Beaches of Gokarna - Karnataka
'Cow's Ear''- for that's what `Gokarna' actually means - is a mundane way of describing a place as pretty as this. Named for the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers which marks Gokarna, the place is a small town, known more as a pilgrimage centre than as a beach. Which is a pity, really- because Gokarna, with its coconut palms, its blue seas and clean sands, is perfect for an idyllic vacation by the sea. Situated along the Karwar coast, in northern Karnataka, Gokarna is beach-utopia if you're looking for minimal luxury but maximum privacy, with only the sun, the surf and the seagulls for company.
A somnolent one-street town consisting almost entirely of wooden houses, Gokarna is in close proximity to four beaches. Of these, Kudle, a kilometre-long stretch of white sand fringed by palm trees, is the nearest; just about 20 minutes' walk from Gokarna. The beach is relatively flat, meaning the tide comes pretty far. This effect is most appreciated at sunset when you can walk the length of the beach in 2 inches of water. This also makes part of the beach relatively packed sand, which is great for beach soccer and cricket.
Half an hour further from Kudle is Om beach. Shaped like the Hindu spiritual symbol of Om, this is the most famous beach in Gokarna. Gokarna's two other beaches- Paradise and Half-Moon- are smaller and lesser known, but equally great for a bit of sunbathing and swimming.
All of Gokarna's beaches remain pretty empty, except for the odd `in-the-know' traveller, the hippy who's tired of Goa, or the many pilgrims who come to Gokarna for `darshan' at the Shiv Temple.
Gokarna, like nearby Udipi, is a sacred place for Hindus, who believe it to be the place where Shiva emerged from the earth after a long penance in the netherworld. The town's main shrine is the Mahabaleshwar Temple, home to a very holy lingam that was reputedly rescued by Shiva's elephant- headed son, Ganesh. |
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