With beaches on one side and mountains on the other, Gokarna is a place that has so much to offer. Getting here is the easy part, planning how to explore the town to the fullest in just two days can be tricky. Well, don’t scratch your head too much. We are here to help you figure out your itinerary so that you can cover the best of Gokarna in 2 days!
Places To Visit On Day 1
Make sure you reach early in the morning to make the most of your trip. Once you have arrived, it’s best to begin your day by exploring the famous places that are closest to the town.
1. Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple
You can start your day by visiting the Sri Mahabaleshwar temple, which is located just 500 m from the Gokarna Bus station. Built by King Mayurasharma, the famous ruler of the Kadamba dynasty, this temple has been an important place of worship since the 4th century AD.
Visit the temple early in the morning by 6 am, and be enthralled by the beauty of its ancient architecture. Legend has it that this was the place where the Atmalinga was gifted to Ravana by Lord Shiva. Due to a certain unexpected turn of events, it got firmly placed on the ground. Once you’re done exploring this temple, you can also visit the surrounding shrines like Shree Maha Ganapati Dev temple and Shri Tamragouri Devi Temple.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: From 6 am to 12:30 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm
How much time to spend here: Around an hour
2. Gokarna Beach
After visiting the temple, come to Gokarna Beach, which is also known as Gokarna Main Beach. It is located at just 300 m from the temple. You can easily reach the beach via the road that leads to the temple.
Visiting the beach in the morning is guaranteed to leave you refreshed. Since it’s close to the temple, the beach is also religiously significant and pilgrims come here to take a dip. You’ll also get to see locals practicing yoga. Don’t forget to take a break from the exploration for breakfast. There are a lot of cafes on the beach, so you won’t have to rack your brains.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: Open 24 hours
How much time to spend here: One hour or more if you love spending time at the beach.
3. Mirjan Fort
Now that you have had your breakfast at Gokarna Beach and re-energized, it’s time to explore some more! Located on the banks of the river Aghanashini, Mirjan Fort was built in the 16th century. It’ll take you about 40 minutes from the beach to reach the fort. We recommend going by a hired cab or two-wheeler.
The rustic beauty of the fort is sure to take you back in time. You’ll be mesmerized by the unique architecture, which is a fusion of Deccan and Mughal architectures. Explore the remains of secret passages here and get to the top to have an amazing view of the surroundings. You can also have your lunch at one of the eating joints here.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: From 8 am to 6 pm
How much time to spend here: An hour should be enough, but you can spend more if you are a history buff.
4. Paradise Beach
What’s better than visiting one beach? Visiting two beaches! Paradise Beach is located about 30 minutes (22 kilometers) away from the fort. Wondering why it’s named ‘paradise’? Just take one look at the glistening white sand and crystal-clear water, and you’ll know for yourself.
Enjoy a walk on the soft white sand of the beach and experience the beauty of the gentle waters here. We recommend going on a night trek and exploring the beach with the help of a local guide. You can also set up a camp here with the permission of the locals, and wind up for the day under the stars.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: Open 24 hours
How much time to spend here: One hour is enough, but you’ll most likely end up spending more than that!
Places To Visit On Day 2
With a fresh day at hand, and having explored the attractions closest to the town, it’s time to go a little farther. Get ready for day 2!
1. Murudeshwar Temple
Start your day early in the morning by heading for the Murudeshwar temple which houses the world’s third-largest statue of Lord Shiva. Surrounded by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea, it is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in South India. According to a legend, the Atmalingam you see here is a major piece of the one that Ravana tried to throw after it got stuck to the ground.
We recommend checking the timings of the major pujas here before you visit in case you want to take part in any of the rituals. Do visit the nearby Statue Park to get an awesome view of the Lord Shiva statue with the sea as its backdrop.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: From 3 am to 1 pm and 3 pm to 8 pm
How much time to spend here: 30 minutes should be enough. You might have to spend more if it is crowded on the day of your visit.
2. Murudeshwar Beach
After you are done exploring the temple, it’s time to visit the major tourist attraction near it- Murudeshwar Beach. Located right behind the statue of Lord Shiva, this beach is also important to the pilgrims who come to the temple.
Once you are here, find a good spot to sit and relax. Just watch the time pass by and soak in the beauty of the surrounding green hills. You can also have a small picnic here before you head to your next destination for the day. If you are more of an adventurous person, then you are in for a treat. The beach also offers water sports activities like paragliding, water scooters, and speed boat services.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: Open 24 hours
How much time to spend here: An hour or more will be enough. You might take more time if you want to opt for water sports.
3. Apsara Konda Falls
Located just about 20 kilometers from the main town of Murudeshwar, the Apsara Konda Falls is sure to refresh you from all that traveling. Apsarakonda literally means ‘pond of angels’ because it is believed to be an ancient waterfall where angels bathed and relaxed.
Get down to the base of the waterfalls using the stairs created by the tourism department to make the trail easy. Experience the true beauty of the falls and the naturally formed pond below it. A unique feature to look out for while you are here is the peepal tree whose roots descend around the waterfall. After spending enough time here, you can move on to the next place or explore the nearby caves. We suggest you go to the caves. It is not every day you get to go inside a cave, right!
Entry Fee: INR 10 for the park.
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm
How much time to spend here: 45 minutes or more if you are exploring the caves.
4. Gogarbha Cave
End your trip by visiting the mesmerizing Gogarbha Cave (Shiva Cave). It’s locally known as the Gogarbha Cave since it’s located in a sacred ancient spot known as ‘Gogarbha’ which means ‘cow’s womb’. The cave is located about 62 kilometers from the Apsarakonda waterfalls, so it’ll take you about 1 hour to get here.
The main attraction of the place is the Shiva Lingam inside the cave. We suggest you carry a lamp while you enter the cave since it gets dark inside. The legends surrounding this place make exploring the two rooms (the entrance chamber and blue chapel chamber) of the cave an exciting experience. If you get hungry from all the exploring, there are several eateries near the caves from where you can grab a bite. On your way back, you can drop by Om Beach which is just about a distance 11 minutes from the caves.
Entry Fee: None
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm
How much time to spend here: 45 minutes should be enough.
Summing Up
Gokarna is full of exciting places, so covering them in just two days can be a challenge, but hey, it’s going to be super fun! With its ancient temples and heavenly waterfalls, this town can give you many many happy memories. What are you doing if you are not packing your bags already? Explore these amazing places in two days and experience the best of Gokarna!
FAQs
Which Is The Best Month To Visit Gokarna?
The best time to visit Gokarna is from October to March. Avoid visiting the place during the summer months.
Which Is Cheaper, Gokarna Or Goa?
Gokarna is considered to be cheaper than Goa. This is because Gokarna is not yet as commercialized as Goa.
Is Gokarna Safe For A Girl’s Trip?
Gokarna is not just safe for a girl’s trip but is also considered safe enough for solo women travelers. The town is usually filled with Indian and foreign tourists, and the locals here are also friendly.
What Foods To Try In Gokarna?
Seafood like prawns masala and clam curry are a must-try here. You also don’t want to miss out on local delicacies like todadevu and patrode.
Which Is The Main Railway Station Near Gokarna?
The nearest railway station from Gokarna is located in Ankola. It is at a distance of 20 kilometers from the town.
What Is The Speciality Of Gokarna?
Gokarna is a major pilgrimage site. Lord Shiva is the main deity here and the town is known as one of the seven important pilgrimage centers of Hinduism.
Does Gokarna Have Ola Or Uber?
Yes, tourists can hire an Ola or Uber to get anywhere in and around Gokarna. Savaari cab services are also available here.
