Plan your trip · Murudeshwar
What's on in Murudeshwar
Upcoming festivals, fairs and events in Murudeshwar — plan your visit around them, then check the best time to visit.
Nothing dated is confirmed for Murudeshwar right now, so here is the year instead — the fixtures that come round annually, and what each one means for a visit.
The year in Murudeshwar
Murudeshwar's calendar works around the monsoon — the big outdoor events sit either side of it, and the wettest weeks are the quietest ones for anything held in the open. Broadly, Oct – Mar is when visiting is most comfortable here, and that is when the calendar is busiest — which also means accommodation is most expensive and books furthest ahead.
Most of these follow lunar calendars and move by weeks from year to year, so treat the windows below as the season rather than the date, and confirm the year’s dates before you book around one.
Nationwide
Diwali
🗓️ October–NovemberThe biggest holiday of the year — lamps, sweets, fireworks and a week of visiting family. Cities are lit up and markets stay open late.
Holi
🗓️ MarchColoured powder and water, thrown at anyone within reach, mostly through the morning.
Navratri and Dussehra
🗓️ September–OctoberNine nights of fasting, music and dance, ending with Dussehra. What it looks like changes completely by region — garba in Gujarat, pandals in Bengal, processions in the south.
Eid al-Fitr
🗓️ shifts ~11 days earlier each yearThe end of Ramadan. The old quarters of Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Bhopal are at their best in the evenings through the preceding month, when food streets run past midnight.
Makar Sankranti and Pongal
🗓️ mid-JanuaryThe harvest turn, marked with kites in the west and north and four days of Pongal in Tamil Nadu.
Murudeshwar's calendar revolves around its Shiva temple. Mahashivaratri, in February or March, is the biggest day of the year, with night-long prayers and large crowds of pilgrims. The temple's Rathotsava, when the deity is pulled through the streets on a decorated chariot, falls in the Hindu month of Phalguna, around the same time of year. Karthika month, in November or December, brings lamps and special prayers, and nearby Idagunji draws big crowds on Sankashti Chaturthi and Ganesh Chaturthi.
Most of these festivals follow the lunar calendar and move from year to year, so check the dates with the temple before you plan around one, and book early if you want to stay in town.
Tips for Attending Events & Festivals in Murudeshwar
- Expect long queues at the temple on Mahashivaratri, and arrive early.
- Follow the temple dress code, which applies on festival days too.
- Book a room early for Mahashivaratri and long weekends.
- Carry water, as queues often form in the open sun.
- Keep your phone and wallet secure in the crowds.
- Wear sandals you can slip off quickly at the temple entrance.
Questions
Murudeshwar — FAQ
What are the main festivals in Murudeshwar?
The biggest is Mahashivaratri at the Murudeshwar temple. The temple's Rathotsava (chariot festival), Karthika month celebrations and the Ganesha festivals at nearby Idagunji are also important.
When is Mahashivaratri celebrated in Murudeshwar?
Mahashivaratri usually falls in February or March. Pilgrims pray through the night and the temple is at its busiest, so check the exact date for the year before you travel.
What is the Murudeshwar Rathotsava?
It is the temple's annual chariot festival, when the deity is taken out in procession on a decorated wooden chariot. It is held in the Hindu month of Phalguna, usually around February or March.
Is it worth visiting Murudeshwar during a festival?
Yes, if you want to see the temple at its most lively. Be ready for crowds, long queues and fully booked rooms, and plan the beach and Netrani for other days.