Gokarna is a small town nestled by the Arabian Sea, in the border of the beautiful state of Karnataka. It was formerly known to be a temple town, but the serene beaches of the town have attracted the attention of many tourists in the recent years, especially that of foreign tourists. Gokarna literally translates to cow's ear that was derived from the myth that Lord Shiva surfaced out of Mother Earth's ear.
Now, apart from being a temple town, Gokarna is a breathtaking beach destination that is perfect for those who love seclusion since it is relatively less-crowded. So hurry up and plan your next vacation to Gokarna and read here about the things you can indulge in doing while you're here.
Pilgrimage To The Temples
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As mentioned, Gokarna is home to numerous revered temples that get particularly crowded during the festive season. Mahabaleshwar Temple located here is one of the most important and popular temple of all.
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the stone image of the deity is believed to be 1,500 years old. It is built in a magnificent Dravidian style of architecture.
Some of the other temples that you must visit in Gokarna include Bhadrakali Temple, Maha Ganapati Temple, Venkatramana Temple, to name a few.
Beach-hopping
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It goes without saying that visiting Gokarna without going through the several stunning beaches is a travel incomplete. Om Beach, Kudle Beach and Gokarna Beach are some of the places that you need to go to.
The clear, pristine golden sands that fill the beautiful shores of these beaches is the therapy you need for your vacation. Also try exciting water sports like parasailing, boating, water scooting, etc.
Beach Trekking
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We're familiar with trekking through hills, mountains or forests, but have you ever thought of trying beach trekking? If you haven't, here's the perfect chance to try out this adventure.
Gokarna is set on hilly regions that are surrounded by beaches; therefore, you can try trekking through the beautiful beaches and then through the hills and rough terrain of Gokarna that follows. Grab your trekking shoes and embark on this exhilarating experience.
Binge On Gokarna’s Food
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Local restaurants and shacks line up the shores of these beaches in plenty. Apart from having the traditional South Indian dishes or food popular in Karnataka, like dosa, idli, etc., you can also find delicious continental cuisine at Gokarna.
Although a small town, due to the high presence of foreign tourists, you can find brilliant Israeli restaurants serving pita bread with hummus or Italian restaurants serving lip-smacking pastas and pizzas.
Unwind By The Beach
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Since the two most important attractions in Gokarna are its temples and beaches, most of your vacation will be spent around these two places. Since the beaches of Gokarna are relatively less-crowded, you can indulge in doing so many interesting activities.
Reconnect with yourself or find spirituality by doing some yoga by the beach, play beach volleyball, sunbathe or lay back and watch the star-studded skies of Gokarna at night.