Pictures
Gokarna – A Paradise Preserved.
The beaches of Gokarna don’t need any preface. But this time, I fell in love with the town even more! Laying spread, off Karnataka’s west, along the coast, in Uttara Kannada district, it takes an overnight bus journey to reach here. Being spiritual that the town is, it is less commercial, and more down to earth than flashy. I sit back in the bus, waiting for the next day with my girl gang, as we relax en route Gokarna. This journey was my third to Gokarna and still, it’s any less exciting. There are four beaches in Gokarna that attracts the spiritual tourists apart from the temple. Kudle (super duper awesome beautiful beach), Ohm beach (where boat rides and lazy relaxing is prescribed), Half Moon Beach (hippie galore), Paradise beach (flea markets and curios, fun place) and Nirvana beach (just as the name says, Nirvana with stretches of white sand, taking us into another level altogether).
I was informed of the bus’s arrival at Gokarna town next morning at 7:00 am and I hurriedly pack up my camera and sweater getting off the bus to find myself in between two cow arses. What a lovely welcome that was! There I witness a narrow lane, alien looking, but nice, full of colours, steaming hot food in the street sides, vegetable and flower vendors sitting on the pavement, cows defecating and chewing cud, sadhus striding with prayer books and chants on their lips. Auto drivers swarm around and want to know where we’d like to go first. I know where I had booked a beach shack for my stay. So I am off, to Kudle Beach and its own- German Bakery/ Sunset Cafe.
Gokarna is a place which has just ONE ATM, cows romping all over the streets chewing flower cud, women walking in traditional attires, pooja goodies and little God’s statues, narrow roads that smells of incense sticks and blooming flowers, colourful all seems like from a different time. Time has stopped here and that’s why perhaps, everyone gets lazy in Gokarna! Even the dogs, I say!
The best part of the trip was the stay indeed. Sunset cafe at Kudle beach was where I had arranged a room. INR125/- per head for one day was a smooth bargain (although we stayed for 2 days technically, they were sweet enough to let it be). What a bliss that place was! At night, near the huts, hippies staying in these got together making bonfires on the sand and sang songs, playing guitar and congo drums. Food was heavenly and the crude smell of warm coffee from their near by café woke us up everyday. We sat up on our beds, listening to the waves murmur and the wind blow.
Gokarna takes in trekkers and surfers alike. This mountainous town has four astonishing beaches and numerous trekkable paths laden. The Siva temple in town is centuries old and is the main reason why Gokarna is not commercialized unlike Goa. Ohm beach is another favourite destination of beach lovers because of the sheer beauty of this beach. Up above from Yoga Hill, this beach takes the shape of Om, the sacred Hindu symbol. Such a breathtaking view this is!
Blue beaches, honey colored sands, aquamarine skies and a beautiful evening is a small peek into what Gokarna would promise you!
Autos commute between beaches and they charge a bomb for a budget traveler. Knowing a bit of Kannada comes in handy. Thanks to Kannadiga friends, bargaining here, is pretty easy!
I wanted to get lazy; doze off listening to the sea and waves, see a million stars above me, tickle my taste buds, walk barefoot on the night sand at Kudle, be there to witness. For some good reason, all happened this time. We, a gang of six girls, strode past the busting streets, music shops, tiny cozy beach shacks, ate well, saw roughly ten shooting stars that night over a star studded sky above, the six of us lay there lazed on the beach sand- with guitar, music and two dogs. Sensuous and romantic indeed…Superb. Boating and surfing are a few activities one can indulge in, and Gokarna just surprises you with myriad forms of engaging activities!
We strutted to Ohm beach, waves crashing and breaking ahead, blue sky and a blue sea; brilliant. A much-needed week-day lazy trip it was. Trekking, dip-in-the-sea, various games in the sea, boat rides, eating well, sound sleep, lovely place to stay, what more do you want? There is always a promise to make to Gokarna; that you’d return and visit her again, but with more friends! The more the merrier, ai?
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