The old town of Gokarna. Gokarna, India

In the north of its Arabian coast. The small village has long become the most important place of pilgrimage for followers of the Shiva cult, and in recent years has become a popular tourist destination. In the first case, this is the veneration of sacred corners, one way or another associated with the Hindu deity, and in the second, the manifestation of interest in a certain cultural layer of Indian religious traditions, as well as the presence near "sparsely populated" beaches.

The toponym "Gokarna" has a somewhat strange translation from Sanskrit and means "cow's ear". According to one version, this is due to the fact that Gokarna is located on an area that resembles an animal's ear in plan. But the main legend mentions a completely different fact. Shivaites believe that it was in these places that the god Shiva was born from the ear of the ancient Indian mythological goddess Prithivi, who at that moment took the zoomorphic form of a cow. However, in the texts compiled in the traditions of Hinduism, there are many other references to the old city and its great importance for Hindus.

Attractions Gokarna

The city has a huge number of temples, ranging from the most ancient and most important for the Shaivites Mahabaleshwar and ending with tiny chapels that can accommodate no more than five people. Tourists can see some of the cult sites only from the outside, or by accidentally looking through the open door. Out of respect for the feelings of believers, one should not strive to get into such churches by fraud. It must be understood that pilgrims have the right to privacy and tranquility within the holy spaces.

Restrictions on entry to Gokarna temples were enacted several years ago due to a series of incidents provoked by foreigners. Those too clearly demonstrated their disrespect for the main Hindu shrines.

Tourists are given the opportunity to get acquainted with some religious monuments and objects. You can also walk along the open for visits to the sites of the temple complexes.

Old Gokarna is considered one of the seven Hindu pilgrimage centers. Tourists should not be surprised to see white cows in the temples and the fact that the Brahmins living in the city, belonging to one of the highest castes of India, lead a rather modest lifestyle.

The main cult sights of the city include 4 objects.

Mahabaleshwar

The temple is the oldest and most important sanctuary in Gokarna. Its age is 1500 years. The complex houses one of the most powerful shivaite shrines - the atmalingam. According to legend, the king of Lanka, Ravana, kidnapped him in an insidious way from Shiva, but the elephant-headed god Ganesha, who for a time turned into a sweet young man, managed to take possession of the lingam by cunning and put the shrine on the ground. She was immediately filled with the "weight of the three worlds" and took root. Returning from meditation, Ravenna was unable to move the lingam. Here he stands to this day.

Hindus believe that the atmalingam is able to give special power and deliver from all sins, even the most serious ones. The shrine is a stone pillar with a rounded top. Pilgrims prepare for the ritual meeting with the lingam in advance. They fast, bathe properly in the sea or Kotiirtha pond. Many people shave their heads.

Mahabaleshwar is located on Gokarna Beach Road, which runs from the city's Gokarna Beach to the kingdom of Hindu temples.

Maha Ganapati

The temple of the elephant-headed god of wisdom and well-being Ganesha is located two minutes walk from Mahabaleshwar. According to tourists, it is allowed to enter the small Maha Ganapati. For a small offering or donation, you can ask to apply tilaka (a characteristic mark for Hindus on the forehead), receive prasada (consecrated food) and a flower garland, and ring the bell at the entrance.

In Maha Ganapati, it is rarely crowded, since before the beginning of each work, the Shaivites go to the temple to pray to the god Ganesha.

Kotiirtha

The lake is considered sacred and is used for ritual ablutions, mass washing of clothes and farewell to the dead. The reservoir is located surrounded by Hindu temples, half a kilometer from Mahabaleshwar. The place is very calm, cows are walking around, large fish are swimming in the water, and lotuses can be seen. The lake does not differ in cleanliness, although it is cleaned from time to time by the inhabitants themselves. Locals claim that this turbid water is quite drinkable, but tourists are not recommended to test the plausibility of their statements.

Shiva Kaveh

According to legend, it was in this quiet cave that Shiva was born, and he came out into the world from an opening located in the vault of the main cave hall. Tourists sometimes come across a ladder here. Perhaps those who wish to be born again leave the caves through the sacred hole.

When planning to visit Shiva Kave, it is recommended to bring a flashlight with you. In addition, it is necessary to mentally prepare for a meeting with bats. There is a shivaling in the cave and there is a place for meditation. It is possible to discover the cave located far from the city center by the congestion of rickshaws waiting for tourists.

Entrance to Shiva Kave - Google panorama

What you need to know

Very often people come to Gokarna from neighboring Goa. But, unfortunately, not everyone realizes that the atmosphere of the holy city is too far from the relaxed atmosphere of the tourist areas. There are guesthouses and shacks here, but there is a lack of civilian conditions for recreation and a lack of variety on the menu. You need to walk around the city in relatively closed clothes, find bars with alcoholic drinks and get to a party is incredibly difficult. Nevertheless, there are more tourists in this small town every year. They are attracted by the lower prices for food and housing, the opportunity to get closer to the "real" India and a quick return, if desired, to the noisy atmosphere of exuberant fun that reigns in Goa.

Getting lost in the old city is almost impossible. The main temples are located on Gokarna Beach Road, so it is recommended to start a walk around the city from this street, or rather, from the southern border of the city beach of Gokarna Beach. Continue along Car Street to reach the triple intersection and turn right towards Kotiirtha Lake.

Considering that the old city of Gokarna is considered sacred, you should not defile through the streets in beachwear or too open clothes, and even more so approach religious sites in this form.

When visiting Hindu temples or places of worship, there are several important rules to keep in mind:

• going inside with shoes is not allowed;
• you should cross the threshold with your right foot;
• you only need to move clockwise;
• leaving a small donation is considered the norm.

There is a market in Gokarna that sells souvenirs and ethnic clothing. You can sample local cuisine at the café.

The festival of the god Shiva - Mahashivaratri - is widely celebrated in February-March. The idols of the deities Shiva and Parvati are set on decorated chariots and transported around the city. The action is accompanied by chants, mantras, ringing of bells, many lighted lamps. The event is spectacular and memorable.

Beaches nearby

Visiting the sights of Gokarna can be combined with a beach holiday. Until recently, the coastal zones were completely empty, but today the picture looks different. There are more and more tourists who prefer to lie down on the seaside.

Women near the pilgrimage sites and the main temples of the city will not be allowed to undress to swimsuits.

There are several beaches in the Gokarna area:

The railway station "Gokarna Road Station" is located 9 km from the city. From South Goa, trains follow here from Margao - through Agonda, Kanakona and Mazhali. Through the territory of Karnataka - through Karwar, Aversa and Ankola. The distance from "Gokarna Road Station" to the city can be covered by using the services of a bicycle or auto rickshaw.

Buses travel from Ankola and Karwar railway stations to Gokarna. In addition, there is a regular bus service between the City Bus Main Stand located on Main Street and several cities within the states of Karnataka and Goa. Trips are operated by RedBus (starting stops in Mumbai and Bangalore), Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (buses leave from Margao) and Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).

It takes just 3-4 hours to get to the Gokarna bus station from the neighboring state of Goa. Traveling by train is much faster, and in most cases it is more comfortable.

Gokarna, a small village that is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, became a Mecca for Goan tourists a few years ago. It is then the second most popular destination for travelers from. The first time I came there from Goa to capture the nearby attractions on the way. This was my first small independent trip to India after a relaxed and lazy life in Goa, so it will be remembered for a long time. Gokarna is a sacred city, according to legend, it was here that Shiva appeared from the ear of Prithivi, who took the form of a cow. Hence the name: Gokarna - "cow's ear".

There are no bars or parties in the city, everything is much more complicated with alcohol here, the city beach has little resemblance to a paradise with white sand, and there are many temples in the village that Hindus are not even allowed to enter. Why do lovers of freedom come here?

Gokarna is one of the closest places to Goa to find real India! It is located in the neighboring state of Karnataka, and everything is different here. When I was there for the first time 7 years ago, there were practically no pale-faced people on the street. Today everything has changed, more and more travelers leave for Gokarna to take a break from the noisy Goa, and some even live here for 6 months. Low prices, an atmosphere of spirituality and full of shanti, a lost paradise stretching along a series of four beaches, attract Indian vagabonds here.

How to get there

Gokarna is located 165 km from the capital of Goa Panaji, 453 km from Bangalore, 240 km north of Mangalore, 132 km from and 59 km from Karwar. These are the largest transport hubs located in the district.

There is no airport in the village itself, you can get to it by bus, train or taxi. Also, many travelers ride bikes. Any of the above methods is convenient, since the distance is short. Well, the fastest way to get here is by train.

By plane

The nearest airport is located in Goa, there are also 2 airports in Karnataka, but they are the least convenient for our tourists, planes from Russia do not fly there.

Through Goa

So far, most travelers go to Gokarna from Goa, few people only purposefully travel here. How to get from Russia to Goa airport ( Dabolim Airport) read. You can search for prices from different carriers.

Through Karnataka

If Goa is not included in your vacation plans, Gokarna can be combined with other cities of Karnataka by arriving at Bangalore Airport ( Bengaluru International Airport).

Include Mysore, Badami, Murudeshwara in your itinerary.

There is no direct flight to Bangalore from Russia, you will have to fly through. Look for the nuances of air communication between Russia and Bangalore.

Goa can be reached by regular or charter flight. I described this in more detail in the article about Anjuna, read it.

I will tell you how to get to Gokarna from Goa (Dabolim) below.

By train

From Goa, trains run to Gokarna from stations in Margao and Canacona. They are all in the south.

From Margao and Canacona

You can get from Dabolim to Margao by taxi or with numerous transfers by buses. A pre-paid airport taxi will cost USD 13.8 (INR 900 / INR) to Margao and USD 26.7 (INR 1736) to Canacona. Travel time will be about half an hour and an hour, respectively.

Residents of North Goa will have to get first to Mapa, then take a bus to Panjim, then a shuttle bus to Margao. Southern Goans are more fortunate, Margao is the largest settlement in South Goa. From Dabolim to Panjim, a pre-paid taxi will cost 13.3 USD (870 INR), it takes about 40 minutes.

From Margao and Canacona there are 2 trains per day to Gokarna:

• Matsyagandha Express (at 01:35 from, at 03:06 from Canacona).
• Mao Maq Passenger (at 13:00 from Margao, at 13:52 from Canacona). Travel time - 1.5-2 hours, tickets cost a penny - from 1 USD (65 INR).

How to get from the railway station to Gokarna

In Gokarna, trains arrive at the station of the same name, from which it is about 9 km to the village itself.

There is no bus stop here, so you will have to go by rickshaw for about 4.6 USD (300 INR).

From other cities in India

You can get by train to Gokarna and from other cities, but there are not many direct trains. Gokarna Railway Station (GOK) is crossed by:

• Matsyagandha Express (12619)- the train connecting Mumbai and Mangalore follows the route: Lokmanyatilak (Mumbai) - Mangaon - Cancona - Karwar - Ankola - Gokarna Road - Kumta - Murdeshwar - Udupi - Mangalore. From Mumbai to Gokarna can be reached in 12 hours and 7.3 USD (480 INR). The train runs every day.
• Poorna Express (11097)- the train connecting Pune and Cochin (Eranakulam) follows the route: Pune Junction - Madgaon - Karwar - Gokarna Road - Kumta (KT) - Murdeshwar - Udupi - Mangalore Junction - Kozhikode - Ernakulam Town - Eranakulam Junction. From Pune to Gokarna the train takes 12 hours 40 minutes, the ticket costs 6.07 USD (395 INR). The train runs once a week, from Pune it leaves on Saturday.
• Maru Sagar Express (12978)- the train connecting Rajasthan (Ajmer) with Kerala runs along the route: Ajmer Junction - Kishangarh - Jaipur - Sawai Madhopur - Kota Junction - Vadodara Junction - Madgaon - Karwar - Gokarna Road - Udupi - Mangalore Junction - Kozhikode - Eranakulam Junction ... From Ajmer It takes 31 hours to get to Gokarna, the journey costs 12.15 USD (790 INR). The train runs once a week, leaves Ajmer on Friday.

By bus

The most surprising thing for me about the bus service between Goa and Gokarna is that there is simply no private direct bus, for example, my favorite sleeper bass. Gokarna is attractive for tourists from Goa and doubly attractive for Indian tourists who travel to holy places. Both will have to travel with transfers. If this does not frighten the Indians, then why should it frighten us?

On a sleeper bass

Sleeper bass is one of my favorite modes of transport in India. These are comfortable trains with reclining seats. They usually go at night, so you can sleep peacefully. Of the amenities, you can be offered an air conditioner, a blanket and a bottle of water - this is the maximum that I personally met. Most often, I take the simplest option without air conditioning (since it is already cool at night). I advise everyone to take their own blanket and blanket: Indian buses are not the cleanest in the world.

Although sleeper bass do not go to Gokarna from Goa, they are from other cities:

• from Bangalore you can travel comfortably in 7-10 hours and 10 USD (650 INR). In Bangalore, there are a huge number of points from where buses leave, they make more than a dozen stops around the city and will always be able to pick you up at a convenient place. One of the largest bus stations is Bangalore Bus Station, Majestic, where the Kempegowda Metro Station is located. You can get to them from the international airport by taxi or by bus (there are many transfers).

• from for 15 hours and approximately 15.3 USD (1,000 INR). The same goes for. Buses run through the city, picking up passengers. For tourists who stay in, it will be convenient to get from Victoria Station, many buses stop there.

By shuttle bus

From Goa will have to get there by regular buses.

The main plus of travel is cheapness. Travel on any bus costs 0.3–0.76 USD (20–50 INR).

The main disadvantage is time. You can spend the whole day on the way. Although the distance between Goa and Gokarna is not so great, the number of changes and the slow speed of buses stretch the road for the whole day. We traveled to Gokarna by buses, as time allowed us to have such long journeys. Tourists with 2 weeks of their entire vacation might want to consider a taxi.

So, inhabitants of North Goa first you must get to Mapsu - the main transport hub of this part of the state. Direct buses to the terminal station (bus station) are available from all beaches:, Morzhim, Baga,. Travel time - up to 1 hour. Then you need to transfer to the shuttle bus to Panaji, the state capital and the transport gate to the south, this is another + 1 hour. Residents of Candolim and Calangute can bypass Mapsa and take a direct bus to Panaji. Next, you need a bus to Ankola (1.5-2 hours), and from there to Gokarna (0.5 hours). A direct bus to Ancola does not go often, if you did not get on it, go to Karvar, and from there to Ancola.

Everywhere the bus goes to the terminal station, at the bus station you will be met by a conductor who will show you the desired bus. He also needs to pay for the bus fare. It is impossible to get lost on such a route, you do not have to look for anything. Just ask the conductors for the required city.

Residents of South Goa get to, there are direct buses to it from all southern beaches. From there to Ankola and then to Gokarna.

On average, the journey takes 5-7 hours (from the south or north, respectively), and the entire journey will cost up to 3 USD (200 INR).

How to get from the bus station to Gokarna

All government buses arrive at Gokarna's only bus station, which is located in the center of the village and throughout the tourist life.

By car

As I wrote above, if you are on a short vacation and are in a hurry to Gokarna, take a taxi. Renting a car is not the best option, because to travel between states you need a special permit, which is only issued to the owner of the car. I already wrote a lot about how renting a car for traveling in India is more of a headache than a pleasure. Leave this idea for comfortable travel within the same state for short distances.

Taxi

So, taxi. It is best to find yourself a company, as this type of transport is very expensive. The cost of the trip starts from 61 USD (4,000 INR). The further north your beach is, the more expensive the taxi will be.

Finding a taxi from Dabolim can be problematic. But you can book online in advance. Prices start at 77 USD (5,000 INR).

Prompt:

Gokarna - the time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow - 2:30

Kazan - 2:30

Samara - 1:30

Yekaterinburg - 0:30

Novosibirsk 1:30

Vladivostok 4:30

When is the season. When is the best time to go

The weather in Gokarna is similar to that of Goan. The season here lasts about the same - from October to March. At the beginning and at the end of the season, there are very few tourists, prices for everything drop.

In addition to the surge in the tourist season, one should also take into account the traditional Hindu holidays, which are attended by pilgrims from all over India. The largest of them are Diwali and Maha Shivaratri. At this time, finding accommodation in the city is very difficult. On the beaches there is more chance of renting a room, but I would advise you to book in advance.

Gokarna in summer

From June to August, there are no foreigners in Gokarna at all. Those who stay in India all year round often move north to the mountains, at this time it is real summer there - warm weather and blooming gardens. It's hot in Gokarna, and it starts raining in June.

The sea, although warm, is not very suitable for swimming, because of the strong waves.

Gokarna in autumn

September and the first half of October are usually not suitable for a comfortable stay in Gokarna. But the weather can be different every year. If the rainy season ended earlier, then already from September dry and sunny weather can be. But this is rather an exception.

Since the end of October, the first tourists come here. At the same time, the festival "Diwali" is taking place, one of the main holidays of Hindus, Gokarna is filled with life.

Gokarna in spring

Since March, the season has been slowly declining. Housing prices are falling. But it is getting harder and harder to stay in Gokarna. The air temperature exceeds +30 ° С, humidity increases. Even at night it is difficult to do without air conditioning, and comfortable accommodation in Gokarna is much less than in other tourist areas of India.

Gokarna in winter

The optimal time to relax in Gokarna is our winter. Accommodation can be taken both on the beach and in the city. The sea is ideal for swimming, there are many cafes.

Of course, at this time, the price tag for housing and food is growing, but Gokarna, in any case, remains cheaper than Goa.

Gokarna - monthly weather

Prompt:

Gokarna - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

Gokarna has beach and village areas. Which one to stop at is up to you.

The distances are very small, so even living in the village itself, you can easily get to any beach. Transport will solve the problem: by renting a bike, you will be absolutely free in your movements. You can also get to the beach by rickshaw for 1.5 USD (100 INR).

I have been to Gokarna three times and have stayed both in the village and on the beach. So I will gladly share my experience with you.

Village area

My choice for a long stay is a village, where you can find more or less comfortable accommodation. We rented a room in a family guesthouse just off the main road. Everything we needed was within walking distance, we went to the beaches by rickshaw.

Coastal area

On the beach, we rented a completely ascetic room. Most often they offer bamboo beach huts, you can see options for such a dwelling, for example,. Please note: amenities here may be outside, electricity is often turned off (in all districts of Gokarna).

I must say right away that there are very few options presented on search engine sites with housing. Most often they offer luxury accommodation in new expensive hotels or yoga retreats. Pricing starts at USD 100 per room per night. For Gokarna, this is cosmic money. On the spot, you can find rooms for yourself from 1.5–3 USD (100–200 INR). This will be the simplest room, not very clean and comfortable, but there are many such options. Average prices start at 6 USD (400 INR). For this money, you will be offered a bed, a ceiling fan and a shower in the room.

By the way, the situation with hot water in the village is not very good. Rare owners install water heaters. During the day, the water in the barrels on the rooftops is heated by the sun, so you can shower normally.

If you are still more interested in expensive hotels, then it makes sense to book accommodation on. You can compare prices for such housing from different search engines, for example,.

Station area

So Gokarna herself is very small. If you are arriving by bus, you will most likely be dropped off on Main Road. There is also a bus station here. You can start looking for housing from here. This area has all the maximum that Gokarna has to offer for a tourist: a market, cafes, tourist offices, where you can find tickets to other cities in India or order a car with a driver. Most of the hotels are located here.

Since Gokarna is a city of Indian pilgrims, hotels are also designed for locals. Once we got there during a major holiday, and there were no places anywhere. While trying to check into one of these hotels, I saw stacks of Indians sleeping on the floor right in the foyer.

Therefore, I would advise you to immediately go to small guesthouses. Most often these are ordinary Indian houses in which families live and free rooms are rented out. The conditions are much better there, everything is very clean. At the same time, you can live a little in an authentic environment. You can rent such a room for 7.7 USD (500 INR). If you like to walk (and in Gokarna, rest is conducive to walking), you can get to any of the desired beaches right along the coastline. The city beach is the closest. If you walk along it, you can come to the rest of the tourist beaches. Let's talk about housing on the beaches of the village, and read about their infrastructure in the "Beaches" section.

Gokarna Beach

Here it is, the Main Beach city beach, whose length is about 7 km. In the central part it is a typical littered, muddy Indian beach. Locals prefer it for walks and picnics. Europeans do not swim here and generally rarely appear.

Accommodation can be found a few meters from the beach. Rooms for rent in guesthouses and whole houses. The prices are quite low, but I would advise you to walk at least a couple of kilometers in one direction or the other. There you can find decent housing for the same price tag as in the village. Since this beach is located closest to Gokarna itself, all infrastructure will be close by. You can walk safely. But for swimming, it is better to walk to the neighboring beaches.

Kudle Beach

European beaches begin from Kudle Beach. The first is the largest with a relatively straight coastline. There are many cafes and inexpensive housing. It is quite possible to reach Gokarna on foot, either along the coast or along the village roads.

Kudle can be quite crowded during the season, however, none of the Gokarna beaches can compare with the Goan ones in terms of congestion (take either Anjuna during rush hour). The simplest rooms on the beach start at 4.6 USD (300 INR), while the average price tag in Gokarna is the same. There are several expensive resorts on Koodla where you can stay comfortably for 80 USD or more.

Om Beach

One of the most popular beaches is called Om, all cafes and guesthouses have this magical sound in their name. The beach got its name due to the fact that the shape resembles the sign "Om". By itself, it is not too large, the infrastructure is less developed here than on the two previous beaches, but there is housing and a cafe. Most often, the rooms are just attached to the beach restaurants. Most of them are bamboo huts with holes in the walls, here you can feel complete unity with nature. Amenities in the form of a shared outdoor shower and toilet are common to all. At the beginning and end of the season, such a room can be rented for a penny - 1.5 USD (100 INR) per day. In the high season - 2-3 times more expensive. I would advise you to bring your own padlock on the door, this rule is suitable for any travel in India. The room has a bed with a mosquito net and everything ...

In such a house you can spend a couple of romantic nights, falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the sea. I was looking for more comfort and came across an equally simple guest house, but with stone houses. They cost a little more, but there were no holes in the wall. Although everything else was not much different. There is a mattress on a stone bench and a shower and toilet behind the partition. Leaving the room, you can go directly to the cafe. The beach begins in a couple of meters. Relaxing on the beaches of Gokarna can get very lazy. By the way, there are enough people on Om Beach, locals often walk here, watching half-naked Europeans. There are many Israelis among tourists, and now also Russians.

Half moon beach

The farther from civilization, the more wild and secluded relaxation becomes. There are even fewer cafes and guesthouses on the next beach, Half-moon ("half of the moon"), but they are still there. Accommodation is represented by beach houses of palm leaves from 3 USD (200 INR) and outdoor amenities.

You can eat in a few cafes here. To shops and other joys of life, you will have to take a walk in Gokarna itself. The beach is cozier and more secluded than Om Beach. Idle Indians hardly ever come here. There are several boats that take tourists between the beaches.

Half-moon seemed to me quite cozy and very calm.

Paradise Beach

The last, most remote Paradise Beach is truly heavenly. Here you will definitely be covered with full shanti. On the whole beach there are a couple of cafes with several tables, sheltered in the shade of palm trees, and houses "on chicken legs." Housing prices are the same here: USD 2–3 (INR 150–200) per room without amenities.

There is no infrastructure in the district. In the cafe you will find the simplest menu, some fruit for sale and free books left by previous Robinsons. You can get to the "mainland" on foot, on your bike or by boat.

Living on Paradise is most like island life. On average, 30 people live on the beach during the season. Some live in tents, which further saves the travel budget.

What are the prices for rest

In general, holidays in Gokarna are much cheaper than in Goa or Kerala, and prices are close to those in other cities of India. However, the interest of white tourists in this place leads to a gradual increase in prices. It is cheaper to live in Gokarna itself than on the beaches. This rule works all over the world. On the beaches, housing and food in a cafe will be more expensive than in the countryside. At the same time, the rooms will be less comfortable, and the food will not be as tasty. This is my personal assessment, not claiming to be true, but I choose to live and eat in Gokarna, and go to the beaches during the day.

Lodging

The cost of the most budget accommodation in Gokarna and on the beaches starts from 1.5-3 USD (100 INR) for a double room. It will be a very basic and not the cleanest room with a bed.

Minimum comfort starts at USD 4.6 (INR 300). For the money, you can count on a fan above the bed and in-room amenities. It can be either a room in the city or a concrete bungalow on the seashore.

For 7.7-10.7 USD (500-700 INR) you can rent a nice clean room on the beach or in the village in a decent guesthouse. A room in a good hotel costs from 30–46 USD (2,000–3,000 INR).

I like living in the countryside because everything I need is close at hand. However, living at least a couple of days on the beach in a hut is an invaluable experience.

Many come to Gokarna for a long time. There is not yet such an abundance of holiday rentals as in Goa, but some options can be found. A room with a kitchen in a shared house with the owners or a small separate house will cost 150 USD (10,000 INR) per month.

Food

In the village there are many cafes (dhabba) for locals. They have a standard vegetarian menu and very low prices. You can get a set lunch with a drink for 1.5 USD (100 INR) and even less. There are street food and shops where locals buy groceries for a penny.

On the beaches the choice is much less, it is limited to a few restaurants with a traditional tourist set. Here you can already find cuisine adapted for Europeans. The food here is 2-3 times more expensive than the village one. Lunch for one will cost about 4.6 USD (300 INR).

Gokarna is a holy city, alcohol is tight here. On the beaches in cafes you will be offered beer from under the floor at a price 3 times more expensive than the real cost.

Transport

Since the village is very small, there is no need to spend money on transport here. Even driving rickshaws, you will not go broke. Prices from Gokarna to the beaches are from 1.5 to 4.6 USD (100-300 INR).

Internet

Things are not going well with the Internet in Gokarna. If you constantly need a good connection for work, choose another place to stay. Here it is barely enough to write a message to your loved ones.

There are several internet cafes on the main street, where 1 hour of use costs 0.46 USD (30 INR). Some restaurants have Wi-Fi, but the signal is very weak.

Major attractions. What to see

Gokarna cannot boast of many attractions. In fact, this is an ordinary Indian village, of which there are many. For Indian tourists, it has a special sacred meaning, and for ours it is interesting for its atmosphere of untouched real India, which is not found in the resorts.

The most interesting part of the city is one or two streets with main temples, where there are no ancient architecture, museums and parks. And the revered ancient temples themselves will disappoint any tourist who has been further than Goa. So, not everyone can reveal the beauty and attractiveness of Gokarna.

There are several Hindu temples in the city, but most of them are closed to foreigners. Therefore, you will not be able to touch the shrine. At the same time, I never once had a question of what to do. For a full inspection of Gokarna and the beaches, about a week is enough to slowly enjoy the atmosphere and natural beauty. For a quick inspection, a couple of days will be enough. And those who come here for a long time are looking for something to do so as not to get bored, for example, they study yoga or Sanskrit from local teachers.

Top 5

It is very difficult to compose the top five attractions, because there are not so many of them in the village. I will only list my favorite places in Gokarna, and I will give a description of them below:

Beaches. Which is better

There are as many as 5 beaches in Gokarna, each of which has its own atmosphere. They are the ones that attract travelers. If you are in Gokarna for a week or two, you can live for several days on each of the beaches, feel the spirit of this place. Tourists who are accustomed to the Goa lifestyle can quickly get bored.

In order not to get confused, we will move from north to south. Go!

Main Beach (Gokarna)

The main and closest beach to the city is the worst of all. This is a traditional urban Indian beach: dirty, littered, absolutely not suitable for swimming. At the beginning of the beach, a rivulet flows into the sea, the banks of which, according to tradition, are polluted.

I strongly advise against sunbathing here for white girls in swimsuits, this is not welcomed by the locals. And there are many of them on the beach, especially at sunset. But you can and should walk along the city beach: it is very long, almost 7 km. If you move a little further north, you will find yourself on a rather clean, pleasant beach, which is part of the main one.

You can live in simple bungalows on the beach or in the countryside.

How to get there: you can walk from the center of Gokarna in a few minutes.

Kudle Beach

Like all subsequent beaches, Kudle is a wide bay closed on both sides by rocks, due to which the waves here are quite small. It is more touristy than Main Beach, the main contingent is Israelis, Spaniards, Italians. In the evenings, locals gather here near bonfires or in a cafe: they sing mantras, play drums. Many come with families with children.

This beach is quite large, compared to the more hidden from prying eyes Half moon or Paradise beach, but about them below.

Kudla has a well-developed infrastructure, everything you need is nearby. There are more than a dozen cafes on the beach with a variety of cuisine. It is easy to rent an apartment here, find shops, and, if you wish, hit the road at any time. Kudle is chosen by tourists who come to Gokarna for a long time. You can swim and sunbathe here in peace. But be prepared for the views of enthusiastic Indians, they also come here for a walk.

How to get there: Gokarna can be reached on foot in 20 minutes.

Om Beach

People come to Om Beach in large companies, besides, there are many fishermen and boaters. At the same time, entertainment on Om Beach is at least as well as on any other beaches of Gokarna. It is quite busy during the day, especially in high season. Tourists wait out the heat in a cafe, swim, play various sports games.

There are many adult dogs and puppies on the beach who love to play with tourists. But in the evening, life freezes. After dark, leisure options are noticeably narrowed. Someone continues to sit in a cafe, drink tea, read books, someone moves to the beach and sits by the fire with a guitar. The main entertainment is to climb one of the huge stones sticking out of the sea and wait for the sunset.

How to get there: from Kudle to Om on foot along the coast to walk 20 minutes. From the village you can walk in 40 minutes. Also, boats with tourists run between all the beaches, the trip will cost from 3 USD (200 INR).

Half moon beach

This beach is even more secluded and remote from civilization. Indians hardly come here. It is almost impossible to get to such a place in Goa, so I think you should use such a chance. When else will you be able to live on a small beach hidden by rocks, in a hut made of palm leaves? Take more books or games with you if you can't imagine evenings without entertainment. In a couple of days you will meet all the inhabitants of the beach and become good friends. It is for this easy communication that you should come to Gokarna and Half Moon Beach.

I talked about the infrastructure in the "Districts" section above.

How to get there: as well as before the previous ones, along the coast.

Paradise Beach

The beach farthest from Gokarna lives up to its name: time flows slowly here. Tourists lie on the sand all day, of course, there are no sun loungers with umbrellas here, or they sit in the shade of palm trees. In a few cafes, you can take freshly squeezed juice or tea and, sitting under a fishing boat, enjoy a measured rest.

How to get there: one of the most affordable activities for beach goers is walking. You can walk on foot to any of the listed beaches. The road will be very exciting, I promise! The main thing is to try to get out in the morning, before the heat wave, take water with you and spread with cream. The most scenic path runs along the coast through the jungle and rocks. Comfortable shoes won't hurt either. From Koodle Beach to Paradise, you can not only walk, but also take a boat ride for 7.7 USD (500 INR).

Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting

Only Hindu temples (temples) are found in Gokarna. As I said, they do not shine with beauty on the outside or inside, but they have a strong energy. When visiting Hindu temples, observe the dress code and respect someone else's religion: clothes must be covered, you can enter the temple only barefoot, leaving your shoes outside. Worth a visit:

Tourist streets

There is only one main street in Gokarna, which can be considered a tourist street. Here are the main temples, guesthouses, travel offices and cafes.

Along the street are shops of ritual and household products. So all possible shopping will have to be done only here. It is very convenient to settle in the Main Road area, you do not have to waste time on the road, a taxi is always at hand.

What to see in 1 day

In 1 day you can see all of Gokarna and even walk around it, capturing all the beaches:

What to see in the vicinity

If you are visiting Gokarna for a long time, you will have time to explore the surroundings. There are much more attractions in the 100 km area than in Gokarna itself. I myself have always planned a trip to Gokarna so as to see other interesting places on the way. Here is our approximate route: North - South - Gokarna - Jog Falls - Murudeshwara. The journeys between these points are very small, for several hours. Therefore, this route is suitable for those who have a short vacation in India.

Mirjan Fort

How to get there: the nearest fort to Gokarna is located 12 km in a straight line from it, the detour will take a little longer. The ride is perfect for a daytime bike ride. You can also take a regular bus, telling the conductor where you need to.

The fort itself is not very large, but rather well preserved. The building was erected at the beginning of the 17th century, Portuguese and Islamic styles can be traced in its architecture. There is a Catholic church and an old cemetery next to the fort.

Fort Mirzhan looks especially beautiful during the rainy season and immediately after it, then it is covered with bright green vegetation, as if soft moss.

It works from morning until 17:00.

Murudeshwara

V 55 km from Gokarna is the small village of Murudeshwara, familiar to everyone thanks to the huge 37-meter statue of Shiva (Murudeshwara Temple). Goan travel agencies willingly include it in their excursions, often combining it with Gokarna.

If you wish, you can stay here for the night in the nearest guesthouses. Tourists are interested in the complex itself, consisting of a gopuram (temple tower) 78 meters high, a statue of Shiva and a temple. The tower has an elevator that takes you to the top floor and enjoys the view. Inside the complex, under Shiva himself, there is a museum with a gallery of sculptures that depict the brightest paintings of the Mahabharata (Indian epic). By the way, the complex itself is a remake, it was rebuilt in 2002, but the temple inside is quite old.

How to get there: by regular bus to "Murdeshwar bass stand", no more transport is needed - the sights of Murudeshwar are located in a busy place near the traffic intersection.

Jog Falls

This is the tallest waterfall in India (height - 253 m)! Do not miss the chance to see this beauty. Like all waterfalls, Jog Falls is most beautiful during the rainy season or immediately after. But at this time in India there are few European tourists. I have been to the waterfall twice: in January and February, the view was very impressive.

There is a good observation deck upstairs from which you can enjoy the view of the waterfall. But the most interesting thing awaits below. 1,200 steps lead to the foot of the waterfall and the lake below it. You can swim in it, but you need to do it very carefully: you can fall through the huge boulders.

How to get there: we drove from Gokarna to the waterfalls by taxi; we took the car from one of the travel offices on the main street.

Mohini Shikara

This is a natural monument, consisting of high unusual rocks and another route option for travelers on bikes.

The rocks themselves are very beautiful and high; I have never seen such landscapes anywhere in India.

How to get there: public transport will not be so easy. The nearest town is Yana, from there you can get to the rocks by taxi or take trekking.

Food. What to try

Most of the local cafes in Gokarna are vegetarian. They have a standard set of Indian dishes:

This is quite enough to live and eat comfortably. Food in local cafes is very cheap. 1.5 USD (100 INR) can be full of food.

I was most impressed by the huge selection of freshly squeezed juices at ridiculous prices, all 2-3 times cheaper than Goan Juice Centers. Juice prices start at 0.3 USD (20 INR) per glass.

On the beaches, the choice of tourist food is much greater. The Italians who vacationed here earlier brought the culture of eating pizza and pasta, the Israelis - falafel and hummus. Here you can also find chicken and fish dishes. In the nearest shops and markets you can buy all the necessary products: bread, milk, eggs, snacks.

Budget

1. Pai Restaurant,
2. Mantra Cafe,
3. Maitreyee juice center,
4. Namaste Cafe,
5. Prakruti Cafe.

Middle level

1. Prema,
2. Cafe 1987,
3. Little Paradise inn,
4. Chez Christophe,
5. Flower garden restaurant.

Expensive

Gokarna is definitely not the place to find expensive international restaurants. Most of the cafes are designed for Indian unassuming tourists.

Holidays

Maha Shivaratri

The main holiday of Gokarna is translated as “the great night of Shiva”. Festival dates for the following years:

• 2017 - from 24 to 25 February,
• 2018 - from 13 to 14 February,
• 2019 - from 4 to 5 March,
• 2020 - from 21 to 22 February,
• 2021 - from 11 to 12 March,
• 2022 - from 1 to 2 March,
• 2023 - from 18 to 19 February.

It is one of the most revered festivals in Hinduism, the main holiday for Shaivists, and it is also celebrated by yogis, tantrikas and other seekers of spirituality. It is believed that meditation on Shiva's night has a power several times superior to ordinary ones. Hindus on the eve of fasting, performing pujas (temple and household rituals), pray. Pilgrims from all over India come to Gokarna, but most of them, of course, are in. They bathe in the Kotirhe lake, washing away all sins from themselves.

Finding accommodation in Gokarna on Maha Shivaratri is very difficult, guesthouses are packed, so try to book rooms in advance. By the way, if on ordinary days the doors of many temples are closed to foreigners, on Maha Shivaratri you can get inside any (however, the queues will be several times longer than usual).

At any time, on the main street of Gokarna, near the Mahableshwar temple, you will see a huge wooden chariot. These can be found in many cities in India. On major religious holidays, the chariot is set in motion by several dozen people. She drives through the streets of the city, a statue or image of a deity is placed inside. Thousands of believers line up along the road to view and touch the shrine.

Security. What to watch out for

Rest in Gokarna is quite safe and calm. There are no parties until the morning with alcohol, so there is much less inadequate audience. Nevertheless, it is worth observing basic safety rules everywhere:

1. In Gokarna itself, tourists should observe the dress code. It is a sacred city where it is not customary to wear open clothes. Men should walk with a closed torso, and girls should cover their legs. It is not necessary to wear a skirt up to the toes, but leave a bare belly and micro-shorts for Goa. You can walk on the beach as you like.
2. Bring your own padlock from home if you are going to live in the beach huts. It will come in handy on all your travels in India. It is better to hang your strong lock on the front door.
3. Do not walk on the rocks after sunset. All walks between the beaches are best done during the day. These walks can be unsafe after sunset. The road is already quite difficult, do not look for unnecessary adventures.

Things to do

In Gokarna, you need to walk and bask on the beach! This is the main local leisure activity. Sometimes advertisements for yoga or Sanskrit lessons can be found on poles in the village. Only the teacher will tell you about the price and time of classes. In general, many yogis rest in Gokarna who practice on their own right on the beach, so the chances of finding like-minded people are great.

Shopping and shops

Gokarna is not the best place to shop, but you can find a few things here. Gradually, the range of tourist goods is expanding, and here you can easily buy things that are sold in Goa. Basically, these are all the same consumer goods: cheap cotton outfits that will die after the first wash, bags, backpacks.

Gokarna's main street is beginning to resemble Goa, with the same assortment of goods. And the prices are almost the same. A skirt or alibaba pants can be purchased for 3-4.6 USD (200-300 INR). In the center, not far from the bass stand, there is a grocery market, a little on the other side - a fish market, which is open in the morning.

There are no specialized markets or, moreover, shops with clothes or souvenirs in Gokarna. The nearest shopping can be found in Goa, Bangalore, Mysore.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

As souvenirs, you can choose goods of a religious theme, there are no problems with this in Gokarna.

Bracelets, images and figurines of Indian gods and other paraphernalia are sold near any temple. Product prices start at 0.15 USD (10 INR).

How to get around the city

The easiest way to get around the city is on foot. There are such short distances that you can walk the entire Gokarna in an hour. Even the beaches can be reached on foot.

Taxi. What features exist

Auto rickshaws ride around the city. This transport is convenient to use when traveling from Gokarna to the beaches. The cost of the trip will average 1.5-3 USD (100-200 INR), depending on the distance of the beach.

Buses

The central bus station is in the city center. Buses from Gokarna can reach any part of India, but be prepared for a large number of transfers. There is simply nowhere to go by bus around the city.

For any questions, please contact the conductor, he will show you the desired stop and suggest the route. To pay him the same fare on the bus.

Transport rental

Bike

You can rent a bike in Gokran. They do not give up on every corner, as in Goa, but it is possible to find them. Ask in travel offices, your guesthouse owner or taxi drivers. None of the documents are required to rent a bike.

Prices don't bite at all - on average 4.6 USD (300 INR) per scooter per day.

Auto

In travel offices, you can also rent a car with a driver for long trips, for example, to Jog Falls or Murudeshwara. The most common option is Suzuki.

Here the price depends on the route and your bargaining skills.

Gokarna - holidays with children

Many come to Gokarna with children both for a long time and for several days. The calm sea, fresh fruits, peace and quiet are conducive to rest with kids.

The most important thing is to get there in comfort and find good accommodation. Choose a sleeper bass or a taxi: the fewer connections, the better. Accommodation will have to be chosen closer to the beach, so as not to go swimming every day on foot. In all other respects, Gokarna disposes to children's rest, many mothers move here after noisy Goa.

Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

One of the most popular travel destinations from Goa and Kerala is Gokarna, Karnataka state. And not surprising, because Karnataka is located just between the two most popular beach areas in India and boasts equally beautiful beaches and a very peculiar relaxed atmosphere.

How to get to Gokarna

From Kerala

We drove to Gokarna from Varkala, so on our beloved Cleartrip(by the way, do not forget to download mobile app, it greatly facilitates movement in India) bought.

Directly next to Gokarna there are two stations and. But we could not find at least one train that stops there.

The easiest way to get from Kerala (,) to Gokarna is by train 16346 NETRAVATHI EXPRESS... But the stops closest to Gokarna are this - here he arrives about 3:30 morning, if it goes on time, and - here the train arrives at 4:50 in the morning, again, if it goes on schedule. Goarna can be easily reached by bus from any of these stations. By the way, the travel time from Varkala to Gokarna is about 18 hours.

In Kumta, the nearest bus station is, one might say, within walking distance, but given the time of arrival of the train, the bus will have to wait a long time. A taxi from Kumta to Gokarna will cost about 700 rupees.

In Karvar, the bus station is approximately 15 minutes driving from the railway, travel by tuk-tuk will cost 120 rupees... There may not be direct buses to Gokarna in the morning, so you will have to go with transfers:

• Karwar - Ancola (travel time approx. 45 minutes, fare 33 rupees for one);
• Ankola - Gokarna (travel time is also about 45 minutes, 25 rupees for one).

From Goa

Getting to Gokarna from Goa is a little easier and faster:

1. Local Bus (Local bass or, in Russian, local buses)

This is perhaps the most affordable way to get from Goa to Gokarna. Direct message Goa - Gokarna the locals have no bass and will have to make 4-6 transfers. The route is something like this:

• We get to Mapusa if you live in North Goa;
• Mapusa - Panaji;
• Panaji - Margao;
• Margao - Karwar.

And from Karvar we get there in the same way as described above: Karwar - Ancola - Gokarna... There is another option to find a bus Pananji - Ancola, but this is a very rare animal and you need to adjust to its schedule. So, perhaps, the option with a large number of transfers will actually be faster.

If you live in South Goa, then you are more fortunate, as there is a direct bus Palolem - Karwar which means speeds up the movement from Goa to Gokarna.

2. Train

The most suitable option is a train 12619 MATSYAGADHA EXPRESS... And, lo and behold, it stops just at Gokarna road, though you will have to sit on it in Margao. Ride total 1,5 hour, so you can take a sleeper class without fear. You can read about what kind of animal such a "sleeper" is in the post.

3. Car or bike

Rent a car (from 1200 rupees per day) or a bike and drive yourself. When renting a vehicle, you need to know one very important thing related to the color of the numbers. In India, license plates on vehicles can be divided into two large groups: white (black inscriptions on a white background) and yellow (yellow inscriptions on a black background). So, the white numbers show that the transport is intended for private use by local people and cannot be rented. This, of course, is hammered by everyone, except for the brave servants of the transport police. In our first season in Goa, we also filmed a bike with white numbers and got acquainted with.

A couple of times we also had to get to know law enforcement officers. We were wearing helmets, with an open category "A", but on white numbers. Police officers nicely report that they understand that we are not guilty, but we have to pay, at least not an official fine, but Rs 200-300. Moreover, they even agree to call the owner of the bike and agree with him the amount of "penalties", and upon returning the owner will return everything to you. Have you ever seen a Hindu who voluntarily returns money? That's the same!

The yellow numbers are just for rent, but ... A rented vehicle with yellow numbers cannot be driven out of state. This is the Indian logic. You can rent and use, but only within the state.

4. Taxi

Where to live in Gokarna

Gokarna has three main beaches ( Main beach, Kudley Beach and Om Beach) most of the guest houses and hotels are located on them. On Booking.com, the choice of accommodation in Gokarna leaves much to be desired, so the only way to find decent accommodation is to walk on your feet, go to all guest houses, look and ask for prices. I must say right away that the price tag for housing in Gokarna is mostly inadequate. For a crumbling hut without hot water and the Internet they ask 1500 rupees per night and they also say it's cheap.

We ended up in Gokarna at the very beginning of the season and after examining all the available offers, we decided to stay at Kudley Beach in an institution called. Quite lovely spacious houses. On the territory there is Wi-Fi, although the Internet is not always present in it. With the same story.

The Internet in Gokarna is generally a sore subject, but about it a little later. In theory, there is hot water, but, apparently, it only becomes hot when the sun is baking with might and main, otherwise even something remotely resembling warm tap water could not be achieved.

There is a cafe on the territory where they cook slowly, this is the norm for India, with the exception of Varkala, but delicious. The truth is "tasty" applies only to Asian and Indian cuisine, European food is very mediocre, however, as in many other establishments of Gokarna.

We paid for a cabin in Kudle Ocean Front 1000 rupees per day, but initially asked 2000 rupees and we bargained long and hard.

If you want to live away from the Kudley Beach movement, then you can stay at Main Beach. We lived the first night. Quite a simple and ascetic house. Price from 400 rupees per night.

The manager of this place is Maxim, and this is not an interpretation of the Indian name. He will competently give advice to a seasoned person on Gokarna, guide you where to go, what to watch, where to eat. For which many thanks to him.

Bike rental in Gokarna

There are quite a few rental offices in Gokarna, but the condition of the bikes for rent leaves much to be desired. Before deciding to rent a bike, we recommend that you test it, ride it, check the brakes, wheels, etc. Many rental bikes do not have one or both mirrors, finding a bike with both mirrors is a challenge ☺.

Original price - 600 rupees per day, this is how much bikes are rented by visiting tourists from Bangalore, absolutely not bargaining. The normal price is about 300 rupees per day.

We shot the bike in and are basically satisfied. By the way, here you can pay for a bike with a card without any additional commissions, which is also very convenient, given that there are certain problems with receiving cash in Gokarna.

ATMs in Gokarna

There are ATMs in Gokarna, but for some reason we were unable to withdraw money from any of them. We took off the money in the end in Kumta, absolutely no problem, but you can't go to Kumta. Therefore, provide yourself in advance with the necessary amount of cash in rupees or dollars (currency exchange in Gokarna is full).

Internet in Gokarna

The Internet in Gokarna turned out to be an "Achilles' heel" for us. There are too few guest houses and cafes with a decent stable signal. It seems like at the height of the season their number increases, but somehow this is doubtful.

Throughout our travels in India, we have always been rescued by the mobile Internet from Gio. But in Gokarna, he also began to split off tricks: I work here, I don't work here, but here I generally go to reboot. So Gokarna is not a very suitable place for those people who need the Internet to work. And if you just surf on social networks, it's ok.

Gokarna beaches

In Gokarna, there are three, shall we say, main beaches and several additional ones, for whom the first was not enough. Each of them has its own feature and its own characteristics. I'll tell you briefly about each of them, starting from the north and moving gradually to the south.

Main Beach (main, main beach) in Gokarna

Is the northernmost beach of Gokarna. Kilometers and kilometers of sand. At the beginning of the season Main beach Is the most secluded place you can imagine.

For a few hours of unhurried walk, you can meet about 10 fishermen and at most a couple of tourists. I suspect that this situation is not very typical for the high season, but in the low it was that way.

Where to stay in Gokarna on Main Beach

On Main Beach in Gokarna, we liked the guest house. But when we were there, the construction of the new building was in full swing, so we could not count on peace and quiet because of the constant shouts of the builders.

But the rooms are very spacious and well-maintained. True, there is no internet, but he catches Gio with varying success.

If you want something more calm, cheap and ascetic, then you can choose the houses where we stayed on the first night. We wrote about them above.

Where to eat on Main Beach in Gokarna

I must say right away that we did not go well with food in Gokarna, especially in contrast to the wonderful ones. On Main Beach, we ate in two places: Namaste samudra and in Prema... I'll tell you about them:

Cafe at Namaste Samudra

An ordinary cafe, where they prepare good breakfasts, quite tasty juices.

It is difficult to say that the food here is really tasty, it is normal, nothing more, but better than in many other places in Gokarna. The price tag is average.

Prema

Prema considered the iconic restaurant of Gokarna. People meet here, share their impressions. Local people come here, but in much smaller numbers than visiting tourists.

The reason for such popularity is difficult to understand. The food is very strong so so. I was especially "pleased" with the Jewish salad, which is a large plate of grated vegetables. Salad price - 170 rupees, which, you see, is not a little for India. And to get a dressing for grated vegetables, you need to pay at least another 30 rupees.

This is really a Jewish salad, may the representatives of this ancient nation forgive me. The only thing I liked about Prem was the juices. Freshly squeezed juices are more of a thick fruit soup than juice. Tasty and healthy!

What to do on Main Beach in Gokarna

Besides swimming in the sea, Main beach It is also attractive because, in fact, on it (more precisely, in the immediate vicinity of one of its sites) the main attractions of the sacred Gokarna are located.

Indeed, for every Shivaite, Gokarna is not so much a place for a beach holiday, it is a sacred place, because according to legend, it was here that one of the most revered gods, Shiva, was born from the ear of a cow. It was this legend that gave the name to the city of Gokarna, translated from Sanskrit "Go" is "cow", "karna" - "ear".

Mahabaleshwar Shiva Temple

The main attraction of Gokarna is the ancient Mahabaleshwar Shiva Temple, which in translation means "great power", and the strength is not simple, but the most, as they say, male.

V Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna the most important Shivalingam is stored, and if in simple terms, then the genital organ of Shiva. According to local beliefs, the lingam from Mahabaleshwar is more than one and a half million years old and is considered almost the most ancient Shivalingam.

But if you are not a Shivaite or at least not an Indian, then you will not be able to touch the ancient lingam, foreigners are strictly prohibited from entering the lingam. You can go to the temple itself, but not to the inner part, where the Shivalingam is kept.

Near Mahabaleshwar Temple you can see wooden chariots called Ratha Yatra- the chariots of Shiva, on which he performed all his feats. They are also considered sacred, on holidays on these chariots they take out the Gods, or rather idols. Chariots are usually pushed by a fairly large number of people, in addition, not a small number of people die or are crippled under their wheels - in a fit of religious ecstasy, fanatics throw themselves under the wheels of these machines, hoping in this way to leave this life.

Holy Lake Koti Teertha

According to one of the legends lake (pond) Koti Tirtha and there is that very "ear of a cow" from which "the land of Gokarna went".

Name Koti Tirtha translated from Sanskrit, as "reservoir of a thousand holy sources." This reservoir attracts thousands of pilgrims who want to bathe in it and be cleansed of their sins.

On the shore of the lake there are plaques telling that the lake is very deep, there are crocodiles in it and people drown here every year. I don’t know how deep it is here and whether crocodiles are found here, I strongly doubt it, but I don’t even want to get too close to the lake, let alone climb into the water. But this is for me, and for others it is even ok.

Unfortunately, the pond itself does not benefit from such popularity, and it looks more like a gutter than an object of religious worship. At least we didn’t want to plunge into it from the word “at all”.

Rama Teertha Temple

If you walk to the side Kudley Beach then you can find a small temple and a spring.

I do not advise you to do this on Sunday, when the spring is literally "captured" by Indian pilgrim tourists who do not just bathe here, but perform a complete washing and laundry program.

But personally, we liked the natural beauty of Gokarna more than all the temples and religious sites, to which we didn’t try, but couldn’t feel the spiritual trepidation.

Ruins of Jatayu Teertha

One of the striking natural attractions of Gokarna is the hill, yes, a simple volcanic hill, which is separated by Main beach and Kudley Beach... This hill offers absolutely fabulous sea views:

Here you can find strange signs made of stones. True, there is an opinion that these are not just stones, but the ruins of some ancient Hindu temple, whose history goes back as far as the ancient Indian epic "Ramayana".

But we failed to somehow confirm and clarify this information. Therefore, while otherwise unsaid, we will consider this as strange symbols from stones ☺.

It is very pleasant to just walk and enjoy such a rare solitude in Gokarna.

It was on us that we lived most of our stay in Gokarna. Kudley Beach is not a very large, but rather picturesque bay, surrounded by hills of volcanic origin.

Kudley Beach quite popular with locals for weekend getaways, especially for youth groups who are more interested in getting drunk than praising Shiva ... if you know what I mean.

How to get to Kudley Beach in Gokarna

There are three roads to Kudley Beach. The first one will lead you directly to the hotel, but its quality leaves much to be desired, especially after the rain. Jeeps and even some brave tuk-tukers can freely ride on it, but we did not dare to meddle with it on a bike or scooter. Better to take a different route. Of course, you have to walk a little, but you will be more whole. And in general, walks in the fresh air are good for the body ☺.

The second road runs from the temple in Gokarna. To get on it, you need to slip into an at first glance, imperceptible passage and desperately honk, so that you are not accidentally hit by someone oncoming. The first part of the road is very narrow, the bike and the tuk-tuk can hardly pass, and the car, in general, will not pass there. Then there is a normal, in places broken-down road just past the hill that I wrote about above.

When you reach it, you leave your iron monster and go down the stairs. A couple of minutes and you're already there Kudley Beach... If you go by tuk-tuk, then travel to Kudley Beach from Gokarna Center should not cost more 80 rupees.

The third road runs between Kudley Beach and Om Beach. You need to get to this one, and from there walk down the steps.

Where to stay in Gokarna on Kudley Beach

As I said above, on Kudley Beach we lived at Kudle Ocean Front. Quite nice houses if you don't stay there for a long time. For a couple of days or a week more than ok, especially if the period of your stay there does not coincide with some Indian holidays, which is unlikely ☺.

If you want to stay on Kudley Beach for a longer period, it is better to look for something quieter. Although Kudle Ocean Front has its undeniable advantages - a very tasty restaurant, spacious houses, polite staff, location and the ability to pay by card. True, when paying by card, they take a horse commission - 12% , but given that the prices in the cafe are lower than the average for Kudley Beach, then the commission is actually leveled.

Where to eat at Kudley Beach in Gokarna

This is a very, very difficult question, since we never managed to find a truly tasty place. I'll tell you about two of our favorites:

Kudle Ocean Front Restaurant

Indian and Asian cuisine is excellent here, especially in terms of price-performance ratio. With European dishes, everything is not so rosy, but quite acceptable.

If you live in Kudle Ocean Front, then the order can be brought directly to the balcony, which is also pleasing.

La Pizzeria

I'll make a reservation right away that on Kudley Beach there are several establishments with the same or very similar names. This post is about La Pizzeria, which is located directly at the entrance to Kudley Beach from the Main Beach side.

Here they cook very acceptable pizza, shakshuka, delicious hummus, good tandoori dishes. But never order momo here - because they make it a terrible parody of a delicious Tibetan dish.

We were there for the first time for one simple reason: all over Kudley Beach La Pizzeria was the only place where the lights were on in the evening and music was played. In general, we noticed an interesting trick: in Gokarna, if there are no visitors, there is no light in the cafe and no music playing, it seems that it simply does not work. But if you come closer, you will immediately be offered a menu, turn on the lights and music. Here is such a strange Indian marketing.

By the way, if for you the words "Bom Bolenat!" - these are not just words, then you are in a cafe. All other establishments on Kudley Beach practically nothing, even the menus, are no different. And all are equally none.

What to do at Kudley Beach in Gokarna

The main pastime on Kudley Beach Is a beach holiday. There are different types of activities: yoga, mantras, pranayama, both on the beach itself and in the depths. Very beautiful sunsets can be observed from here:

Taking leisurely promenades along the edge of the sea and wondering what the cows have forgotten on the beach?

No, seriously ??? Nearby there are green hills on which grasses - I don’t want to eat, but they wander along the sandy beaches.

Om Beach in Gokarna

In the article I have already talked about the Om symbol, but I think it will not be superfluous to repeat it.

Om (sometimes the transcription "Aum" is found) is a universal divine symbol in Hinduism, at the same time Om is a divine name and mantra. The Om sign is three letter symbols that personify the three main gods and their spheres of influence: Brahma - the Creator, Vishnu - the Almighty (maintainer) and Shiva - the Destroyer.

It bears this name because the shape of its coastline resembles the outline of the sign "Om". Many do not agree with this, but in my opinion, even here you don't even have to strain your imagination - it really looks like it.

Below, from the beach itself, this is probably not so obvious, but when you look at the coast from the hills, you can clearly guess a strong resemblance to this Hindu symbol.

How to get to Om Beach in Gokarna

TO Om Beach the path is difficult and thorny, but as you wanted - a holy place after all ☺. But in reality, everything is not so scary.

If you go with Kudley Beach, then first you need to overcome a series of steps, reach, and from there follow the signs.

The road is not very difficult, but if you are going to return in the dark, it is better to wear sneakers or at least take care of a flashlight, otherwise the volcanic hills are not even and you can easily twist your leg.

If you get with Main beach on a bike, then everything is much simpler: just as mentioned above, drive into a narrow passage near the temple and go to the side Kudley Beach, pass it and follow the signs until you reach, and from it you just go down the steps.

By the way, on the very descent to Om Beach there is perhaps the best place to watch the sunset. I do not know why in this particular place, but here they seemed to us just bombic.

Where to stay in Gokarna on Om Beach

We were not looking for housing options on the beach itself, since by this time we had already found housing on Kudley Beach. Booking.com, in general, shows only one hotel on Om Beach, it is better not to think about the prices in it, so as not to lose a healthy sleep ☺.

Where to eat on Om Beach in Gokarna

This is again a very controversial question. We went to a cafe several times. And in principle, we can say that the food there is delicious, at least definitely tastier than anywhere else on Kudley Beach.

But at the same time, if we take the price-quality ratio, then somehow questions immediately arise. The prices in the menu are indicated without tax, and the tax is now 18% , and after you add them, you begin to understand that for this money I would like to get something more. But in general, very decent and popular on Om Beach institution.

And also their kitchen works strictly by the clock: breakfast, lunch and dinner. In between, the kitchen is closed, you can enter the establishment, but the maximum that you can get is some packaged drink, and it’s not a fact that you will not be asked to wait for the opening of the kitchen ☺.

What to do on Om Beach in Gokarna

Besides enjoying a beach holiday, Om Beach is ideal for contemplative practices. There are plenty of comfortable benches all over the beach where you can relax, sit in the shade or watch the sunset.
Is a separate topic. In my opinion, the most beautiful sunsets in Gokarna are observed from Om Beach.

Same with Om Beach the trekking trail starts to the two southern beaches of Gokarna. Do not try to go there in flip flops - you can be left without a slap and without legs at the same time, it is better to choose sneakers, sneakers or other comfortable non-slip shoes. And do not forget to bring water and sunscreen, as there is a risk of acne or heatstroke.

If you do not want to perform feats and go on foot, you can go to the distant beaches by boat. An hour-long boat trip with a stop at one of the beaches is worth 250 rupees per person (post-bargaining price, original bid was 500 rupees). For a boat trip, it is better to choose a day when the sea is calmer, and it is better to choose a boat with a sharp nose, and not a flat one. I don’t know how to explain this exactly, because I’m not an expert on boat models, so I’ll try with an example:

When we went on a little sea voyage, we boarded the first boat offered, and it turned out to be a flat-bottomed boat. On the way there everything was super!

But on the way back, the sea began to play naughty and waves rose, not very strong, but still. I generally have a difficult relationship with the waves after. Because of the flat bottom, our vessel could not “cut” the waves, instead it “scooped up” them. All passengers, including their equipment, money and documents (who had what with them), all the way back took an invigorating shower of salt waves.

We dangled quite a bit from side to side and in general there was a feeling that we would be swimming to the shore, since the waves had quite strong resistance and we could not move anywhere from time to time, just hovering in one place. At the same time, the happy passengers of boats with a sharp nose, such as fishing boats, calmly continued their journey without experiencing any particular discomfort.

Halfmoon beach in Gokarna

This is a very tiny cove. You can get here either by boat or by trail from Om Beach.

The beach itself did not seem very unique to us, but the views from the path leading to it are striking in their beauty.

Gokarna is an ideal place for spiritual development and second popularity after Hampi. The village was founded in the fifteenth century, and many tourists still come here to make a pilgrimage and cleanse themselves from sins in the sacred reservoir of Kotiirt. Among modern travelers, the village is famous for its beaches and religious monuments. Spontaneous parties with drums and dancing around the fire are often organized on the beaches.
If you want to go to religious monuments, you should know in advance that foreigners are often not allowed into churches, and in this case it is worth paying tribute to the culture. It's best not to walk around town in the outfits you wear to the beach. You will be lucky if you get to Gokarna on Shivaratri holiday- Shiva's birthday, which is usually celebrated on the February full moon. On this day, in the streets of the village, the Brahmins carry a sacred fire between processions with wooden chariots.

Gokarna beaches

Gokarna has several magnificent sandy beaches, which are often visited by tourists from Goa. The most popular of these are the beach Kudle beach, Crescent Beach (Half-Moon Beach, Half Moon Beach), Paradise Beach (Paradise Beach) and Om Beach... All of these beaches are practically deserted and are perfect for a secluded getaway.

Book an excursion to Gokarna online!

Gokarna location on the map

How to get to Gokarna from Goa

You can get to Gokarna by intercity bus, which departs from the city of Morgao. The bus takes about 4 hours depending on the traffic situation. The ticket price is 65 rupees.

Gokarna is a small village in the state of Karnataka near Goa. This is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, there are many Hindu temples, and if you believe the legend, it was in this place that Shiva was born from the ear of a cow. Translated from Sanskrit "gokarna" means "cow's ear".

Gokarna has many beautiful beaches and other natural attractions, it is quiet and peaceful here, and tourists from Goa love to come here to take a break from parties and in search of a real authentic India.

Keep in mind that if you applied for a visa at the border - TLF (Temporary Landing Facility) / TLP (Temporary Landing Permit) upon arrival at Dabolim airport, then traveling between states without a passport can be problematic.

How to get there

From Goa

Most tourists come to Gokarna from Goa. From the Margao bus station, a bus leaves once a day, on the way 4 hours, the fare is from 116 INR. You can also get there by train, it's faster - there is a train that leaves at noon, it takes two hours (the fare is from 170 INR), and another train that leaves at 14:30 and goes to Gokarna for 1.5 hours. Prices on the page are for April 2019.

In addition to these direct trains, you can take trains to Mangalore or Cochin. The fastest way to get from Goa is to take a train to Kumta or Ankola, from where you can take a bus to Gokarna or a rickshaw (150 INR).

From Karnataka

The largest airport in Karnataka is Bangalore Airport. There are no direct flights from Russia to Bangalore, so you will have to fly through Delhi. Gokarna is about 450 km from here, first you need to get to the city bus station (shuttles go there around the clock - about INR 180 per passenger), and quite comfortable sleeper buses (buses with berths) go from Bangalore to Gokarna. You will have to spend the night on the way, the fare is about 500 INR.

You should be prepared for the fact that, as elsewhere in India, the schedule in Margao is quite often followed approximately.

Find flights to Gokarna

Weather in Gokarna

It is best to go to Gokarna from late October to early March. At this time, the weather is dry, sunny and calm, and at the beginning of November the colorful festival "Diwali" (one of the main Hindu holidays) is also taking place, and life begins to seethe. Air temperature - +27 ... + 29 ° С.

In April, the heat and the rainy season begin, the humid air warms up to +31 ... + 33 ° С. In June, strong waves in the Arabian Sea are added to this heat, but surfers don't come here - it's too stuffy.

Gokarna Hotels

In Gokarna, you can live right on the beach or in the village. Distances here are quite short, so even living in a village, the beach can be reached in a few minutes by bike or rickshaw for about 100 INR. In the village, the main tourist accommodation is a room in a guesthouse. Most often these are residential houses of ordinary Indian families who rent out temporarily empty rooms to tourists. It is usually quite clean, comfortable, home comforts, and also an opportunity to see the non-tourist Gokarna.

Accommodation on the beach is 20-30% more expensive than in the countryside. Basically, they offer bamboo beach houses with an outdoor toilet, but there are also more comfortable options - concrete bungalows with amenities inside. Accommodation booking sites on request "Gokarna" give out few options - mostly expensive hotels (there are not many of them here) and only a few guesthouses. There will be much more choice on the spot, but it is worth remembering that Gokarna is more a place for unassuming tourists.

A room in the village can be found for 100-200 INR per day, for this money you will get a very ascetic room and not the fact that it is clean. Prices for more comfortable options with a fan and shower in the room start at INR 400.

A palm tree bungalow on the beach with outdoor amenities will cost from 300 INR per day for two, a concrete bungalow with a personal shower - from 600 INR. A room in a 3 * hotel costs INR 2000-3000, a room in the most luxurious hotel in the Kahani Paradise resort will cost at least INR 12,000 per day for a double room. For this money, you get a huge room with a seating area, a balcony or terrace overlooking the sea, and a continental breakfast.

Gokarna beaches

There are several beaches in Gokarna, each with its own characteristics.

Central Beach - Gokarna Beach- wide, sandy, popular with locals. It is rather dirty, and it is not particularly comfortable to swim there, as it is not customary to undress here either. Pilgrims usually come here - men sit in the water right in their clothes, women are also dressed and stand knee-deep in water, only children run naked. You can swim here only in the northern part of the beach, where there are no people; you can get there on foot or by boat for about INR 100.

Closest to Gokarna village - Kudley Beach, it is here that most tourists settle. Here you can already undress, swim, sunbathe, there is a cafe on the shore (for example, pizzerias - this place is loved by Italians). Between Kudley and Gokarna Beach, there is a very beautiful promontory with red soil.

20 minutes from Coolley Beach is located Om Beach, it got its name because of the shape of the coastline - it resembles the sign of Om. This is also a pretty sandy and uncrowded beach with beautiful bays. Om Beach is a half hour walk to Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach.

It is not so easy to get to the "Paradise Beach": you can take a boat or take a bus from Gokarna and for 10 INR get to the terminal station, then through the jungle (it is better to use the services of a guide).

Paradise Beach lives up to its name - especially when looking at the lagoon from above. At the same time, there are a couple of cafes and houses made of reed and palm leaves, which are rented to tourists. And here you can sunbathe topless and even naked - if you make your way into the lagoon on the left, while no one has occupied it. Finally, Paradise Beach is also the most popular beach with party-goers and hosts many beach parties. It is especially fun here on the full moon night - you can get to a real Sabbath. However, there is no special infrastructure on the beach - a maximum of a couple of cafes, several fruit stands and free books that were left here by previous guests.

Shopping in Gokarna

There are several streets in Gokarna, along the central one there is a bazaar. You can buy clothes there, but it will be mostly cheap consumer goods, although made of natural fabrics - enough for the season. At the same bazaar you can buy souvenirs, postcards, fruits and vegetables. On Thursdays, a large fruit and vegetable market opens near the exit from the city.

If you need quality clothes, it is better to go to Goa for it - there is a much more interesting selection of clothes in the national style, dresses, tunics, T-shirts and stoles made of natural cotton, silk and cashmere.

There is one ATM in Gokarna on the way from the bus station to the main street. It may not accept cards from some banks, so it is better to withdraw cash in advance.

Cuisine and restaurants

There are many cafes for locals in the village - here they are called dhabbs. The cuisine is mostly vegetarian, but even meat-eaters usually do not complain about the monotony. A full two to three course lunch with a drink is available for INR 100-150.

There are much fewer catering establishments on the beaches, with the exception of Kudley Beach, which was chosen by Italians a few years ago and supply everyone with pizza (the price of a large pizza for two is about 200 INR). In the few cafes on the beaches, you can find European cuisine and Indian, adapted for Europeans. Prices here are 2-3 times higher than in the village, you can dine at about INR 300 per person.

Gokarna is a sacred city, with alcohol it is difficult here. The maximum that you can count on is beer from under the floor, 3 times more expensive than in neighboring Goa.

Entertainment and attractions of Gokarna

Gokarna is a city of pilgrims with many temples. One of the most important for Hindus is the Mahabaleshwar Shiva Temple, which houses the oldest Shiva lingam - the male sexual organ of this deity, which symbolizes his remarkable strength. Only Hindus have the right to look at the lingam, but tourists are not prohibited from entering the temple itself.

There is another one nearby - the Ganapati temple. It was built in honor of the god Ganesh, and here wisdom is worshiped and prosperity is asked.

The Rama Temple is located on the mountain, on the left side of Gokarna Beach. It is known for the fact that there is a source of holy water here, and in the vicinity you can meet many Hindus who wash and wash with this water.

Natural attractions

The rectangular lake Kotiirtha is considered sacred here and is called by the people "Small Ganges". One of the legends says that water was brought into the lake from the Ganges, another - that Shiva was born here, and the lake is the very ear of a cow. A bath in Lake Kotirha washes away all sins, so in the morning pilgrims from all over the country rush here to swim in the local waters among the lotuses. Warning signs by the lake say that in addition to lotuses, there are also crocodiles, but no one has seen them live for a long time.

Adi-Gokarna Cave is another sacred site in Gokarna. This is another place that is called the very cow's ear. This is a small stone structure, to which numerous pilgrims have trod the path. Locals believe that if you go down into the cave, then grace and harmony will soon descend on you. Foreigners are not allowed to enter the cave, but no one checks their passports, and this is not at all difficult to do in a crowd of pilgrims.