The Holy river Ganga which was brought to earth by King Bhagiratha flows in to the Arabian sea which is the sea next to the temple of Mahabaleswar,so a dip in this sea is as good as a bath in the river Ganga.
There is also a belief about " Kotithirtha " that,it is a place where even the Devathas and other Sages from heaven take their bath on the aspicious day of " Tula Sankrathi day in the month of Karthika
The entrance to the town of Gokarna adores the temple of " Badrakali " gaurding the town of Gokarna as per the wishes of Lord Shiva.You can read it in the Guide Book on Gokarna about " Badrakali ".
There is also a temple of Lord Vishnu and Lord Venketesha a 6 feet tall idol standing in front of Mahabaleswar temple.
The temple of " Patavinayaka " also known as " Chinta Haran Ganapathi ",the temple of " Sri Krishna "," Sri Shankaranarayana "." Sri Sharadamba",Sri Kala Bhirava "," Sri Narasimha ",this is also the original place of " Sri Samsthana Gokarna Ramachandra Matt " now in Shivmoga.
Other Temples of high Significance are:
1 ] Sri Nageswara
2 ] Tamraparni.
3 ] Pitrusthaleswara.
4 ] Sri Rudrapada.
5 ] Sri Hithala Ganapathi.
6 ] Sri Kethaki Vinayaka.
7 ] Sri Surya Devalaya.
Great Historical places to visit are:
1 ] Sri Rama Mandira.
2 ] Sri Manibhadra.
3 ] Gobhadra.
4 ] Ekabindu... Sahasrabindu.
5 ] Jatayu Thirtha.
6 ] Maninaga.
7 ] Pandava Ashrama.
8 ] Sri Uma Maheswara.
9 ] Asokavana.
10] Vytharani Devi.
11] Rudrabhumi.
The Beaches that are around Gokarna:
1 ] Main Beach ( Near Temple Mahabaleswar ).
2 ] Kudle Beach.
3 ] Om Beach.
4 ] Half Moon Beach.
These are the Beaches that attract foreign visitors.
Sri Mahabhaleswara Astabanha is held once in 12 years when the shaligram that covers the Atmalinga is removed and pooja havan program mes are held for eight days.
It is said that many people from all over the world had come to see the real shape of Atmalinga at it's bottom could find only that the base of the Atmalinga was deep inside the earth and the Atmalinga was not a STONE.
The other most important festival is " Maha Shivaratri ".
Every where day and night for 24 hours you hear only,Har Har Mahadev,this festival is held in the month of Feb or Mar each year.
The Important Hindu Calender months Poojas and Traditional functions.
Highly Important months
Shravana & Kartika.
Important Utsavas and Car processions.
1) Kamadahanotsava - On Palguna Shudha Trayodashi
2) Dhadhirostava - On Shravana Bahula Navami.
3) Gangastami - On Aswina Bahula Astami.
4) Gowri Vivaha - On Aswina Bahula Chaturthi.
Other than the above during the begining of Karthika Shudha Prathipada till Wyshaka Bhahula Amavasya all Mondays Palaki Utsav is held and on Amavasya Rathotsava ( Car Procession ) is a special function.
Other Tirthas and Temples in Gokarna are:
1]Adi Gokarneswara.
2]Verabadra.
3]Yagneswara.
4] Shastreswara.
5] Viswamitralinga.
6] Bramheswara.
7] Kalakeswara.
8] Kumareawara.
9] Samvartakeswara.
10] Varuneswara.
11] Dharmeswara.
12] Sarveswara.
13] Naradeswara.
14]Savitreswara.
15] Kowshikeswara.
16] Rasalinga.
17] Bhagalinga.
18] Bharadwajeswara.
19] Kamadhahaneswara.
20] Ganeswara.
21] Agasteswara.
22] Garudeswara.
23] Mahandeswara.
24] Narayaneswara.
25] Sagareswara.
26] Kuberaswara.
27] Ravaneswara.
28] Durgadevi.
29] Saraswathi.
30] Amruteswara.
31] Madhuparkeswara and many more ......
The Thirthas are:
1] Vinayaka Thirta.
2] Samvartakawyapi Tirtha.
3] Agni Tirtha.
4] Aranya Tirtha.
5] Chakra Thirta.
6] Saraswathi Thirta.
7] Bramha Thirta.
8] Guha Thirta.
9] Viswamitra Thirta.
10] Gayitri Thirta.
11] Gokarna Thirta.
12] Aditya Thirta.
13] Markandeya Thirta.
14] Durga Kunda Thirta.
15] Unmagna Thirta.
16] Ytharani Thirta.
17] Asoka Panchaka Thirta.
18] Gangadhara Thirta.
19] Agastya Thirta.
20] Yshista Thirta.
21] Garuda Thirta.
22] Shankumara Thirta....... and more.
Songs and slokahs form the last part of the Guide book.
GUIDE PUBLISHED IN KANNADA BY:
Gelayara Balaga
Ratha Beedhi
Gokarna .( U K ) - 581326
KARNATAKA.
