Gokarna, Ancient Religious Place, Rituals, Temples & Beaches, Karnataka, India

History, Best Places to Visit and Travel Guide of Gokarna, Major Pilgrimage Destination of Karnataka, India

Gokarna, small town of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is major pilgrimage destination of South India where devotee from surrounding area and nearby states visits here. Along with religious significance, now a days Gokarna becomes popular tourist destination as well due to its several clean and beautiful beaches. The history of Gokarna founds in our ancient scripture dated back to thousands of year and lots of tales are associated with this place. Tamil saints Nayanars like Appar and sambanthar praised the deity and this region in their hyms tevaram. Gokarna, the temple town has several historical temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and other deities and long pristine sandy beach which attracts people here throughout the year. Mahabaleshwar Temple, Maha Ganapati Temple, Om Beach named due to its Om shape, Half moon beach, Paradise beach etc. are main attraction and best places to visit in Gokarna. Along with tourism, People across the south Indian state reaches here at Gokarna for various after death rituals like Narayan Nagbali Puja, Tripindi Shraddh, Kalsharp Puja, Panchbali Puja etc. Gokarna is very popular and holds special significance for after death rituals thus people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and other state visit here throughout the year and especially during the Kartik, Bhadrapad and Chaitra month. Gokarna is important centre of Sanskrit learning and houses Bhandikeri Math and Toggu Math.

Now a days lots of center of Yoga opened here at Gokarna, thus it becomes the hub of Yoga along with Rishikesh, Varanasi, Goa etc.

As Gokarna is becoming popular tourist destination along with Pilgrimage center of south India, lot of hotels, resort, restaurants and other tourism related facilities are developing a lot.

The word Gokarna is combination of two words, Gau means cow and karna means ear. As per other legend, Gokarna is located at the confluence of two rivers Gangavati and Aghanashini and this looks like ears of cow, thus named as Gokarna. There are several tales associated with Gokarna, one of the main tales is related to Atmalinga of Lord Shiva and demon king Ravana. Mother of Ravana had desired to worship Atmalinga of Lord Shiva, thus to fulfill wish of his mother, Ravana did penance of Lord Shiva to get the Atmalinga from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed with his rigorous penance and provide Atmalinga with one condition. In any case he was not allowed to put down Atmalinga on earth, if it puts down of earth then it will eternally embedded at the that place and no one can shift then. Ravan agrees with condition and started moving towards the Lanka. On seeing this, Lord Vishnu and other deities realized that if Atmalinga of Lord Shiva placed in Lanka then no one can defeat Ravan and he becomes immortal. Thus Lord Vishnu had planned to stop him and requested help from Lord Ganesh. Ravan was punctuate for its Sandhya in evening so Lord Vishnu had hides the sun and sent Lord Ganpati at place where Ravan was. This was the place – Gokarna where Ravan gave Atmalinga to Brahman Child, who was Ganesha and told to hold in hand until he completes his evening worship. Lord Ganesh holds Atmalinga for some time but Ravana tooks more time in worship thus Ganesha called him three time but Ravana did not came. Thus Lord Ganesh had put down Atmalinga here at Gokarna and disappeared. On seeing this, Ravan tried to lift the Atmakinga but could not do so and thus left for Lanka. Thus since the Treta Yuga the Atmalinga of Lord Shiva placed here in Gokarna. As lord shiva is Mahabali thus temple here known as Mahabaleshwar. As per the other legend, Lord Shiva came out in form of Cow here from the Ma Devi Prithvi. As per the Bhagwad Puran, Gokarna and Dhundhukari, two brothers lived here at Gokarna.

From the last few years domestic and foreign tourist started visiting here at Gokarna for its clean and peaceful beach to avoid the rush of Goa. Small hills, beaches, island, coconut and palm trees attraction everyone here.

This is how Gokarna hold great significance in terms of historical, religious, rich cultural and tourism in South India.

How to Reach Gokarna, The Temple and Beach Town, Karnataka, India

Gokarna being one of the major pilgrimage center and tourist destination, of Karnataka, it is very well connected with all major cities of Karnataka via road, rail and air network. It has major railway junction just at 7 km from town from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Dabolim Airport in Goa is the nearest airport from Gokarna at around 140 km and Mangalore airport is at around 230 km. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to Gokarna. Gokarna is located at 60 km from Karwar, 135 km from Goa, 235 km from Mangalore, 450 km from Bangalore. You can get direct buses from Mangalore, Goa, and Bangalore etc. to reach Gokarna.

Taluka / Tehsil: Kumta, District: Uttara Kannada, State: karnataka, Country: india.

Religious Importance: Hindu

How to Reach Gokarna

Key Contact of Gokarna