Gokarana:

Gokarna is famous for temple of Mahabaleshwar (Shiva). This is considered to be the most revered in this area. There is legend of Ravana’s mother praying, a Shiva lingam made of sand on the beach of sea. The waves used to destroy the lingam in high tide, so Ravana went for praying and penance for years; in order to please Shiva. Shiva being very kind gave Ravana, his Atmalingam.

This caused panic among Gods and they sent Ganesha to take back the lingam. While Ravana was returning to Lanka it was getting dark by the time he reached Gokarna. It was time for his Sandhyavandana, and he was looking for someone to hold this lingam in his hand, till Ravana finishes his job. Shiva had told Ravana that, wherever lingam is kept on ground for the first time it would stay there forever. Ganesha, went in disguise as a Brahmin boy, raising cows near this beach. Ravana, handed over lingam to him; ganesha tricked Ravana and kept the lingam on beach. Later, Ravana was furious and he tried to remove this lingam from ground but nothing would work; hence it is called Mahabaleshwar(the one which is powerful than Mahabali). The lingam broke into pieces and four of them fell in the area around which are namely Murudeshwar, Gunavanteshwar, Shejjeshwar and Dhareshwar.

The lingam, here is kept beneath ground and is covered with stone cap (kavach), you can insert your hand inside and touch the lingam. Also not miss to see the beautifully carved wooden chariots used during processions.

The town appears to have been frozen in time gone by. It is a perfect scene; that you would have seen 50 years back in most of the temple towns in India; with only priest and dhotis and devotees around.

Besides temple and beaches there is not much activity here. You would find few foreigners coming here to enjoy the beach; but most of them come here as it is much cost effective than Goa. The beach close to temple; is called Gokarna beach. In the southwards direction at say 1.5 km from Gokarna; is the Kudle beach, which is small but offers great privacy. Further, to south is the Om Beach, which is in shape of Om; you would find some of the foreigners here in beach shacks.

On the whole, Gokarna offers peace, privacy and spirituality. Besides it is much cheaper for stay and food as compared to other places. However for strange reasons it has not come up as a spot of leisure tourism. So if you are a trend setter don’t forget to explore, this beautiful land in between two rivers and in shape of cow’s ear (Gokarna).