Best Places to Visit in Gokarna

Gokarna is a town on the Arabian Sea, in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka. A popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus, it’s known for sacred sites like Mahabaleshwar Temple, which has a shrine dedicated to the deity Shiva. Nearby, Koti Teertha is a temple tank where devotees wash in the holy waters. The town is also home to beaches such as palm-lined Gokarna, in the center, plus Kudle and Om farther south.

Gokarna Beach

Gokarna beach is amongst the popular places to visit in Gokarna for many reasons. It is the main beach that is located close to Mahabaleshwar Temple and frequented by the tourists who visit here.

Om Beach

Brace yourself for a scenic getaway with a trip to Om Beach when you are in Gokarna. One of the most picturesque attractions in Gokarna, Om Beach is known for its serene landscape. Om Beach is a wonderful respite for adventure junkies who love to exult in the thrill of various water activities. One of the most splendid features of this beach is that it is shaped like the symbol ‘Om’ and attracts scores of crowds who wish to relax and unwind.

Kudle Beach

Shaped like a perfect ‘C’, Kudle Beach is one of the most beautiful Gokarna tourist places that you’l ever come across. Flanked by coconut trees, Kudle Beach is a wonderful retreat for the lovers of peace and quiet. The sheer beauty and simplicity of the beach is a breathtaking surprise and people visit this beach to enjoy the serene surroundings. Kudle Beach is most famous for offering a spectacular sunset and sunrise in Gokarna.

Mahabaleshwara Temple

Showcasing the brilliance of the classic Dravidian architecture, Mahabaleshwara Temple is one of the must visit Gokarna tourist places. The 4th century temple in Gokarna is most famous for its Shiva Linga known as Atma Linga that is worshipped here and also known as Dakshin Kashi, often being paralleled to the Shiva Temple at Varanasi.

Half Moon Beach

Half Moon Beach is known for its clean sparkling sands against the transparent blue waters. Mostly famous for foreign travellers and backpackers, Half Moon Beach is a great place to relax and unwind. Half Moon Beach can be visited by a hike from Om Beach which is a thrilling enterprise. Away from all the crowds, this beach is a wonderful destination to indulge in some fun activities as well as indulge in enjoying some mouth-watering food available at the beach shacks nearby.

Paradise Beach

Also renowned as the Full Moon Beach, Paradise Beach is a great spot to relax away from all the civilization in the realm of nature. It a splendid place for those interested in camping and relaxing seeing the blue waves of the ocean crash against the rocks on the white sands. Swimming is one of the most surreal activities which you can indulge in after taking due precautions of safety from the strong currents of the ocean.

Mirjan Fort

Mirjan Fort is a majestic masterpiece of architecture that one can find standing gloriously on the banks of Aghanashini river. The fort has many historical events associated with it which makes it a delight for history buffs in Gokarna.

Koti Tirtha

One of the most sacred places to visit in Gokarna, Koti Tirtha is a popular man-made tank that holds great reverence among the locals and tourists. This tank is encompassed by beautiful temples all around and used for ritual bathing and immersing idols. As per one popular legend in Gokarna, Koti Tirtha is believed to be the origin of a thousand springs.

Nirvana Beach

If you’re looking for offbeat places to visit in Gokarna, then you should add Nirvana Beach to your itinerary for the trip. This beach is secluded from the throngs of crowds and offers recluse to those who wish to have some beach time to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Bhadrakali Temple

It is a popular legend which says that when a demon known as Vetrasur seized control of the three lokas, the trinity of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva created a female warrior called Durge. She was given various powers by the gods to defeat the demon and after that Lord Shiva re-christened her as Bhadrakali. She was sent to Gokarna and now believed to be known as the protector of the town. Another legend associated with the temple says that Lord Cishnuto requested the goddess to stay in Gokarna after Ravana abandoned her.

Baada Beach

Known as one of the best Gokarna places to visit and the cleanest beach in town, Baada Beach is a place you should definitely visit when you are here for a holiday. In order to reach Baada Beach, one has to partake an exciting beach trek from Kirki to Gokarna.

Shiva Cave

Shiva Cave is a fascinating place to visit on your visit to Gokarna that is not much popular among tourists yet. Consisting of a Shiva Lingam, Shiva Cave is an interesting place that people should visit. With its dark interiors, tourists are advised to carry a torch inside when they are visiting here. It is also home to many bats and has an interesting legend associated with it.

Yana Caves

Yana caves is one of the finest creations of nature, located in Kumta in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, this cave is both alluring and mysterious. Pitch black in color, the cave is formed of karst limestone, well-known for its unique structure and pattern of formation.

Vibhuthi Falls

The Waterfall is around 50 kilometres from Sirsi, in the state of North Karnataka. According to Hindu mythology, Vibhuti means “ashes of glory.” The waterfall gained its name from the mythology because a vast rack of limestone was discovered near the Vibhuti fall, making the water pure and mineral-rich.

Murudeshwara

Murudeshwara is a town in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India. Murudeshwara”' is another name of the Hindu god Shiva. Famous for the world's second-tallest Shiva statue, the town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple.

Maha Ganpati Temple

One of the most popular places to visit in Gokarna, Maha Ganpati Temple draws in a number of pilgrims every day. It is located near the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple and dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Eco Beach

Kasarkod Beach, also known as Eco Beach, is a pristine beach located in Kasaragod district of Karnataka, India. The beach is renowned for its serene and untouched beauty, with a long stretch of golden sand, swaying coconut palms, and crystal-clear waters of the Arabian Sea.

Sharavathi Kandla Mangrove Boardwalk

Sharavathi Mangrove Walkway is a well paved wooden walkway that takes the visitors in the middle of the Mangrove forest and Sharavathi river. After walking for around 1.5 kms, you will reach the major attraction of the walkway ie, narrow wooden walkway that is built across an island like place in between the Mangrove forest which is definitely a wonderful experience