnataka) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-VrXZFxNS/?igshid=y9py1e90s5qd