Cow's Ear- for that's what `Gokarna' actually means- is a mundane way of describing a place as pretty as this. Named for the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers, Gokarna, is noted more as a pilgrimage centre than as a beach.ituated in coastal Karnataka is 453 kms from Bangalore and about 55 kms from Karwar.It is described as a Shaiva Centre, as important as Kashi and Rameshwar. History has it that the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extricate it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Linga to Dhareshwar, Gunavanteshwara, Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples.
Getting there
Gokarna is well-connected to Bangalore and Mysore. Regular buses ply from Karwar, Goa and Mangalore.
Gokarna is 60 km south of Karwar and 7 hours from the city of Mangalore. One of the best ways of getting to this town is aboard the Konkan Railway, which traverses the prettiest parts of India's western coast. Konkan Railway trains pass through Gokarna Road (10 km from the town), Ankola (25 km), or Karwar (23 km). From either of these railheads, a bus can be taken to Gokarna.
Gokarna has good bus connections to a number of towns within Karnataka and along the west coast; Goa, for instance, is only about 5 hours away.
Best time to visit
Gokarna is pretty much a round-the-year destination, although you'd be well advised to avoid it during the monsoon, when heavy rain can make it muddy and messy. In February-March, festivities mark Maha Shivratri, and along with other celebrations, there's a colourful procession in Gokarna. January and February, when the weather's good, are anyway a great time to visit the town.