If you are looking for serious pleasure and solace, you should visit Gokarna. This laid-back and low-key beach destination in Karnataka has won millions of backpackers and travelers already. It is also known as a great Hindu pilgrim site in Karnataka with many ancient temples present in its confines. Enjoying the thrilling water sports, chilling at the beaches, and riding on the exciting catamaran is what has made this place an attractive retreat for the tourists. Gokarna has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for a thrill or just want some serenity.
Frequently tagged as an option to Goa, Gokarna is quickly developing as one of the best tourist destinations among the travelers in Karnataka. Gokarna is not less than a paradise for people looking to embrace serenity and tranquility that beaches reveal. Strolling around the beaches, losing yourself in the clear waters, hearing the sounds of waves and witnessing the sunset is all that you can experience in Gokarna and will offer you lifetime memories. Gokarna offers the perfect confluence of magnificence and tranquility to rejuvenate your mind and body.
Gokarna refers to cow’s ears. According to a Hindu legend, it’s believed that God Shiva emerged from a cow’s ear. Moreover, Gokarna is located at the ear-shaped convergence of two rivers known as Aghanashini and Gangavali. There is mention about Gokarna in Shrimad Bhagavata Purana also as the home to Dhundhakari and Gokarna.
It is believed that when Brahma sat to penance for redeeming himself from Shiva’s curse, God Shiva appeared before him from a cow’s ears. Hence, this place came to be called Gokarna. According to another legend, Lord Shiva gave Atmalinga to Ravana and said that it’d stay permanently at the first place where it is planted. While Ravana was doing some rituals, Lord Ganesha planted it in here. After it was placed, Ravana couldn’t remove it, but he removed a few pieces and then threw them in diverse directions.
The Tretayuga states the early history of Gokarna. According to it, Ravana reached Kailasa to perform thorough penance to please Lord Shiva and attain the “Atma Linga.” It was because the mother of Ravana expressed her desire to worship Lord Shiva’s Atma Linga. Shiva got pleased with his worship and gave him a boon in the form of Atma Linga and asked Ravana to carry it with him by walk and also told him not to put it anywhere on the earth as the linga would permanently get embedded wherever it falls.
Soon, Lord Vishnu came to know that by worshipping “Atma Linga,” Ravana would become very powerful and a threat to the whole world. So, Lord Vishnu made a plan for installing the Atma Linga somewhere else. He knew that it was Lord Ganesha only who can do it all alone, so Lord Vishnu with all other Gods started pleasing Ganpati to help them. Lord Ganpati accepted the proposal, took the form of a Brahmin boy and reached Gokarna. When Ravana was near Gokarna, Lord Vishnu hid the sun using his Sudarshana Chakra as he knew that Ravana was very punctual in doing his rites. Ravana thought that it was evening and time to do his evening rites. Ravana then found a Brahmin boy and requested him to help hold the Linga carefully until he finished his rites. Lord Ganpati agreed to help him but he put forward a condition also to do the same. He said that he would hold the linga only until he could bear its weight and then he will call Ravana 3 times. If Ravana fails to come, he will put the Atma Linga down on the Earth.
After some time, Ganpati called Ravana 3 times while he was busy with the rites and finally placed the Atmalinga on the Earth. Following the deed, he vanished. The linga got entrenched at the same place firmly. Soon, Ravana got that he has been tricked. Ravana was agitated deeply and in his anger, he tried to pull the linga up, but it didn’t budge. However, this deed of Ravana led to throwing the Linga’s covering to Gunavanteshwara, Dharshwara, Shejjeshwar and Murudeshwar temples. Since Ravana could not lift yup the linga from the ground, he called it a Mahabala (having great strength). Since then, the Atmalinga is famous as Mahabaleshwara. After learning about all these places, Lord Shiva visited all of them. He also acknowledged that these places will be known as “Panch Kshetras.” These five holy places hold great importance even today and are visited by pilgrims from around the world. These age-old shrines and temples make Gokarna a vital Hindu pilgrim hub.
Gokarna is known to be a small destination with famous religious destinations and great beaches. There are many places to visit in Gokarna that you should definitely add to your must-visit list:
Beach Trekking: Walking Through the beautiful and rocky beaches of this picturesque town to inhale the freshness of its relaxed life is one of the best activities to do in Gokarna. But reaching this beach is quite different as it includes a beach trek rather than a walk. So, trek to this beach for a different experience and soak yourself in marvelous views.
Food Tour: The offbeat beach holiday can also prove to be a food paradise for the foodies. The temple city is dotted with many shacks that serve both the Indian palate and the continental ones.
Banana Boat Ride: For those looking for some highly adventurous activities in Gokarna, a banana boat ride is an excellent option to get yourself pulled in the waves for the adrenaline rush. The banana boat ride will let you relive your childhood as it is certainly one of the finest activities to enjoy in Gokarna.
Night stroll: After dinner, you can go for a night stroll under a starry sky and also enjoy a bonfire at the same place. It’s a lifetime experience that you will cherish always.
Shopping: another great thing that you can do in the town is going for shopping and explore the flea markets. Gokarna offers a lot for those shopaholics. Purchasing handmade souvenirs and trinkets from the locals is a must-do activity in Gokarna.
Yoga: You can join the hordes of people practicing yoga at the beach every morning especially at Om Beach, for a refreshing start of the day. You will be able to go back home with invaluable wisdom and lots of memories.
Beach Camping: Gokarna beaches inexpressible beauty boosts many times while camping at the beaches. The sounds of waves coming to the seashore in the morning will offer an experience that you can never forget. Moreover, you can lie down on the sand and look up at the open sky to have a spellbinding experience.
Beach Sports: Turn your leisure evening into a rejuvenating feat by taking part in the different Gokarna beach activities playing badminton, volleyball, and frisbee. The wonderful ambiance of this location is going to energize the players, resulting in a much more interesting game.
Massage: A massage to relieve your tension and lighten your burden of responsibility while revitalizing the trifecta of your body, mind, and soul is a must-do activity in Gokarna. There are many massage centers in Gokarna that you can visit to get a soothing and calming massage.
Long Drive: You can also travel through the comfortable roads to relish the scenic and picture-perfect beauty in and around this town of Gokarna.
Beach Hopping: This wonderfully attractive town has a few of the most attractive beaches that will leave anybody feeling refreshed just after taking a stroll via its natural beauty. You will get a chance to fulfil your love for the different beaches when you visit Gokarna.
Gokarna is located at a distance of 238 km from Mangalore, 59 km from Karwar, and 483 km from Bengaluru. This place is well-connected by road and rail to all the major cities in the state of Karnataka. Gokarna Railway Station which is situated at a distance of 10 km from the city’s center is the nearest railway station and Goa Airport is the nearest airport to Gokarna. It is located nearly 150 km from the city.