Gokarna

Gokarna is a small and remote holy town with four of India's most secluded beaches nestled nearby. It draws both pious pilgrims and hedonistic holidaymakers with equal enthusiasm. Travel to Gokarna to get a feel for what Goa was like in its heyday, although time is limited as developers are already seeing the potential of this area and commercialization is setting in. The secret is already out among tourists -- both foreign and domestic -- too. This Gokarna guide will help you plan your trip. History According to Hindu mythology, Gokarna's existence can be traced all the way back to the ancient epic The Ramayana, which tells the story of Lord Ram's life and rescue of his wife Sita from demon king Ravan. It's said that Lord Ganesh fooled Ravan into relinquishing the Atma Linga (the Soul of Lord Shiva that bestows immortality and invincibility) in Gokarna, while was he taking it to his kingdom in Sri Lanka. The Atma Linga is believed to be installed in the town's Mahabaleshwar temple. There's also a How to Get There The nearest airport is Dabolim, in Goa. From there it's a four hour drive south to Gorkana. Alternatively, trains on the Konkan railway stop at Gokarna Road station, 15 minutes from town. There are railway stations at Kumta and Ankola, both about 25 kilometers (16 miles) from Gokarna, as well. Gokarna is also connected by bus from major cities such as Madgaon in Goa, and Mangalore and Bangalore in Karnataka. If you're interested in seeing a festival, aim to be th...

Craving to feel the sand beneath your feet and the salty air in your hair but don’t wish to advent to the overcrowded beaches and chaotic realms of Goa? Fret no more because a budget vacation to Gokarna presents the ideal confluence of tranquillity and magnificence that will rejuvenate both the mind as well as the body. Added to that this listicle of things to do in Gokarna will transform it into a magical experience. Make sure to indulge in these revitalizing activities on your next trip to Gokarna, the uncommercialized version of Goa! 35 Best Things To Do In Gokarna In 2023 There are a plethora of Gokarna activities that you can indulge in with your friends, family, or beloved. Here are the famous things to do in Gokarna. Pick the ones that you wish to include in your trip itinerary when looking up pocket-friendly Karnataka tour packages. • Mahabaleshwar Temple – Spiritual Trip • Beach Trekking – Beautiful Paradise • Banana Boat Ride – Adrenaline Pumping • Food Tour – Treat Your Taste Buds • Night Stroll – Heavenly Experience • Flea Market Shopping – Shopping Spree • Beach Camping – Under The Stars • Shell Collecting – Memorable Items • Kudle Beach Sunset – Gorgeous Sight • Beach Yoga – Live Healthy • Candle Light Dinner – Romantic Affair • Beach Shack Stay – Local Stay • Beach Sports – Indulge In Fun Activities • Massage – Relax Your Body • TreeHouse – Living In Nature • Long Drive – Happy Soul • Shiva Statue – Sacred Point • Yana – Must Visit • Mirjan Fort – Ancient Ru...

2 km from city center 4 out of 20 Places To Visit in Gokarna This is one of the most famous tourist spot, located around 20-minutes (walking distance) away from Gokarna. Here travelers will get a number of simple huts and beach-side eating places where one can enjoy lots of things. A kilometers-long pure white sandy beach surrounded by palm trees is the major attraction of this beach that attracts large number of travelers. 2 km from city center 5 out of 20 Places To Visit in Gokarna Known for its idyllic beaches and pristine waters, Gokarna is a favorite among travelers who seek a peaceful vacation. It is the more laid-back and less commercialized version of Goa. Other than the famous Om beach, it has Kudle beach and the more secluded Half Moon and Paradise beach. 13 km from city center 9 out of 20 Places To Visit in Gokarna Located on the banks of River Aghanashini, Mirjan Fort is a royal reminder of our glorious history. It is situated about 11 km from the town of Kumta in Karnataka and is spread over an area of 4.1 hectares. The fort is also believed to be a site for many past battles in 16th and 17th Centuries and was functional till 1785. Later, the British captured this fort and used it for their armoury. It is embellished with the remarkable architecture of the bygone era, such as canals, moats, secret passageways and various other considerations to fortify its grounds. The splendid fort truly gives the impression of a fairytale castle all covered with grass and ov...

With its pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka and a newly found hub for beach lovers and hippies.Situated on the coast of Karwar, every year Gokarnawelcomes hordes of tourists from around the world in search of sanctity and relaxation. The out-of-town beaches like Kudle beach and Om Beach are a different contrast to life inside the town. Palm clad beaches are dotted with foreign tourists in a majority and very few Indians are seen across. Gokarna is not very conventionally touristy. The beaches are meant for a slow, relaxed holiday and everything on the beach goes at the same relaxed pace. Full of coconut and palm trees, the ocean and clean sands, Gokarna is a 'one ofa kind' place in the country. Over the past few years, Gokarna has become an important tourist destination owing to its alluring beaches that promise a peaceful vacation leaving behind the tourist rush of Goa. The sprawling beaches are the chief tourist attraction in the holy town of Gokarna. Gokarna has a vast sea line to offer to the visitors. They are calm and serene amid the waters, hills and sunlight. Gokarna Main Beach The famous trio of Kudle Beach While these beaches are famous amongst the tourist, the main Gokarna Beach is only preferred by the pilgrims. According to religious customs, pilgrims must take a dip in the waters of Gokarna Beach before entering the Mahabaleshwara Temple. One can find shacks, cafés and guesthouses in most of the beach...

Gokarna is a city located in Uttara Kannada district of Furthermore, the rustic outlook of the town has attracted the attention of a lot of travelers and foreigners. There are several beaches, pilgrimage sights, and waterfalls that are reverberating tourist attractions. In fact, the town is situated around the River Aghanashini, which is considered to be deemed and sacred site for devotees. However, due to the recent tourist influx, the town attracts both adrenaline seekers and those looking for spiritual solace. It is the town of golden beaches named after the way they are shaped like Om Beach and Half Moon Beach. Paradise Beach does no injustice to its name! The tall palm trees, serene waves of the ocean gushing towards the rocks, and the evenings spent watching the sun melting into the ocean add a surrealistic appeal to the place. Apart from beaches, there is the Mahabaleshwar Temple that attracts many devotees and saints. Yana is another dainty town located in the vicinity of Gokarna, whose lavish surroundings and rocky terrain is perfect for activities like cycling and trekking. Mountaineering is another popular sport. The serene beaches pose as perfect sites for watersport activities like surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing.If you want to indulge in watersport activities, then the best time to visit the place is post-monsoon, from September to December. Winters in Gokarna are flamboyant, with a mildly cold climate and lush green surrounding...

Gokarna means cow's ear. It is believed that The Bhagavata Purana relates that 200 years into this current kali yuga a pious brahmana named Atmaveda was unable because of karma incurred in past lives to have any children in his current incarnation. Atmaveda was devastated by not being able to have children, and wandered into a forest to pray for help. There he met a Sannyasi, whom he implored to grant him and his wife the ability to have a child. The Sannyasi warned Atmaveda against opposing his karma, but finally relented and gave Atmaveda a fruit that his wife was to consume to have a child. Atmaveda's wife Dhundhuli did not want to go through the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, so she gave the fruit from the Sannyasi to her cow. A human child was born of the cow, human in all its parts except for its ears, which were cow ears. Because of this the child was named Gokarna. Gokarna is mentioned in the Shrimad In order that Brahma who out of arrogance arising out of his power to create the universe, sat penancing to redeem himself from curse of Shiva, the latter appeared in front of him from the ears of a cow. So the place came to be known as Gokarna or ear of the cow. Hindu As per legend, Atmalinga by Shiva and instructed that it would stay permanently where it is first placed on the land. But Geography [ ] Legend [ ] The earliest history of the city is in Maha As Ravana was nearing Gokarna, Maha Vishnu who had known well that Ravana was punctual in performing his period...

The best travel tips for visiting Gokarna This vibrant Hindu holy town is blessed with atmospheric temples and exquisite crescent beaches and is ideal for serious unwinding. A hotchpotch of wood-fronted houses and red terracotta roofs, Gokarna is clustered around a long L-shaped bazaar. Its broad main road – known as Car Street – runs west to the town beach, which is a sacred site in its own right. Hindu mythology identifies it as the place where Shiva was reborn from the underworld after a period of penance through the ear of a cow, or go-karna, thus giving the town its name. Gokarna is also the home of one of India’s most powerful shivalingas – the atmalinga, which took root here having been carried off by Ravana, the evil king of Lanka, from Shiva’s home on Mount Kailash. It is said Ravana’s brute force distorted the shivalingam to resemble the shape of a cow’s ear – another theory behind the town’s name. Planning a trip to India? Perhaps our Gokarna, India © Shutterstock Best things to do in Gokarna From the Temples to the Beaches here are the best things to do in Gokarna. #1 Take a glimpse of Atmalinga in Shri Mahabaleshwar Enshrined in the mediaeval Shri Mahabaleshwar temple, the atmalinga (or pranalinga) is regarded as so auspicious that a mere glimpse of it will absolve a hundred sins. Pilgrims to the religious site traditionally visit the beach first so they can shave their heads and take a ritual dip in the nearby sea, followed by a puja at the Shri Mahaganpati t...