Gokarna means cow’s ears in the local dialect. The place derives its name from the confluence of two rivers. Gokarna has got a higher reputation as a pilgrimage center than what it has got as a beach. This is unfair though, as the place is luring enough to be called a tourism hub. It has azure sea, neat stretch of sand and vacillating palm trees. All this makes it into the perfect sylvan hangout.
Oriented all along the Karwar coast of North Karnataka, Gokarna happens to be a one-street town mainly structured out of wooden houses. Gokarna lies close to four enamoring beaches. Kudle beach is the most famous of them all, stretching about a kilometer; its white sand and oscillating date palms evoking the pleasure of harmony. It’s a 20 minute distance from Gokarna
No month is special or more coveted for a Gokarna visitor. Yes, the general consensus is to avoid the monsoon months. The muddy terrain becomes all cluttered and messy. If you have an option to visit it anytime you like, then it is most worthy of being visited during Maha Shivratri.
Om beach resort or hotel Swaswar provides great venues for accommodation. Apart from this, there is Hotel Gokarna international which also sees to providing terrific antediluvian touch to a tourist. Mangalore happens to be the most proximal airport. Konkan railways pass through Gokarna frequently. Even by road, it is attached to nearby Karwar and Mangalore. Bangalore is relatively close too.
Gokarna can be visited for many reasons. Let’s take a look at few of the facets;
Religious importance
Gokarna is a significant seat of learning Sanskrit. It is the home to Bhandikeri and Toggu math. Brahmins become able descendants to their forefathers with the deep knowledge of scriptures provided here. Hindus also prefer this place for conducting the last rite of a person.
Mahabaleshwara temple, a religious place of pan-country repute, is situated in Gokarna. This Shiva temple holds an atmalinga. The main deity here is lord Ganesha. The idol is known to be almost 1500 years old. The main idol is a stone lingam, embossed in brass and put on a coiled stone serpent. Hall floor has a sophisticated giant tortoise engraving. Other temples which are worthy of being shown patronage are
Maha Ganapathi Temple built in honour of the boy Ganapathi, who deceived the demon Ravana
Some other well known temples are Uma Maheshwari Temple, Varadraj Temple and Venkataramana Temple
Kotiteertha, a tank encompassed by temples is utilized for immersion of idols and the bathing ritual.
Shivaratri festival is celebrated with great pomp. Each year a team constructs two top-class temple chariots which are used for the purpose of Shiv Ratri. The priests chant hymns. Cavalcades of people tug on chariot ropes while the priests conduct diverse sets of ceremonies. More than 20000 pilgrims visit Gokarna during the festival.
Tourist Hub
Gokarna is also well placed as a tourist hub. Might be the tourist dimension is not as significant as religion, but it stands out on its own. To cope up with the rising tourist demands, many resorts and hotels have flocked the place. Let’s first take a look at two of the better resorts in Gokarna.
Swaswara resort- Along the coastal beach of Karnataka that is renowned for its tranquility, the Swaswara Resort spreads out as a top CGH earth resort. It is spread over 30 acres and houses 27 villas. It is built in the indigenous Konkan format and has all kinds of amenities which a contemporary tourist may demand. It provides with most releasing practices of yoga, meditation, and pranayams and has professional trainers to cater to it. The Ayurvedic centre helps the tourists find welcome solace in a host of massages and ayurvedic therapies. Om beach and Gokarna beach are proximal to the place and can be accessed through boats.
Swaswara offers top-draw cuisines. Mostly these are indigenous farm produces augmented with best seafood from the Arabian Sea.
Though monsoon might be a relatively rough time to visit Gokarna, it also gives Ayurveda-seekers the best possible chances of recuperation. Main tourist season ranges from the month of September to December. For those willing to access the place through train, the closest station is Kumta.
Om beach resort- Om beach resort has resulted from the collaboration of Jungle Lodges Pvt. Ltd. and Kairali group. It offers top of the line leisure therapies and ayurvedic packages. Ayurvedic therapies include Panchkarma therapies and oil massages. While staying in the resort you can amalgamate with the various leisure packages but at the same time you can also move out and be a little adventurous on the beach.
Tourist set-ups can be sought for packaged deals of adventure. There are the waterfalls and fun-places. Pilgrimage centers around include Mookambika, Mudareshwar, and Gokarna.
Coming from resorts to hotels, Hotel Gokarna International has developed a name for itself over the years. It binds all the aspect of modern day services with laid-back pleasures.
The hotel is a budget hotel right in the middle of the town. It is at a stone throw distance from the beach and temple. The hotel’s fortune is guided by a couple of brothers who are willing to add on to the sylvan pleasures. The clean hotel has two restaurants attached to it and deals in both kinds of food; the Vegetarian and the Non vegetarian. The hotel encompasses a large hall for conducting all kinds of functions. A charge of rupees 200 per room is levied as room service. Apart from this, there are various taxes, for instance, luxury taxes and government service taxes.
Mangalore and Bangalore to Gokarna
Gokarna is 475 km away from Bangalore and 225 km distant from Mangalore. You have to travel 170 km from Goa to reach Gokarna. If you are in Goa, you can reach Gokarna through the Dabolim airport.
Gokarna exudes in the warmth of a medium- budgeted township. Overall, there is enough which can let a tourist or a visitor enjoy the pastoral escape of this town. Even for those who are a little burnt with money, the opportunity to enjoy is quite very much there.
Gokarna Karnataka Pics
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Good One !
Resort de Swaswara is Good, starting at Rs.8900-00 per day. The architecture is marvellous, and surprisingly Cool even during the peak of summer. Landscaping is also done well. Package of 7 nights with Ayurvedic massage/treatment, food, sightseeing, meditation and Yoga session etc costs about 900 Euros per person, i guess..
For Cash starpped travellers there is the Namaste Cafe, which offers rooms at Rs.400-00 per day !
The sea is very dangerous. Not less than 20 tourists drown every year, mostly from Bangalore. See This link – http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Four+Bangalore+students+drown+at+Gokarna&artid=BCZlZrqxxMQ=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&SEO=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==
we wand to conduct ceremony in the month of august -september pl let us know the facilities available.
just inquiring what the prices for the end of October 2009 will be as i will be hoping to be traveling down with my mother and father. many thanks!
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