Gokarna- A Paradise for Beach Lovers

The meaning of Gokarna is Cow’s ear. You can notice this when you zoom in the map of Gokarna. This gem is located in the state of Karnataka, south of India. It got many famous temples and beaches which attract a lot of pilgrims and foreigners around the globe. Due to this uniqueness, the place is famous for its hippy culture which you can see only in mere places in India. Cliffs, Coastal beaches, and charming temples make Gokarna different from other destinations in India and make a perfect gateway for travel addicts.

                       

Beaches in Gokarna is a gift for solo travelers and those who travel in a group. Some of the beaches are isolated and need to take a trek or boats to reach there. Interesting right?. Watching the sunset on the cliff, beach activities, exploring seafood, and trekking through the steep rocks are all the interesting things to do here. Kudle, Gokarna beach, Om beach(shape of om in Sanskrit), Halfmoon, and Paradise beach are the famous ones you should visit there and have fun. Among this Halfmoon and paradise beach are isolated and you need to go for a trek through the cliff or boats to get there. You can literally do parties on these beaches till you see the sunrise. These beaches got a lot of shacks and pubs, treats you with yummy plates of seafood, chilled beers, cafes, and a variety of drinks which wakes up the foodie in you.

                       

Sri Mahabaleshwara Swamy Temple, Maha Ganapathi Temple, Kotiteertha, and shiva caves are famous religious sites which are the pride of Gokarna. Pilgrims will be more during religious occasions and festivals. Most of them give a lively spiritual vibe during this time. Shopping at the flea market is the other fun thing to do. Artworks, Jewellery, Utensils, Handicrafts, and dresses you get for a cheap price here.

When to Visit?

The best time to visit Gokarna is from October to February. Newyear plan in Gokarna is not a bad idea at all. During the rainy season (June to September) most of the shacks and pubs will be closed. Better to avoid this time. Temples are more lively at the Shivratri festival in march and Ganesh Chaturti in August.

 

                        

How to get there?

Dabolim Airport (International)and Hubballi Airport(domestic only)are the nearby airport which is located around 145km and 150 km respectively. Gokarna Road Station is the nearest railway station if you have the plan to travel by rail. It is well connected to other prominent destinations like Bangalore, Goa, Pune, and Mumbai. Since it is a small station and not all trains will stop, Ankola and Kumta stations are the other options to head there. You easily get buses and taxis from these stations to the main town. There are many public and private buses and taxis available to Gokarna from Banglore, Goa, Pune, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. They drop you at Madankeri cross or Gokarna cross, which is around 10 km from the main town.
Try hostels if you are planning to do solo. Cheap hotels and stunning beach resorts are also available according to your needs.

Happy Exploring !!!