subject: Beach Gokarna,karnataka,india [print this page] The religious ones visit the many temples
that dot the town and the nature lovers head straight for the beach.
Gokarna is a town of paradox- a holy destination contrasted by it being a popular beach destination. With endless rows of coconut palms, blue seas and clean water it is the best destination for beach lovers. It is also believed that Lord Shiva emerged from a cow"s ear so the name Go- Karna meaning
"cow"s ear" in Sanskrit.
Night Out
Enjoy a simple but finger licking meal at one of the shacks on the beach. Here you''ll get every thing from simple dal and rice to delicious sea food. There are a number of restaurants here that offer a wide variety of cuisines- Indian Chinese, South Indian and north Indian food.
Activities
Lie on the beach and sunbathe and then take a hike to another beach and do the same!! The beaches here are beautiful and are perfect to lounge and rejuvenate your senses all day!
Sights
There are just two things that you can do in Gokarna. Either visit the temples or go to the beaches. As soon as you emerge from the town you will see the Gokarna Beach spread out in all its glory in front of you. If you find this beach a little crowded, then there are four other beaches a little
farther away but to get to them you will have to trek for an hour or so. Boatmen at the Gokarna Beach will also transport you to the other beaches for a small fee. All these beaches-Om, Kudle, Paradise, and Half Moon are pristine and if you want solitude, you will find it here. You can rent the small thatched huts on the beaches
How to get there by Air
The closest airport to Gokarna is Goa approximately 160 kms away. From here you would have to take a bus or a taxi to Gokarna.
How to get there by Rail
Only slow passenger trains stop at Gokarna Rd train station. Otherwise several express trains stop at Ankola and Kumta stations, both about 25km from Gokarna and accessible by local bus.
How to get there by Bus
Ordinary and deluxe buses ply between Bangalore and Gokarna. Regular buses also run from Mangalore, Hubli and Goa.
Best time to Visit
October to February is the best and the coolest time to visit. The monsoon is not the best of time to go to the beaches and swim.
Gokarna has simple, clean and very reasonable priced accommodation options. Some of the hotels like New Prasad Nilaya are run by temple priests and expectedly offers only vegetarian food. Other hotels are Hotel Gokaran International, Hotel Mayura Samudra and Om Hotel. Home stays are also available.
If you want to stay on the beach, you better carry your sleeping bags and mattresses.
Nearby Places
Kumta is 32 kms from Gokarna and is famous for its intricate sandalwood handicrafts and its lovely and as yet unspoilt beach. There are temples too that you can visit.
