Gokarna in August is ideal for visiting this place because of its fantastic environment during this season. It is located in a small town in the Uttara Kannada district. The entire area is very soothing, and the atmosphere is perfect for trekking on the beaches. Gokarna receives moderate rainfall in August, but it is also the ideal time for nature lovers to soak in the beauty of the beaches of Gokarna. The temperature range is from 23.6° c to 26.4° C in August, and it is mostly less crowded, which provides more opportunities to explore the entire area without much hassle.
Etymology Of Gokarna
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The name Gokarna means cow’s ear, and it is believed that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow. Gokarna is a confluence of the Gangavali River and the Aghanashini River in an ear shape. According to the Bhagavata Purana, 200 years into the kaliyuga, a Brahmin named Atma Deva, due to his karma in his past life, couldn’t have children in his present life. When he wandered into the forest for help, he met a sanyasi who told him he would grant his wish. Das Sanyasi gave Aatm Deva a fruit; when his wife consumed it, they would have a child. Aatm Deva’s wife, Dhundhli, didn’t want the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, so she gave the fruit to her cow. That cow gave birth to a human child, and all the parts were the same as humans except the ears, which were cow ears. Because of those cow ears, the child was named Gokarna.
This place is also mentioned in the Bhagavata Purana as the home of the brothers Gokarna and Dhunadhakari. When Brahma felt proud that he had created the universe, he decided to meditate to apologise for his arrogance. He wanted to lift the curse given by Shiva, and while he was meditating, Lord Shiva appeared unexpectedly in the ears of a cow. The Puranas also state that the 6th Avatar of Vishnu, Parshuram, created Kerala from Goa to Kanyakumari.
Must Read: Places Near Gokarna
The Legend Of Gokarna
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In the earliest legend of the city, it is believed that in Treta yuga, Ravana reached Kailash and performed rigorous penances to obtain Atma Linga from Lord Shiva because his mother wanted to worship it. After Lord Shiva granted the Atma Linga to Ravana, he instructed him to carry it home on a walk and not place it on the earth because if it remained on the land for a short while, it would eternally be embedded there.
Lord Vishnu learned that Ravana would become very powerful if he had the Atma Linga and planned to install the Linga somewhere on earth. Ganesha agreed with the condition that he would hold the Linga until he could bear the weight of it, and he would call Ravana 3 times. He would place the Linga on the earth if he failed to return. While Ravana was performing his rituals, Ganesha called him three times. Later, Ravana placed the Linga on the ground when Ganesha disappeared. Then the Linga immediately got stuck to the ground, and Ravana realised that the gods had tricked him. He tried pulling the Linga, but it didn’t move. Frustratedly, he threw the coverings of the Linga in Dhareshwara, Gunavanteshwara, Murudeshwara and Shejjeshwara. Since he couldn’t lift the Linga, he named it Mahabala, which means great strength. From then on, this place became Mahabaleshwara. Lord Shiva visited all five locations, took all the five forms and made them Pancha kshetras.
Location And Climate In Gokarna
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Gokarna is 238 km north of Mangalore, 59 km from Karwar and 483 km from Bangalore. Gokarna is also between the Gangavali River and the Aghanashini River along the Karwar coast by the Arabian Sea. Gokarna bypass and maxi cabs can be reached from Kumta, which is 30 km away; Ankola, 26 km away; and Bhatkal, 88 km away on National Highway 66. KSRTC also runs long journeys from significant cities like Panaji, Bangalore and Mysore, and private buses offer night journeys from Bengaluru to Gokarna every day. Gokarna can be reached by Konkan Railway from the Mumbai to Bangalore route. Important trains like KSR Bengaluru, Karwar Express, Matsyagandha Express, Purna Express and Mangalore locals stop here daily.
The nearest airport to Gokarna is Hubli Airport, which has only domestic flights. Goa International Airport and Mangalore International Airport are the closest airports to Gokarna for international flights. Some villages near Gokarna are Sanikatta, Bankikodla-Hanehalli, Tadadi, Torke, and Bijjur. Gokarna’s climate is hot and humid from January to April. May to September receive moderate rainfall. October to December is a bit colder than the rest of the year.
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Gokarna
Beaches In Gokarna
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Gokarna is famous for its beaches. The drive to Gokarna is beautiful, with the rocky mountains and Western Ghats on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other. Gokarna Beach in the town and Kudle Beach are west-facing. Only Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach and Belekan Beach are south-facing.
The main Gokarna village forms the first part of the town in the north, while the other four beaches lie in the south. Gokarna main beach is used mostly by Indian pilgrims, and it is a long, open beach, especially known for surfing. Kundle and Om Beach are 6 km from Gokarna town along a muddy hill. Tourists can reach these beaches by local rickshaw or by foot. Beyond these two beaches are Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach, accessible only by trekking or boat.
Tips While Planning To Gokarna In August
Gokarna in August is considered off-season, an advantage for tourists travelling there.
- It is recommended to check the weather conditions before visiting the beaches, as it may sometimes rain heavily and cause a lot of mess on the beach.
- There are also limited food options during the season. Still, it is highly recommended that people who want to avoid crowds and are enthusiastic about exploring nature visit this place during August.
- This is also the month when the town is festive because of festivals. The scenery around Gokarna is mesmerising during the monsoon.
Further Read: Beaches In Gokarna
Now that you have a list of things to remember while travelling to Gokarna in August, plan your trip to Gokarna to have a fantastic one. Whether you are a beach lover or just a naturalist, Gokarna offers various activities to keep you entertained. Book your trip to Gokarna now for a great vacation!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gokarna In August
What are the things to remember while travelling to Gokarna in August?
Since it is the monsoon season, tourists should be prepared for heavy rainfall on some days, and it is also risky to swim. They should follow the instructions on the beaches and enjoy their trip in the beautiful atmosphere.
Are there many food options in Gokarna?
Gokarna is known to be a religious town, so most of them have vegetarian options. However, due to the beaches, there are also many seafood options near the coast of the beaches, with various cuisines.
What is the climate in Gokarna?
Gokarna is not too hot or cold. The heat is tolerable, especially near the beaches. It receives moderate rainfall during the rainy season. It is not extremely cold in winter.
What are some places to visit in Gokarna?
There are many places to visit, such as Shri Mahabaleshwara Temple, Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Paradise Beach, Gogarbha Cave, Koti Teertha, and many more
Are there any water sports activities in Gokarna?
Yes. Gokarna is famous for its beaches and offers water sports activities such as parasailing, scuba diving, surfing, swimming, jet skiing, paddle boating, kayaking, banana boat rides, speed boating, river rafting, and many more.
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