Gokarna is a perfect place for those who need a peaceful vacation with enjoyment. Many people call Gokarna “Mini Goa”. It is situated at the coast of the Arabian sea. Gokarna is a one-night journey from Bangalore. The best way to reach there is to take the bus at night from Bangalore. Mostly there are buses around 8:00 pm to 9:30 pm and morning you will reach Gokarna around 5:00 am to 6:30 am. Gokarna is a 3 days 2 Night trip. The overall expense will come around 3k-4k. There are many places to visit in Gokarna, let’s explore them!!
Nirvana Beach
This is the best beach where you can enjoy the feel of having a private beach. This beach is almost empty. Best place to do your photoshoot ;). There is one homestay at that beach which is perfect for peace and enjoying the sound of sea waves. Staying there feels like camping in the forest, they have tree houses also. There are swings where you can lay down and just feel the cool breeze along with the sound of sea waves. They provide good food also. Since the homestay is at the beach it’s easy to enjoy a beach and then freshen up there. They provide a life jacket also when you will go inside the water. If going with family, children can enjoy themselves a lot there because there will be fewer people to disturb their sandcastles.
At nighttime, you can enjoy bonfires with your friends and family. There are no restrictions. You can enjoy a bonfire and sit there as long as you want. The homestay people will only provide you with the woods and will suggest you proper place for a bonfire. They will charge for it. For us, it cost 500 INR. Staying there will cost 500-900 INR per night.
From Nirvana beach you have to walk a little bit to reach the main road, from there you can take the bus, the bus will drop you at the ferry stop. There you can take a motorboat and can reach kudle beach.
Kudle Beach
Kudle beach is a “C” shape beach. The water of the kudle beach is cold and clear. Good place for people who collect seashells, there are lots of and variety of seashells present. There are many restaurants at the beach. There are hotels nearby where you can stay. Locals go for morning and evening walks at the beach and practice yoga there. It is neither too crowded nor too empty. Foreigners enjoy sunbath there. 1-2 hours is enough here.
From kudle beach, you can take the bus and can reach om beach within 10-15 mins.
OM Beach
Om beach is the most famous beach of Gokarna. It is named Om beach because it resembles the shape of ॐ. This beach is always filled with people. The water at this beach is so clear. According to my visit, I found this the clearest water among all the beaches. There are good restaurants present at the beach with a good taste of food. Hotels to stay are also available there. People get inked there. Locals sell shell earrings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces. You should be good at bargaining to buy these :). At this beach adventure sports are also available including boating and surfing. It gets more attention from foreigners. Different kinds of big rock formations attract more people there. Overall, Om beach is a really beautiful beach. 2-3 hours are good to explore this beach. This is the most visited and must visit the place.
Shiva Cave
Going to Shiva cave you can enjoy hiking also because it is at top of the hill with grasses and small plants. From Kudle beach Shiva cave is 5.5 km and from my experience, I will suggest you go on a walk!! Tress from both sides of the road gives refreshing air and there are small places on the way to shiva cave where you can get good photos. You have to find the cave on the hill because the entrance hole is small to the cave, Rays of light come from the cave. Beware of bats because there are bats inside the cave of Shiva on the ceiling. A little bit of walk then you will see the shiv linga. Turn on your flashlights or torch because inside it is dark. One or two holes are there from which ray of light comes. It is not that famous but it is fascinating.
Sri Mahabaleshwara Swami Temple
Mahabaleshwar temple is a very worshiped shiv linga temple which is called Aatamalinga. The Aatamalinga is 6ft. in height and is present beneath the earth’s surface with a hole in its center. You can only touch the top of shiv linga and can offer milk, water, or Prashad to the linga. Should wear traditional clothes while visiting the temple as western wear is not allowed. Boys should remove their shirts to visit inside the main temple. Foreigners are not allowed in this temple. There are many water coolers present inside the temple area. If you are going in the evening it’s good to go between 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm to attend aarti. There is one story behind this temple, you can read that also. Nearby this temple, one Ganpati temple is there, people say that one should first visit the Ganpati temple then do the darshan here.
The local market of Gokarna mainly contains seashells jewelry, pottery designs, handmade wooden home decor things. Local markets attract foreigners. There are lots of tattoo shops to get inked. Overall, Gokarna can be a solo trip, a group trip, or a family trip. Any trip will give you a good experience.
