Gokarna has gained immense popularity as a temple town with lots to explore by all travel enthusiasts. Owing to its untouched scenery, gorgeous surroundings and laidback vibe, there are many places to visit in Gokarna. Besides just sightseeing, you can also indulge in many exciting activities around the beaches or go explore the town. It is better to plan an itinerary beforehand to a place like Gokarna so that you can discover and enjoy everything that it has to offer. You are sure to go back with beautiful pictures and memories from your holiday here.
Top Reasons to visit Gokarna
Gokarna might not be the most conventional tourist destination but there are some amazing reasons to plan a trip to this heavenly place.
A Backpacker’s Delight: You can literally pick up your bags and travel to Gokarna. You can get really good options in terms of food and accommodation here.
Beautiful Temples: It is a beautiful place to witness various Hindu customs and rituals. If you search for Gokarna places to visit, you will find many temples worth going to.
Secluded Beaches: You can head to the beaches here and relax.
A Substitute for a Goan Holiday: If you want to ditch the crowds in Goa, then Gokarna seems like the perfect substitute to it. You can call title Gokarna as a ‘Peaceful Goa’.
Perfect Combination of Peace and Adventure: While you can spend your time rejuvenating in the serenity of this place, you can also sign up for various activities such as hiking, surfing, snorkelling, etc.
Gokarna Cliff: Walking through the stony beaches of this town to inhale the tranquility of this place is certainly one of the refreshing things to do in Gokarna. The unique part about Gokarna, Karnataka is that you have to trek to the beaches here, instead of simply walking on plain sands. Nonetheless, you won’t regret taking that extra effort to visit them. Some of the most beautiful things in nature come with a good amount of physical strength and the willingness to see them. Go here for the breathtaking views atop the hill and soak in the gorgeous view of the majestic sea.
1. Subrahmanya Temple
A temple that dates back to 5000 years, Subrahmanya temple is among one of the holy places by the famous saint Parashurama. The temple is situated on the banks of the Kumaradhar river. The Pooja is offered to Lord Subrahmanya and many people visit here for salvation from any kind of Nag Doshas. The popular rituals here include Ashlesha Bali and Sarpa Dosha. Many people like to take a holy bath in Madesnana and Kumaradhara Thirtha. The temple is also surrounded by lush greenery on all sides.
2. Belekan Beach
This beach is situated at a remote distance from Gokarna but is in close vicinity to Paradise Beach. You can find little sand here and more of rocks but this is one of the most. There are also many ferries that you can get here in terms of commute. You can sit here and absorb the beautiful views that this beach has to offer, making it to the list of things to do in Karnataka. And when you feel hungry, there are also some shacks at the extreme end of the beach where you can eat. Depending on whether you are here in the morning or the evening, you can definitely capture some stunning pictures to take back as a memory.
3. Bhadrakali Temple
This temple is another famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. The temple is devoted to ‘Goddess Uma’ (‘Kali’ is the incarnated form of Uma) who is worshipped here. Bhadrakali temple is thronged by devotees on Fridays. The prime god of this temple is located one km from the temple, considered to be the guardian of Gokarna. It is believed that when Ravana abandoned Uma, wife of Lord Shiva, it was Lord Vishnu who asked her to stay here. Therefore, all the pilgrims to this temple worship Uma as Goddess Bhadrakali. When you are at the temple, you can enjoy learning about many more such stories about the religious significance of this temple. The Bhadrakali definitely falls in the category of ‘Gokarna places to visit’.
4. Yana Caves
Gokarna is a place where you can achieve weight loss with pleasure. A trip to Yana Caves would imply a 16 km trek to witness crystalline-like rock formations standing tall among the Western Ghats and at the same time shed many calories. The breezy trek takes you to the foot of the mountains as you make your way to the top, brace yourself to see Jaganmohini and Bhairaveshwara peaks. There is also a Shiva cave at the bottom of the Bhairaveshwar hill. You can also go bird spotting here and plan a trip to the Vibhooti waterfalls if you are all sport for another trek which is 9.7 kms from here.
5. Shiv Temple
The Shiv temple is located near Kudle Beach. If you are one of those who like to explore the hidden treasures, this temple is situated inside a cave. The place is dark from the inside so please ensure that you go here only with a group of people and keep your torch light on. It is also important to note that there are bats inside so a visit to this place requires you to be careful. Overall, this is an off-beat spot unlike the other popular spots of Gokarna.
6. Paradise Beach
One of the most famous spots in Gokarna places to visit, Paradise beach is also called as the ‘Full Moon Beach’. The beach is majorly covered by rocks and the remaining of it comprises white sand. It is also the last beach on the Gokarna coastline. You can head to this beach by either taking a ferry ride or a trek. Paradise beach is a scenic beach, where you can capture some lovely views of the sea and unwind. Many travellers choose to come here for camping and indulge in many activities such as stargazing.
7. MahaGanpati Temple
The Mahaganpati temple is another such temple that attracts many devotees every year. As per the popular legend, it is said that Lord Ganesha tricked Ravana to drop off the Shivalinga that he was carrying at this place. Therefore, a temple was formed here. The deity that stands tall here is 1500 years old and is two-armed. A very interesting and beautiful sight to behold here is the massive chariots near this temple that carry the idol of Lord Shiva through the streets during the festival of Shivratri. People offer bananas while this chariot makes its way as it is considered as a sign of good fortune.
8. Mahabaleshwar Temple
Among Gokarna places to visit, the Mahabaleshwar temple is one on top of the list. This famous temple houses a Shivalinga that is six feet tall, known as Atmalinga which is carved in stone that dates back to 1500 years. The temple’s significance mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata is equivalent to paying a visit to Kashi. Therefore, it is also referred to as ‘Dakshin Kashi’. One of the most unique aspects of this temple is that the entire Atmalinga is only revealed to the devotees once in every 40 years. It is only the top of the Atmalinga that is open to worship for all.
9. Koti Tirtha
Gokarna tourist places include many holy places apart from the beach destinations, one of which is Koti Tirtha. It is a famous man-made tank that is surrounded by many beautiful temples. The tank is also used for the immersion of idols and ritual bathing. As per the mythology in Gokarna, Koti Tirtha is the source of a thousand springs. The tirtha is situated near the famous Mahabaleshwar temple and many pilgrims come here to perform various Hindu rituals and pay their respect to their ancestors. Devotees take a customary dip in the hallowed pond at Koti Tirtha and then visit the other shrines and temples in this area.
10. Mirjan Fort
Located on the banks of the Aghanashini river, Mirjan Fort has been associated with many historical events. It is believed that the Fort was built in the 16th century under the sponsorship of Queen Chennabharadevi, also known as the Pepper Queen of India. The Fort is stretched across an area of 10 acres and is among one of the top places to visit in Gokarna for its stunning landscape and bird’s eye view of the neighbouring areas. The months between September to February are most ideal to visit the Fort when you can enjoy some misty air and pleasant showers.
11. Half Moon Beach
A great hiking spot, the Half Moon beach owing to its crescent shape is dotted on the Gokarna coastline. You can reach here via motorboat rides and through hikes from the Om beach. The rocky shore and crystal-clear water make it the perfect place for you to sit back and enjoy a peaceful time listening to the sound of the waves and soak in all the calm. This beach is a favourite choice for many foreign tourists and backpackers. This beach is sure to give you a memorable time and will surely become a recommendation by you among the list of things to do in Gokarna.
Other Places to Visit in Gokarna
Here are some other places to visit in Gokarna that you can plan for:
12. Kudle Beach: Lined with tall coconut trees, this beach is another good option for those seeking that much-needed break. Watch the sunrise or the sunset or spend time introspecting, Kudle beach is known for its unparalleled charm.
13. Lalgulli Falls: If you’d like to see something surreal, you can head to Lalgulli Falls to capture the beauty of waterfalls as well as a variety of birds. You can also enjoy a host of activities such as river rafting, trekking, etc.
14. Om Beach: This beach is titled so owing to its shape in the form of an ‘Om’, an auspicious symbol. The beach offers a stunning landscape as well as a wide range of water sports activities such as jet-skiing, banana boat rides, fishing, etc.
15. Small Hell Beach: Blue waters, golden sand, tall trees, and massive rocks, this is one of the cleanest beaches in Gokarna and worth a visit for its clean surroundings and untouched beauty.
Conclusion
Planning a holiday is a well-thought-out decision. Gokarna is one such destination that has garnered a lot of attention in the recent past, owing to its unspoilt natural beauty, peaceful environment, ancient temples and fascinating sights of interest. A trip to Gokarna is certainly going to be one down memory lane.
FAQ
1. Why is Gokarna famous?
Gokarna is famous for many of its ancient Hindu temples, beaches, scenic views, laidback life and affordable places to eat and stay. It is like a more economical and less commercial version of a Goan holiday.
2. Is Gokarna possible to cover in 2 days?
Yes, you can plan a two-day trip to Gokarna. If you are on a short trip, you can cover a few beaches and temples here or you can choose to visit a couple of places and plan a relaxed holiday.