Multiple personalities, a calm and serene environment and the beauty of nature, Gokarna is a chest full of treasures.
A small and peaceful town off the coast of Karnataka, Gokarna enjoys a dual personality. It is a city with two contrasting facets that attract numerous tourists to its shores.
First and foremost, there is a religious aspect to Gokarna. Known for its Shiva Temples, Gokarna is famous for being home to the original lingam or image of Lord Shiva. It is this folklore that makes festivals like Shivaratri a massive tourist attraction.
The second draw for tourists is in a completely different space. Gokarna is known as much for its beaches, as it is for its temples. The calm and quiet beaches here offer itself as an excellent alternative to the crowded ones in Goa. And, thus one can see numerous foreign tourists here as well.
Don’t be surprised though, if the police check your bags and passports on arrival. It is an extremely common practice.
Where is it?
South of the Goa border, in Karnataka, is the small and quiet temple town of Gokarna. It is located in the Uttara Kannada district and is about 450 km from the capital city of Bangalore.
Tags for nearby places: Ankola, Dabolim
State Name: Karnataka
How to reach?
The nearest railway station to Gokarna is Ankola. From there it’s a 20 km journey to Gokarna that can be completed through buses. There is a station called Gokarna Road as well, but only a limited number of trains stop there.
By air through, Dabolim in Goa is the closest airport. Gokarna is about 150 km from there and the distance can be covered either by train or bus.
Bus/Car/Air Information: Nearest airport- Dabolim, nearest railway station- Ankola
What to do?
The two main attractions of Gokarna are its beaches and temples. Though the sad truth about the temples is that, they are off-limits for non-Hindus.
Off all the temples, a visit to the Mahabaleshwar Temple is a must. It houses a huge lingam of Lord Shiva. The Ganpati Temple is also very famous and one can witness beautiful huge chariots which carry a Shiva Idol, near the temple premises.
As far as the beaches go, there are four, which catch the tourist eyeballs the most- Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Halfmoon Beach, and Paradise Beach. Each of the four has its own appeal and charm. Om Beach though is the only one accessible by a vehicle. The others have a more adventurous path, involving a hiking trip through hills and over rocks. Paradise is the smallest of the four and resembles a tiny protected cove.
Major Attraction: Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Halfmoon Beach, Paradise Beach, Mahabaleshwar Temple, Ganpati Temple
Where to stay?
There is no dearth of hotels in Gokarna, but if you want a feel of the place then, book yourself a hut right on the beach. Om and Kudle beaches are popular for their shacks and Paradise and Halfmoon provide similar accommodations during the busy tourist season of November and March. But, do remember that during the peak season, shacks are hard to come by and are generally booked.
For the more relaxed and comfort travelers, Gokarna also has a bunch of luxury resorts.
When to visit?
If you are looking for the perfect time to visit, then the months from October to March are your window. This is the time when the weather is pleasant. Summers in Gokarna is hot, so April and May are best avoidable while, June to August is mostly the monsoon season.
Months for travelling / Ideal Time: October to March
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