Pristine beaches, mind-blowing views, verdant landscapes, adventurous trekking trails, and ancient pilgrimage sites – all define Gokarna in its true sense. Also renowned as the land of blue seas, golden sands, and palm trees, Gokarna is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka that quenches the thirst of all types of travelers, whether you’re a nature buff, a history lover, a sightseeing explorer, a wanderer, or a thrill seeker.
Ideal for individuals, couples, and families with children, Gokarna, perched on the coast of Karwar, welcomes a throng of national as well as international tourists every year looking to relax and unwind in tranquility. It’s a kind of place that makes you feel refreshed and rejuvenated in one go.
Here you can experience the different colors of your life by engaging yourself in umpteen things to do and see throughout the time. While on one side, the laid-back atmosphere encourages you to take a break from the busy, hectic life now, the adventure filled with unlimited fun and enjoyment, on the other side, gives you a chance to explore your unexplored and hidden side.
However, for experiencing a wonderful vacation, you would obviously be needing a travel package that can help you enjoy your Gokarna tour to the fullest. Not only does a complete travel package take care of every aspect related to traveling but also ensures to bring a smile to your happy face. If you’re up for something similar, you can reach out to us at any time.
We at Gokarna Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, present the best of our services to our diverse clientele so that you can have the time of your life on your trip. Regardless of the holiday duration and budget, our team doesn’t mind going the extra mile to tailor a Gokarna travel package of your choice. We also offer various deals and discount coupons for people to enjoy their trip at pocket-friendly prices. What else? Please fill out the Contact Us form to get in touch with us.
History of Gokarna
Gokarna has an interesting story attached to it. According to Hindu mythology, Ravana – the king of Lanka, in order to be immortal for a lifetime, wished to obtain atmalinga from Lord Shiva. To accomplish the same, he decided to perform strict penance at the top of Mount Kailash to please Shiva.
After seeing his dedication, Lord Shiva gifted him the atmalinga and instructed him not to keep it on the earth as it would maintain its position there if he does so. Ravana agreed to his condition and started heading back home.
Fearing that Ravana would get immense power and strength after doing all the rituals of atmalinga, Lord Vishu decided to take the help of Lord Ganpati to find the solution to this problem and save the world from destruction.
As Ravana approached Gokarna and got ready for his evening rituals, a little boy (a form of Lord Ganesha) came in front of him. Thinking about the instruction given by Lord Shiva, Ravana asked the boy to hold the atmalinga until he came back. The small boy kept one condition that he would keep it exactly the way Ravana had said till he could handle his weight and later, would call his name thrice. If Ravana failed to come, he would simply put it on the ground.
When Ravana was completely engaged in his evening prayers, Lord Ganpati called him again and again. After not getting any response, the boy kept the atmalinga on the ground and vanished from the place.
As soon as he came back and realized the entire scenario, he chased the only cow that was left behind. While doing so, he could only manage to hold the cow’s ear as the remaining body of the cow disappeared. It is believed that this is how the town of Gokarna came into the picture as Go refers to the Cow and Karna refers to the ear respectively.
Places to Visit in Gokarna
When you’re in Gokarna, you can never fall short of places to explore during the day and at night as this destination is loaded with a plethora of tourist attractions that are worthy of your time. From a diverse range of sandy beaches to mesmerizing waterfalls, pilgrimage sites, and hundreds of action-packed recreational activities, you’ll find here something of your interest for sure.
Amongst the best sightseeing places in Gokarna, Gokarna Cliff is a spot that shouldn’t be missed at any cost. It’s the most sought-after location that simply leaves you awe-struck with a view to die for. Although one needs to trek a bit to reach the top of the cliff, the experience you get in return is invaluable.
Another interesting place is Belekan Beach which invites you to sit back, relax, and chill for hours after you’re done with a long day of exploration. Then, there is Paradise Beach (Full Moon Beach), Half Moon Beach, Gokarna Beach, Kudle Beach, and Om Beach where all the buzz awaits you. If interested, you can also try your hand at several water sports activities like jet skiing, banana boat riding, and parasailing to add some fun and action to your Gokarna tour.
For spiritual people, Gokarna boasts a Mahabaleshwar Temple that fascinates people from different castes and creeds. One can also pay heed to other religious sites like the Bhadrakali Temple, Subrahmanya Temple, Maha Ganapati Temple, and Koti Tirtha to attain peace of mind in a calm and composed atmosphere surrounded by positivity from the inside out.
While history buffs can plan to head to Mirjan Fort, foodies can stroll around the numerous cafes, restaurants, and small food joints to hog on the dish of their choice. There are also local shopping markets for shopaholics to buy a variety of things for their homes. However, while shopping, make sure to bargain as much as you can to get the souvenirs at reasonable prices.
How to Reach Gokarna?
Getting down to Gokarna in Karnataka is quite easy for national as well as international travelers. While Indian tourists can choose to experience a hassle-free train or roadways journey from the nearby connected cities, foreigners can simply catch a flight to either the Bangalore International Airport or Goa International Airport.
Both airports maintain great connectivity to the metro cities of India and some of the overseas countries, making it convenient for people of all ages to travel at their utmost comfort. Outside the airport, you can look for local transport like a direct bus to Gokarna, or book a taxi from the list of top car rental companies in Gokarna to commute to your desired location. The choice is completely yours!
It is worth noting that the nearest railway station to Gokarna lies at a distance of approximately 20 km away and it serves regular trains from cities like Mumbai, Mangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, etc. So, if you like railway journeys, you can catch the train from the nearby railway station to your place.
Lastly, Gokarna is also well-connected by road. For your convenience, the KSRTC department runs various state-owned buses and AC buses from the neighboring areas of Karnataka, Goa, Hubli, Bangalore, and Mangalore to Gokarna on an everyday basis. In case you’re self-driving, choose to travel in your own vehicle to make the most of your road travel.
