'''Gokarna''' is a small pilgrimage town on the coast in the Karnataka state of India.
Understand
Gokarna, meaning ''cow's ear'' in Sanskrit as the ear shape is formed by the confluence of two rivers to form the town. The place gets its name from the local legend that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow. It is a conservative Hindu pilgrimage town, home to several temples and festivals. The town itself is full of locals and pilgrims, and doesn't have much in the way of facilities for tourists, other than a handful of guesthouses and local restaurants.
Most foreign tourists come to stay on one of the 4 beaches just south of town. '''Kudlee Beach''' is the first, about a 20 minute walk, and they get more remote and less populated as you head south.
The most popular time to visit Gokarna is during the 4 day Shiva Ratri festival, where 2 giant chariots are pulled down the main street and up to 20,000 pilgrims descend on the town.
Get in
Distance from -- Margao : 125 km, Vasco Da Gama : 140 km, Mangalore : 225 km, Karwar : 55 km, Bangalore : 475 km.
By train
Gokarna is connected by rail from Karwar, Ankola, Hubli, Mangalore, Kumta and Margao. The ''' Konkan Railway''' [http://www.konkanrailway.com/] passes through Gokarna - Kumta (35 km) and Ankola (20 km) are the nearest major railway stations. The '''Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation''' [http://www.ksrtc.in/] operates buses from these places to Gokarna. Gokarna's train station is actually about 8 kilometers away from the town, taxis usually ask for around Rs 250 whereas Rickshaws should be in the Rs 120-200 range (unless you arrive at nighttime during the monsoon). If you want to save some money, just take a right at the road right in front of the train station. Once you hit the main road, there's a bus stop where you can catch a bus that will take you into Gokarna for Rs 10.
By bus
Two buses operate daily from Bangalore to Gokarna — one non sleeper push-back seat delux state transport bus and one non-AC sleeper VRL private transport bus. It is a 12 hour overnight journey from Bangalore to Gokarna. Till now there is no direct rail transport from Bangalore to Gokarna. Private buses also operate to/from Hampi/Hospet. National highway 17 is about 9 km from the town. The Bangalore - Goa highway passes through Ankola which is 20 km from the town.
By air
The nearest airport is in Goa at Dabolim. (Rail link via Margao)
Get around
'''Walking''' is the most common way to get around, as the town is small and compact. It is possible to get to Om beach by taxi or rickshaw (Rs. 100) but to get to the beaches beyond (''half moon'' and ''paradise'') you have to walk from Om.
Paradise beach can also be accessedfrom Om Beach by boat. The going rate being Rs 400 for a to and fro journey with a half hour wait. As with everything, negotiate.
A handful of '''auto-rickshaws''' also ply the main road. They tend to be expensive charging you as much as Rs10 per kilometre. So be sure to check and agree upon the fare.
See
The '''Mahabaleshvara Temple''' is one of the largest in town, at the western end towards the beach.
Do
Visit one of the four beautiful '''beaches''' to the south. ''Kudle'' (pronounced Kudlee) is the first that you come to, about a 20 minute walk. ''Om'' is another 20 minute walk, and an additional 20 and 40 minute walk brings you to ''Half-moon Beach'' and ''Paradise Beach'' respectively. Walking to Half-moon and Paradise are not advisable during the monsoon as the walk is quite treacherous. Kudle is popular with those that are staying in town but want to spend the day at the beach, while Om is popular with those wanting to stay a few days or weeks and stare at the sea. Accommodation in huts or shacks and food are available always on all the beaches from 100 to 600/- per night. At Om beach there are 3 or 4 cafe restaurants. Enjoy the sea,sunlight,beer by sitting in any of the cafes near the beach. Since it is not possible to go to Kudle beach when it is dark without a torch light (the way to the beach winds around a hillock) it is better to stay in the town for the night and trek to the beach the next morning.
The beaches are pretty clean, but ask locally about '''swimming''', as the currents can be very strong and people die here every year.
Visit during ''Shiva Ratri''(February-March) festival. The celebrations are a tremendous sight to watch as thousands of pilgrims descend on the town.
Buy
Malas (prayer beads), incense, cheap jewelry and religious paraphernalia are sold in dozens of stalls along the main road and gathered around temple entrances.
Eat
There are a handful of local restaurants and dhabas in the town proper (including a couple of good options at the end of the main road where it hits Gokarna Beach).
Excellent local restaurants on the right just before the arch that leads into the main street. Incredibly cheap all-you-can-eat thalis, just don't drink the regular water though; buy yourself some bottled water. Street food is good, particularly the little fried pies and bhel puri. And don't forget to enjoy fish (pomfret, kingfish, seer being the popular ones) served fried, roasted or curried; as you like it.
All the beaches have basic accommodation and beach shacks (in season) serving food and drink.
In Namaste cafe at Om beach you can get Mexican, Israeli and Indian food. Don't forget to taste delicious sea food like Prawn Masala and King Fish Sizzler. Some Nepali people also run a really good restaurant from a straw and bamboo hut on Kudlee beach.
Drink
Fresh '''coconuts''' are widely available as are delicious '''lassis'''.
You may be able to find '''beer''' at one of the guesthouse restaurants on Om Beach, which should be consumed with discretion.
Sleep
In town
Gokarna International. km from the main temple. 91-8386-256622. ingle room Rs. 300/night, airconditioned double room Rs 650/night. 4__32'53"N. 4__19'20"E .
Hotel Om. ext to KSRTC bus stand. 10-minute walk from the Om beach. s.150/night for a double room with attached toilet.
Hotel Ram. ext to KSRTC bus stand. 10-minute walk from the Om beach. s. 60/night for a single room with common toilet/bathroom facilities.
Seabird Resort. on-airconditioned rooms Rs. 1000/night, airconditioned rooms Rs.1500/night. Nice place to stay
At the beaches
Namaste cafe. m Beach. 91-8386-257141. ooms or huts are available at rates ranging from Rs. 150 to Rs. 600. 4__19'6E.
Gokarna International. udle Beach. 91-8386-257843. on- airconditioned double room Rs 650/night.
Om Beach Resort. m Beach. 91-80-25597021. ttp://www.ombeachresort.com/. 35-$120/night. 91-80-25586163. Run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts, offers one bedroom villa packages for B & B Rs. 2200/- or all meals, Rs 3600/- per couple.
Swa Swara. ttp://www.swaswara.com/. An upscale retreat with 27 villas, with a focus on yoga, meditation and clean, healthy food.
No single day stays available. The resort provides a 5 night meditation and Yoga package for around US$ 1800/-, inclusive of F & B</sleep>
Respect
Gokarna is a pilgrimage town first and foremost, so it's best to keep this in mind - remain quiet and respectful of local traditions, ask permission (and remove your footwear) before entering any of the temples, and if you must consume alcohol here, do it on the premises of your guesthouse (if you're staying at one of the beaches), not in town.
Anyone carrying charas should be particularly careful. It is common to see Sadhus sitting a haze of ganja smoke, but don't assume that it's ok for you to do it to. Locals will report you to the police if they see you doing it or smell it about you and the police will treat you politely but firmly and won't accept baksheesh particularly during Shiva Ratri. Expect a term in jail with absolutely no sympathy from the consular office.
There are several other temples near gokarna.Murudeshwara temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is 45 mins to 1 Hoour drive from Gokarna.
Get out
Mysore
Hampi
Goa