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Destination Feature on: Gokarna
 
Quiet beaches and lush green forests
Travel Guide & information on
Gokarna, Karnataka

Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
Views : 1158
5/10
Based on
3 Comments
Contributors to this Feature : 1



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Featuring virgin beaches and breathtaking landscapes, the small town of Gokarna is about 450 km from Bangalore. A celebrated Shaivaite pilgrimage centre, Gokarna ranks as high as Varanasi and Rameshwar (Tamil Nadu) as a consecrated Shaivaite destination. Legend says that the Atmalinga acquired by Ravana from Lord Shiva was transported here. The 1,500-year-old Mahabaleshwara temple, the most visited location in town, enshrines a finely carved stone image of Lord Shiva in standing position.

Sited at the confluence of two rivers, Gokarna is more famous as a pilgrim centre, but with endless rows of coconut palms, blue seas and clean beaches, it is emerging as an idyllic location for a quiet seaside holiday. For beach aficionados this unhurried one-street town is a treat. The Holy beach in front of the Mahabaleshwara temple is thronged by pilgrims and fishermen giving it a distinctly local colour, while Kudle beach, about a 20 minute walk from the town, is a 2 km stretch of white sand fringed by palm trees. Yet perhaps the most scenic is the Om Beach. Accessible only by foot, it is 5 km from the town centre, and derives its name from its undulating shape, similar to the auspicious Om symbol. The Paradise and Half Moon beaches are smaller but attractive, surrounded as they are by rugged cliffs and secluded coves and islets.

Getting there.

Road. Well connected by government and private roadways who operate daily luxury and ordinary buses from Bangalore, Mangalore, Panaji and surrounding cities.

Rail. Connected with Mangalore and the train ride offers some very scenic vistas of the coast and western ghats.

Air. Nearest airports are located at Mangalore, Goa (Panaji) and Belgaum.

Submitted by: Srinidhi Raghavendra
Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
 
No Photos found

Sight-Seeing


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The 1,500-year-old Mahabaleshwara temple, the most visited location in town, enshrines a finely carved stone image of Lord Shiva in standing position. The Holy beach in front of the Mahabaleshwara temple is thronged by pilgrims and fishermen giving it a distinctly local colour, while Kudle beach, about a 20 minute walk from the town, is a 2 km stretch of white sand fringed by palm trees. Yet perhaps the most scenic is the Om Beach. The Paradise and Half Moon beaches are smaller but attractive, surrounded as they are by rugged cliffs and secluded coves and islets.

Submitted by: Srinidhi Raghavendra
Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
 
No Photos found

Things to do


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Swimming in the sea,

walking in the beach,

cliff climbing,

wildlife watching

fishing

Submitted by: Srinidhi Raghavendra
Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
 
No Photos found

Hotels


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Gokarna is still undeveloped for leisure tourism. Primarily a pilgrimage centre, the accommodation options are rudimentary. Several budget hotels, guesthouses and beach huts are available for anything between Rs.50-600 per night. The local KSTDC Hotel offers rooms for Rs.105-700 per day.

However the most upscale is the Om Beach Resort promoted as a joint venture between Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd, a government of Karnataka undertaking and the Kairali Group, India’s leading holistic healing company. The resort has 12 colonial style suites and ayurvedic, leisure and wildlife holiday packages. Tariff: (Rs.2,475-3,375 per night)

Submitted by: Srinidhi Raghavendra
Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
 
No Photos found

Food


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Several restaurants are available, due to an excessive inflow of foreign tourists, eateries offer continenta, Italian, Chinese along with Indian food.

Submitted by: Srinidhi Raghavendra
Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
 
No Photos found

Offbeat


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Walk along the beach and trek to Paradise Bay and half moon beaches. This will be a memorable experience.

Submitted by: Srinidhi Raghavendra
Last updated on: Friday, Jul 06, 2007
 
No Photos found

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 3 Comments on: Destination Feature on Gokarna

By poojaalld|Wed,Jul 11, 2007
dear how to reach there?

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By poojaalld|Wed,Jul 11, 2007
plz give some more description...its not clear where is it exactly and how to reach it

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By Express Gypsy|Wed,Jul 11, 2007
Nice feature Srinidhi..and I loved the photos in phto section.

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