The Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses the legendary Atmalinga. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, performed penance to receive the Atmalinga from Shiva. On his journey back, Lord Ganesha tricked Ravana, and the Atmalinga became permanently rooted in Gokarna.
Since then, the temple has been revered as a place of immense spiritual power. The Atmalinga is believed to grant the blessings of Lord Shiva, and thousands of devotees visit Gokarna every year to worship here. The word Gokarna means “cow’s ear” in Sanskrit, referring to the spot where Lord Shiva is said to have emerged.