Gokarna: More Than an
Extension of Goa

chillibreeze writer — Ashvini Ramesh

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Ever heard of rave or trance parties before? Reminds you of Goa? Here is another place, which has been known for not only Hippy culture but also its religious history. Gokarna is presently all over the internet with more than a bunch of travelogues. It lies on the coastal Karnataka close to Karwar, south of Goa, situated at the confluence of two rivers namely Aghanashini and Gangavali. For a long time this place has been known for Hindu pilgrims, a great majority coming here to perform death rites.

The religious history is centered on Mahabaleshwar temple, which Gokarna is most known for, and has the atmalinga, one of the ten places in India where atmalingas of Shiva exist. The temple is more than thousand years old and allows only Hindus into the premises. Though very crowded, the temple is worth a visit, and is beautiful with carvings.

For the world outside, Gokarna is more an extension of Goa. However it is still half hidden especially beaches. The hippy culture continues tourists are a regular lot and some of them staying here as long as six months!!

The famous beaches Kudle, Om, Half Moon and Paradise are such beautiful signatures of nature that anybody coming to this place would not wish to return. These names are also based on the natural shape they have acquired over the ages. The most famous of these i.e Om beach has its name due to two curved beaches roughly the shape of Om. It is very popular among both domestic and international tourists, naturally crowded.

Kudle beach is a very quiet place and one can just sit , let the hair down and watch the waves wash away to the shore ….or just lie down in the café (All cafés invariably have a place to lie down in the front yard and you have all the privacy mind you!) Evenings are filled with tranquility watching the sun set and the shore lighting up with colorful lights where cafes are located. Another sight to see on the shore are a variety of jugglers who are juggling various objects, fire vomitters, and ring dancers…you might forget where you have come from!
Half moon beach is the third one in order. Paradise is also another crowded beach with many small cottages built on cliffs.

Apart from these, there are a couple of less known beaches around the place but can be reached only by boat and have to carry supplies. Watch out! You may lose your way too.

Boats steered by friendly localites are available frequently especially during evenings. All the beaches can be visited by boat or the beach trek is for the tougher and the adventurous. Worth a try.

We can start the trek from Gokarna or Kudle which is 2 kms away. There are small pathways made my trekkers and following them can lead us to Paradise beach which is the last of the four. The best way to trek is to ask the foreigners who are more familiar with the entire terrain.

All beaches have cafes ran by localites, well versed with English and amazingly hospitable. These cafes provide shacks for tourists who come in to stay and stay on!!! They have continental in general and specifically English, German and Israeli food which are in it a specialty. The food is good but Indians would miss Indian food because Indian dishes are less than few… However, the town has authentic Indian home food to offer, but only if you can catch hold of a priestly family.

Stay in any of these shacks which are inexpensive but comfortable, and for those who love luxury and comfort, Gokarna town has many hotels. If you are a backpacker, get in one of these shacks.

Our travel to Gokarna cost us just a few bucks, but the experience brought us closer to nature and ourselves within. . .

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—About our writer: Ashvini says, "Life is full of charm, adventure and challenges. Traveling, to me has been getting closer to nature and all about discovering myself."

 

 

 

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