With its narrow streets, traditional houses, and temples, the nondescript town of Gokarna has become the favourite haunt of Hindu pilgrims, Sanskrit scholars, and beach buffs. Locals believe that Gokarna derives its name from a legend in which Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow. Literally meaning ‘cow’s ear,’ this village is formed by the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers. Adventurous travellers must be prepared for a bit of cliffscrambling in this coastal town. Om beach, one of Gokarna’s five famed beaches, takes the shape of an ‘Om,’ a spiritual symbol. The other beaches, wedged between gigantic cliffs that protrude like delicate fingers into the sea, are Gokarna, Kudle, Half Moon, and Paradise. The drive up the winding path that leads to Gokarna is a scenic delight with rocky mountains and the Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Here, you can experience the famed Karnataka hospitality in friendly guesthouses run by local families.
Places to see:
Mahaballeswara Temple 
This Siva temple is said to be next in sanctity only to the Vishwanath Siva Temple in Varanasi. It is often called the Kashi of the South. Hindus come here to perform the death rites for departed ancestors.
According to the Gokarna Purana, “By mere entrance into this Ksetra (holy place), one becomes liberated from hundreds of sins, including even brahmahatya (the killing of a Brahmin).” Moreover, it is said that one becomes free from rebirth by just looking at the Atmainga, by hearing the roar of the sea, or by taking birth in Kotitirtha.
How to reach there?
District: Uttara Kannada
Karwar – 60km
Bangalore – 470km
Kumta – 32km
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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1 comments:
I have visited this place, really this place is awasome. This beach structure looks OHM symbol :)
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