If you are looking for a relaxed holiday or want to explore some really old temples and their history, Gokarna is the destination you should head to. It is small coastal town in the state of Karnataka, which offers both a religious and rejuvenating experience.
Gokarna is a sacred Hindu pilgrim town that is home to one of the most ancient and revered temples, including the Mahabaleswara temple that is believed to be the home to the original image of Lord Shiva’s Lingum (an abstract representation of a deity). During the four-day
If you are looking for a relaxed holiday or want to explore some really old temples and their history, Gokarna is the destination you should head to. It is small coastal town in the state of Karnataka, which offers both a religious and rejuvenating experience.
Gokarna is a sacred Hindu pilgrim town that is home to one of the most ancient and revered temples, including the Mahabaleswara temple that is believed to be the home to the original image of Lord Shiva’s Lingum (an abstract representation of a deity). During the four-day festival of Shivaratri that is observed in the month of February, Gokarna celebrates the grand union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati with much fanfare. It is a sight to watch a hundred people pulling a huge wooden chariot with the idol of the lord through the narrow streets of the town as part of a ritual on the final day of the festival. Amidst the hymns being chanted in the praise of the lord, you can see priests conducting a religious ceremony inside the chariot all through the procession.
Apart from its religious significance, Gokarna is also blessed with beautiful beaches; the less commercialized ones that offer a pleasurable experience where one can unwind. The Om beach which gets its name from the Om (a spiritual icon in the Indian religions) shaped rock formation, is a must visit beach.
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