Monday, 1 April 2013

Top places to visit in Gokarna

Gokarana Beach: Closest to the town, it is a major hotspot for tourists who gather here whn they visit the Mahabaleshwar temple. Hemmed by the Arabian sea on one side and craggy mountains on the other side, it is a serene spot. Tourists visiting Gokarana beach can enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Kudle Beach: One of the first pitstops in the temple town is the Kudlee beach. It is also one of the largest and the most populated beach. It is an ideal spot for bike surfing and boating and if you are lucky you can even catch a glimpse of dolphins playing in the currents. Swimming is not advisable in this beach because the currents are strong.

Om Beach: The Om beach is known for its beautiful coastline, shaped like the religious Hindu symbol. Om beach is also one of the most important spiritual places. Visitors can enjoy surfing and boat cruises here. The Om beach is a safe spot for a dip, even for non-swimmers.

Half Moon Beach: This hotspot is a twenty minute walk from Om Beach and the name's derived from its beautiful shape, that of a half moon.

Paradise Beach: One of the least populated and secluded beaches, Paradise beach is rocky and is accessible via a boat or through a trek in the forests. It is a perfect hideaway for hippie tourists, and hs some open restaurants that serve delicious seafood fare.

Gokarana is a city of contrats -- built around the famous Mahabaleshwar temple, the city has been attracting pilgrims and backpackers in equal parts. Here are some of the famous temples to visit:

Mahabaleshwar Temple: This temple is one of the most popular attractions in Uttara Kannada district. It is popular among devotees due to a Shiva Linga present here, otherwise known as Pranalinga or Atmalinga. This religious site is deemed to be as holy as the Shiva Temples of Kashi or Varanasi and is counted among the seven sacred Muktikshetras. Devotees who plan to visit the Mahabaleshwar Temple also take a dip in the Arabian Sea before visiting the site. This structure represents the Dravidian architectural style and has been constructed using white granite stones.

Bhadrakali Temple: This temple is dedicated to Goddess Uma, and is popular pilgrimage attraction of Gokarna. The prime deity of this temple, which is situated 1 km from the town, is believed to be the protector of Gokarna. This temple is part of Mahabaleshwar Temple complex. It is said that Lord Vishnu asked Uma, the wife of Lord Shiva, to stay at Gokarna when Ravana abandoned her here. Currently devotees visiting Gokarna pray to Uma as the Mother Goddess Bhadrakali. If time permits, visitors passing by this town should stop by Bhadrakali Temple in order to pay their respects.

Maha Ganapati Temple: One of the most renowned religious sites in Gokarna, it is very close to the Mahabaleshwar Temple. It was constructed to commemorate Lord Ganesha who succeeded in deceiving Ravana, the king of demons, and took away the Atmalinga from him. According to local legends, devotees should visit Maha Ganapati Temple before going to Mahabaleshwar Temple. This temple is well known among travellers for its 1.3 metre tall black stone idol of Lord Ganesha. Pilgrims first offer prayers at the Maha Ganesha Temple because it is said that Lord Shiva blessed him with the honor of first worship.

 
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