Popular for its temples, Gorkarna is situated on the confluence of the rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini. Located 60kms from Goa in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, Gokarna is also popular among tourists for its Beaches. Known as the temple town, Gokarna is popular with Hindu Pilgrims for its Mahabaleshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Being the religious town it has many temples, some of the must visit places are Maha Ganapathi Temple, Uma Maheshwara Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Tamra Gauri Temple and Venkataramana Temple. This beautiful coastal religious town is popular for its beaches among tourists. The four beaches in Gokarna are Kudlee Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach and Om Beach. With Western Ghats on one side and the silent Arabian Sea on the other, Gokarna Beaches are known for their scenic beauty. If you are in Gokarna then do not forget to pamper yourself with Ayurvedic treatments. There are number of Ayurveda centers at Gokarna beaches where you will get out-of-the world massages and beauty treatment. Blessed with abundance of natural beauty, this small town is popular both among religious pilgrims and hedonistic holiday makers.
Route:
- By Air: The nearest airport to Gokarna beach is Dabolim airport in Goa. It is nearly 140 km away from Gokarna. Take a bus or taxi from the airport to reach Gokarna. Also from Bangalore airport which is almost 489 km from Gokarna, has buses and trains to reach Gokarna.
- By Train: Gokarna is well connected with the remaining Karanaka cities through train service. The Konkan Railway passes through Gokarna. Nearest railway station is Ankola which is about 11km away from the town. Take taxi, auto or bus outside the station to reach the beach resort.
- By Road: There are regular overnight bus services from Bangalore to Gokarna. Also from Hampi you can get direct bus for Gokarna. There are also buses from Goa for Gokarna via Karwar.
Nearest Railway Station – Ankola 11kms from the town of Gokarna.
Nearest Bus Station – KSRTC bus stand
Nearest Airport – The nearest airport is Vasco da Gama airport at Dabolim, Goa which is 140 kms away from Gokarna.
ATM locations: Karnataka Bank ATM is located at Markandeya Building Complex in Taramakki Cross Road and SBI Bank ATM is located in Hotel Sri Sairam Building in main Road of Gokarna.
Famous Places around the area: Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach, Maha Ganapati Temple, Rama temple, Mahabaleshvara Temple are some of the popular places around Gokarna beach.
Best time to visit: Best time to visit Gokarna is between September and March. The most popular time to visit Gokarna is during the 4-day Shiva Ratri festival in February-March.
Climate: Summer (24°C to 40°C); Winter (14°C to 32°C),
Population: 25851 (Census 2001)
Local Famous Foods: Gokarna will offer you delicious South Indian cuisine, along with fresh sea foods. Fried pies, spicy bhel puri and amazing tasty fried or roasted sea fishes like pomfret, kingfish will definitely satisfy your taste buds. Yummy fresh vegetarian dishes, coconut waters and delicious lassis and of course, don’t forget to try tasty banana pancakes.
Local restaurants: There are plenty local restaurants in Gokarna. Shree Shakti Restaurant at temple road, Pai Restaurant and Mahalaxmi Restaurant at main street are some of the popular eat-out places in Gokarna.
Nearest Hospitals/Nursing homes: Kumta is just 30 km away from Gokarana and there are plenty of government and private hospitals and medical centres which take care of patients carefully.
Canara Health Care Limited
Baggon Road, Kumta
Phone Number: 08386-223580
Ramaleela Hospital
Gandhi Nagar, Kumta
(08386) 220889, (08386) 222232
Samartha Shreedhar Ayurvedic Hospital,
Herwatta Road, Kumta
(08386) 224100
Budget and safe hotels for middle class:
Namaste Cafe
Near Om Beach,Gokarna
Phone Number: 08386 – 257141
Rs 1000 onwards
Om Beach Resort
Bunglow Gudde, Gokarna,
Phone Number: 08386 – 257052
Tariff: Rs 2000 onwards
Hotel Gokarna International
Main Road, Kumta Taluk,
Phone Number: 08386 – 256622
Tariff: Rs 1500/- onwards
Vaibhav Nivas,
Close to Bus stand, Gokarna,
Phone Number: 08386 – 256714
Tariff: Rs 500 onwards
Tags: beaches of India Gokarna Gokarna Beach
