For a long time, Goa remained the ideal holiday destination in India for people who craved the beach, some sun, and fun leading to over-commercialization and the crowding of Goa and its serene beaches. That’s how ‘Gokarna’ slowly made its way into the spotlight. Something that was much more serene, less crowded, and had more beautiful beaches.
Gokarna is a West coast town in Kumta, Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka which lies about 140 kilometers south of Goa, originally known to be a sacred Hindu pilgrimage center and is now a popular attraction for tourists abroad and in India known for its scenic beaches. Thinking of a low-key, laid-back, relaxing beach destination for a holiday? Think no more and head to Gokarna. Our resort in Gokarna is really blanketed in the spirit of the Konkan coast with immense natural beauty. Our resort in Gokarna is in very close proximity to most beaches of Gokarna.
Gokarna – A historical and Mythological Significance –
Gokarna is a name derived from the words Gau and Karn which means ‘cow’s ear’ and it is said that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow which was mother Earth here at the ear-shaped confluence of rivers Aghanashini and Gangavali. Legend has it that Lord Ganapati deceived Ravana to keep the Atmalinga of Lord Shiva on the ground here hence making Gokarna the sacred place which houses the Shiva linga in almost all of its temples.
For thousands of years, Gokarna was a place of religious studies and worship by Brahmins who passed Sanskrit knowledge over the generations. Hindu pilgrims visited this place to perform the last rites and rituals for the deceased. The influx of foreign tourists since the late 1900s and 2000s has also made Gokarna a hippie’s paradise now and made its nightlife more happening and vibrant as compared to before.
The stark contrast of cultures and amalgamation of religious places and the hippie vibes make Gokarna a unique place to visit and has something to offer to the pilgrim and tourist as well as the traveler within you. Our resort in Gokarna is the perfect place for you to stay so that you can relax and rejuvenate yourself while you explore the incredible town of Gokarna.
A 3 Day Summer Gokarna Itinerary –
Day 1 – Go Beach Trekking – Sounds really unique right? With the joy of trekking coupled with magnificent and stunning views of the sea, Gokarna has five major beaches that can be trekked and explored. Starting from the main Gokarna beach leading to the quiet and calm Paradise beach to the crescent-shaped Half Moon beach all the way to the bustling shacks in Om beach and ending with the hippie Kudle beach, this is one trek you should be doing to tick off your bucket list so that when you return back home, you can show all the wonderful photographs of the trek to your friends.
Day 1 Evening – Visit the yoga centers and Ayurvedic stores – For some relaxation and body, mind and soul-soothing, these centers have evolved over the years combining holistic fitness and wellness for the body, mind, and soul as a whole. Our resort in Gokarna also has a Yoga Alliance that helps you rejuvenate at the end of a long day at the beach or exploring the towns and roads of Gokarna.
Day 2 – Water Sports at the beach – Most beaches in Gokarna like the Kudle beach offer a good deal on water sports like surfing these days so make sure you try them and have the most thrilling water sports adventure of your life.
Stay at the shacks during the day – Relax at the shacks on the beach during the day and read a book, listen to some hippie music and rejuvenate yourself.
Day 2 Evening – Go to visit the temples of Gokarna – Visit the great Mahabaleshwar temple with Lord Shiva as the deity and take a dip in the holy waters of Koti Theertha for a really spiritual pilgrim experience. Lord Mahaganapathi temple houses a 1500-year-old deity of the Hindu Lord Ganesha.
Day 3 – Walk around the local town of Gokarna – Be sure to walk around the main town of Gokarna and look out for houses built with wooden tile roofs and pillars which are also known as the Hanchina Mane and the local market around the temples to buy some hippie souvenirs like the Om print kurtas and beaded chains to take back home with you.
Day 3 Evening – Explore the food and cuisine of Gokarna – Om and Kudle beach have a good number of eateries with various cuisines like Irani, Mexican, Israeli and Indian offering a variety of lip-smacking dishes which you must definitely try out. Try the seafood at the Om Namaste Cafe with a vibrant ambiance and sea view which will enchant your mind. The Tibetan shacks offer Nutella Pancakes and Bruschettas which are delicious as well. Our resort in Gokarna has a really delicious menu as well, that you must try out.
Prema restaurant in the main Gokarna town is also a must-visit for its Gadbad ice creams and Kombucha. Chez Christophe in the main Gokarna beach offers authentic French food and is perfect for dinner given its ambiance and decor. La Pizzeria Kudle is a sea view eatery with lip-smacking Italian cuisine. For those wanting to try many varieties in one place, Pai restaurant offers a diverse menu of Indian and other cuisines that you must definitely try out in Gokarna.
Other attractions around Gokarna that can be a part of your itinerary –
Murudeshwar – This has the second largest statue of the Hindu god Lord Shiva in the entire world, at the beach.
Mirjan Fort – This beautiful fort is known widely across India for its architecture.
Yana Caves – This caveman experience will take you way back in time.
Vibhuti Falls – A small waterfall near Yana Sirsi and this can be reached by trekking in the local surrounding forest.
How to reach the beach town of Gokarna –
Gokarna is about 483 kilometers from Bangalore, and also 280 kilometers from Mangalore. It can be reached by air, train or by road.
By Train – The nearest railway station to Gokaran is Ankola Railway Station, which is situated at a distance of nearly 20 kilometers from Gokarna. From there, you can hire a taxi to reach the beach town of Gokarna. Gokarna can also be accessed by train on the Konkan route from Mangalore to Goa or Mumbai. The railway station is called “Gokarna road” station and is situated 6 kilometers away from the main town. The trains from Bangalore are Marusagar express, Matsyagandha express, Poorna express, and Bangalore Karwar express respectively.
By Air – The nearest airport to Gokarna is the Dabolim airport, which is situated at a distance of about 140 km from Gokarna. This airport is well connected with flights to Indian and International cities and is the fastest way to reach Gokarna.
By Road – Gokarna can also be reached conveniently by any KSRTC buses or private buses. From Karwar, Ankola and Bhatkal, you can reach Gokarna by cabs via NH 17.
The essentials that you need to pack for your Gokarna summer trip are –
- Small backpack to roam the city with ease.
- Raincoat or umbrella in case of rain.
- Light cotton clothes, Beachwear, and flip-flops for beaches and beach activity.
- Torch or Headlamp which might have to be used at night
- Sunscreen lotions are a must to avoid sunburn
- Portable chargers for your electronics devices and gadgets
