Several people advised us to come to Gokarna, and although in the guides it is not one of the must, we do not think twice. Although it is not the least visited site in India if you see a certain air of authenticity that has been lost in other sites.
Ok, it is full of hippies that stay here for a good time, but there are also many jeeps full of Indians who come here every day to fulfill their Hindu rituals, not in vain this is a sacred place for them.
Many wear white, others completely black and most have their heads shaved to the ground with a kind of little coletite in the neck. They make their processions from one temple to another in the town, on the main street, until they reach the beach at sunset, where some complete this ritual with a good dip ...
And others, entertain themselves with puppies ...
The town itself does not have great interest, some temple where in theory they do not let outsiders enter, some gueshouse, a couple of restaurants and lots of internet points and hippy shops for tourists. Although we have realized that the type of tourist we meet has changed substantially as we move south and towards the beaches. From the tourist hooked to the camera (like us) to the hooked to juggling, dreadlocks, tattoos and the "shanti shanti". But we like it, huh?
The pace in the town of Gokarna is slow, calm, relaxed ... but to live this lifestyle it is best to approach or stay at one of the two nearby beaches: Kudle Beach and Om Beach. The first is more western, preferred by most long-term travelers because it is more prepared to eat and sleep. It is the closest and is very cool. The second is a little further and is usually more visited by locals, it does not have so much beach bar but the place is something more beautiful. Also to get there you have to go through a hill from where you have great views of the coast!
So with our base in the Gokarna town we have explored these beaches on the back of the oldest motorcycle in town. I already wanted to catch one!
USEFUL INFO
Beaches.
- Kudle. The first day we went to Kudle a paw. From the left of the temple in the center of town you take a small path that climbs a hill. It is not very hard and in 25 minutes you are in the parking lot of tuctucs and motorcycles. From there you have to descend on a path just to do on foot and there you are. If you want to stay on a beach this is the best, you can arrive in tuctuc for about 50-80 INR, yes, the low one with the backpack in tow and the walk from one GH to another along the beach is not taken away by anyone. There are restaurants with WiFi. If you go by motorcycle it is the same way.
- Om. We only went by motorcycle.The road is different. You have to go out of town and catch a detour to the left. If you arrive at the gas station you have passed. And from there let yourself go. They are like 6 km. In tuctuc they ask for about 150 INR one way, negotiable is clear! There is very little accommodation and a restaurant.
How to get.
We took the 14.00 bus at Canacona station, 3 km from Palolem beach. It takes about 3 hours to arrive and cost about 90 INR. Leave at the village station.
Where to sleep.
We did it in the Hari Priya, in the village. Here we tell you.
How to move.
On the main street there are places that rent bikes and bikes. We caught a motillo for 550 INR two days. There are also many tuctucs to reach the beaches.
