Gokarna is a small pilgrimage town on the western coast of Karnataka state. Gokarna is historically known as one of the seven important Hindu pilgrimage centers and is located near the estuary of rivers Aghanashini and Gangavali with its palm trees, and other colorful tropical fruit and flower trees.

Gokarna means Cow's Ear. It is believed that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow (Prithvi, the Mother Earth) here, and coincidently it is also located at the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini. Gokarna is a town of contrasts, as it is a temple town and also a holiday destination.

Gokarna is full of coconut, banana, and other trees, blue seas, and relatively clean sands. It is a laid-back town with two main streets lined with shops and traditional tile-roofed brick houses. The beaches near Gokarna have shacks (huts) for rent.

The place has four of India's most secluded and pristine beaches nestled nearby. It has amazing landscapes with rocky mountains and the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. The popular beaches in Gokarna are Gokarna Beach (also known as Indian Beach), Main Beach, Kuddle Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach (also known as Full Moon), and Nirvana Beach (3 km long with fine white sand).

Kannada is the main language spoken here in Gokarna, however, Konkani as well as the Indian version of English is spoken here. Gokarna is also an important center of Sanskrit learning and Yoga & Mediation learning.

Gokarna is about 500 km from Bangalore, Private buses operate night journeys from the capital city of Bangalore to Gokarna daily. It can also be reached by train (Konkan Railway) on the Mumbai to Mangalore route. The nearest airports are Dabolim at Goa and Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe.

 

Explorations & Experiences in Gokarna–

  • Gokarna Beach
  • Mahabaleshwar Temple
  • Om Beach
  • Paradise Beach
  • Kudle Beach
  • Half Moon Beach
  • Beach Trekking
  • Yoga & Meditation
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