Gokarna temples and beaches part1

A trip to gokarna.I had very enjoyable scenic trip to gokarna at start of July.I was checking on must visit places in Karnataka in Internet by mid-week and read about Gokarna.I saw some images of beautiful beaches there.It was small coastal town. spiritual seekers come for its temples. Tourists come to be close to coastal nature.very special thing in gokarna is seas and mountains lie close to each other at the coast.Main town lies in plains.July was monsoon time and was off season for tourists.spirtual seekers come throughout the year but tourists come in season.November to February is season where foreigners visit beaches. I booked non AC sleeper bus and reached Gokarna by morning.I checked rates in couple of lodges .I found a cheaper and cleaner accommodation in Ashokvana at 9 am.Owner didn't take advance as his digital payment system was not working.ATMs were far.So he agreed to take money by evening. I took bath and had a yoga session.I had breakfast in same hotel.        
 Temples in gokarna .                                     
 First temple that was on my way was anjaneya temple.It was small temple under a tree and was busy.Next I worshiped kali in bhadrakali Amman temple.Then I walked through the town car street.Lot of houses were of old architecture.They had a front garden and had big houses.I could see many households with big houses, joint familes , orthodox people following customs .There were ayurvedic doctors,yoga teachers in Car street.next I went to Mahaganapthi Temple.Ganapathi was in standing pose.

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 Beyond ganapathi temple I visited mahbaleswar temple.There were facilities to do different Poojas to Atma linga in Temple.Many priests were recommending me to do it.I don't prefer customs  so I had a calm darshan .Temple people were planning for some temple work and I gave temple them a contribution.Cash taker was happy to know that I came from madurai where his fond godess Meenakshi is present.Temple was also maintaining cows . There was facility to provide free meals to devotees. 

Gokarna beach

As I entered main beach the rains started .I had conversation with a shopkeeper who was speaking in foreign accent.He derives lot of happiness in season when he sees lot of people around the Beach.Gokarna beach has long cost line and easily accessible from town.Some Pilgrims had tonsured their heads and taking bath. 

            

When I went near beach there were mild drizzling.On the left there was hill having ramatheertam temple.on the right it was long coastline.I had shot my first pictures of the sea from here.There were high tides.Color of sky and waves were of same grey tone.I sat over there for some time in shade for rain to stop.Here are some pics.

Trek to kudle

Then I walked towards the hill.It had Rama theertam temple I took more pics of gokarna from top hill 

Further I treked and reached a road on hill top I found sea down the hill.

I reached a hotel called Namaste cafe that serves vegetarian lunch.Food was less spicy suited for yogis practing in near resort

There was a path down the hill.It was again drizzling.

Kudle beach

Kudle beach was surrounded by two hillocks and semicircle.Beach had several waterways joining seas and we had cross it with wet legs.It started raining again.There were couple of resorts on the shore.Beach was filled with plastic wastes.

Trek to om beach

At end of beach there was a path to road that goes to kudle beach.There were private roads from resorts that I later found.I went ahead in guided path from local.Now the way filled with red sand.Due to rains the it was wet and muddy.I reached a beautiful road that goes up the hill and turns around to get the magnificent om beach.There were sea facing hills and shoreline I could see from the roads like below.

Om beach

As reached om beach I was surprised to see lot of people there.shore line in shape of letter om.Om beach is best of all beaches in gokarna.It has lot of rocks in middle of sea.I noticed a linga like structure in one of those rocks.As I sat I rocks and see the infinite nature of sea, I found peace.As the tides were waving up and down,my mind had become very energetic that lasted whole night.Then I walked across the beach.There were coastal guards who advised me not sit in rocks as Waves were high.I told them about next day planned  trekking to half moon and Paradise beach.They advised me not to go alone as those beaches were deserted.I walked to till end of beach.

Way back to sunshine

I took my way back again to road to kudle beach.I saw some sunshine at end of the day and sea was reflective of sun's glow.Road back to kudle beach was also beautiful with dog (in pic) showing the way.Next day couple of dogs were showing  a complex trail from Paradise to om beach .On Saturday evening indication has come for future .