Gokarna Beaches, Resorts & Accommodation
Gokarna’s main attraction is its beaches. Kudle, Om Beach, Paradise Beach, and Half Moon Beach are the promising travel spots for the travelers. Located 486 km from Northwest of Bangalore, in Karnatka(South India), Gokarna has been the hub of new hippie culture, although not as obtrusive as Goa’s Anjuna or Calungute of the 1970’s. Gokarna’s amazing maze of lanes and narrow streets are the reminders of the ancient traditions which continue till date. This street has typical pilgrimage centers flanked by Puja paraphernalia, knick knacks, souvenirs and food stuff. The Mahabaleshwar Temple ensconced with Aatma Linga is the must see sanctorum in Gokarna. The vacationers can plan to include beach hopping and a visit to this temple. The other places around Gokarna are sculptured with hillocks and sand. The Shanteri Kamakshi and Mahalsa temple are worth visiting too. October to March is the best time to visit Gokarna Beaches.
How to Reach Gokarna Beaches
Location: The holy beachside town is on the Karavali coast, 37 km from Kumta.
How to Reach Gokarna Beaches by Road: NH4 to Tumkur; NH 206 to Honnvar Via Arsikere, Shimoga, Sagar and Talguppa: NH17 to Gokarna via Kumta. KSRTC has a daily evening deluxe service from the Bangalore’s bus stand near Majestic for Gokarna.
How to Reach Gokarna Beaches by Airways: Bangalore airport is the nearest airport to Gokarna.
Where to Eat at Gokarna: If the travelers are on the beaches, they can choose from various cuisines and snacks on offer. A simple rice, dal, and vegetables lunch at the beach shacks will just cost Rs 20.
The local coastal cuisine is on offer at Hotel Gokarna International’s Down town restaurant. Vegetarian South and North Indian restaurant are on offer at the hotel’s vegetarian Purohit restaurant. if you are in the mood for some dosas or idlis, try Pai Hotel on the main road.
Around Gokarna: Kumta is a small coastal town known for its sandalwood handicrafts. After a ride you can shop for crafts, drive westwards for over 2km to the beach. Kumta beach has a unpoilt natural charm—stretch of sand and rocky hillocks. The Shanteri Kamakshi and Mahalsa temples in the town are worth a visit too. Kumta is a big transport hub. Come here for onward travel to Yaana and other places in interior Uttara Kannada.
Hotels and Restaurants in Gokarna: There are large numbers of luxury, mid segmented and budget Hotels in Gokarna Kumta’s Hotel Pandurang is a good option if Gokarna’s hotels are full up.
Additonal facts about Gokarna
Twin beauties of Yaana: From Gokarna drive to Kathkal via Mirjanu. Then, 2 km further up the hill, you will reach the Yaana cross, where you take the deviation to Yaana. Alternatively, a bus from Kumta takes on half hour journey along the ghats and stops 3km short of Yaana. The road from here is no more motorable and the trek through the wilderness can be a bit harsh, if it’s peak summer. All of a sudden, you can see the 400ft Bhairaveshvari Shikhara and the 300ft Mohini Shikhara. The incessant rains in the Western Ghats have eroded the rocks, forming a natural cave in the walls. Pilgrims worship at a cave temple here which enshrines the idol of Lord Shiva and a bronze icon of Chandika, an incarnation of goddess Durga. An annual festival during Shivaratri draws many pilgrims who circumambulate the Shikharas. A little further away from Yaana is a place called Sahasra Linga, which is a stream flowing amdist innumerable stone lingas. Just 10 km from the Yaana are the HJaschalla Falls in Mathigatta Village. Do make sure you leave Yaana in time to catch the 6 Pm bus back to Kumta.
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