Known for its temples and beaches, Gokarna attracts thousands of tourists every year who visit the place in search of relaxatio and peace. This temple town is associated with many popular legends and epics of Hindu mythology. According to one legend, Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow and thus the name Gokarna emerged from Sanskrit etymology.
Chennai:
Some of the famous Gokarna tourist places are Om Beach, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna Beach, Bhadrakali Temple, and Lalgulli Falls.
The beaches are the most eminent sightseeing places in Gokarna that are known to be the most outstanding on the western coast of India. These beaches are mostly unexplored as of now and people come here to escape the crowds of the cities.
Although, Gokarna is known as the temple town due to the endless number of temples it houses; there is a lot more to explore in this beautiful place except for its temples.
The options of various exotic beach resorts make Gokarna a pleasant weekend getaway place for many tourists.
Visitors can go for a hike from Gokarna to the beaches sprawled around the region and enjoy the luxury of cool breeze surrounded with the rich, lush-green atmosphere.
The vibrant hippie culture that prevailed back in the ’80s is still very much alive in the markets of Gokarna. You can go hippie shopping at the flea market. Put your bargaining skills to good use and you will surely find a good treasure.
Another exciting thing to do in Gokarna is to explore the town at night. No matter what you say, there is a different kind of experience at any place during the night. The trail from Kudlee to Gokarna is safe and walking to the sounds of the waves is extremely calming.
Gokarna Fact File
Location: Uttara Kannada in Karnataka
Distance from Chennai: 820 km
Getting there: The nearest airport is Dabolim in Goa. From there it’s a four-hour drive south to Gokarna. Alternatively, trains on the Konkan Railway stop at Gokarna Road station, 15 minutes from town, as well as Kumta and Ankola stations, both around 25 kilometres from Gokarna. The temple town is also well connected by bus from major cities such as Madgaon in Goa, and Mangalore and Bengaluru in Karnataka.