OM Beach
Om Beach Gokarna is a marvelous beach to pay a visit. The beach got its name because it is shaped like the auspicious Om sign, a spiritual Hindu symbol. Om beach is the only naturally Om shaped beach. It is considered one of the most important places for fulfillment spiritually, physically and emotionally. There are some really basic huts and some chai shops to eat at. Many Indian pilgrims visit Om beach on holidays to see the sites. Water sports activities on the beach provide wonderful experience to the visitors, the activities including surfing, skiing and banana boat cruises are available and can be arranged under the supervision of qualified and experienced instructors.
Om Beach Gokarna is listed among best 20 beaches of Asia.: There’s more to Om Beach at the coastal town of Gokarna than sand and sea. Gokarna, which is the site of one of India’s most sacred Shiva shrines, is a major stop on the Hindu pilgrimage circuit and Om Beach offers a fascinating glimpse into Hindu religious life. The craggy bay is named for resembling the Hindu symbol for oneness and peace, and is backed by coconut palms and verdant hills. Downtown Gokarna is rich with old-world charm, with bare-chested Brahmin priests wandering about, and chillum-smoking masses.
About Gokarna:
Gokarna is a town in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka state, India with a permanent population exceeding 25,000 in 2001. It is a Hindu pilgrimage centre as well as a popular tourist destination. Gokarna is a temple town and is referred to in a number of Hindu historical literature pieces. The main deity is Lord Mahabhaleshwara, a form of the Hindu god Shiva. Around the town lie a number of beaches which serve as a major attraction for travellers. Gokarna means Cow’s Ear. It is believed that Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow (Prithvi, the Mother Earth) here. It is also located at the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini. Gokarna is also famous for its beautiful beaches and landscapes. The main beaches in Gokarna are the Gokarna beach (also known as Indian Beach), Main Beach, Kuddle Beach, Om Beach, Half moon Beach and Paradise Beach (also known as Full moon). The Gokarna beach forms the coast of the town and is followed by Main beach in northern direction while the other four beaches lie to the south of Gokarna. Gokarna Beach is mainly used by Indian pilgrims. Main Beach is a long open beach, also known for surfing. Kuddle and Om are around 6 km from Gokarna town along a muddy hill; they are accessible by rickshaw or foot. Half moon and Paradise are beyond Om beach and are accessible only by foot or boat. Om beach is named so because it is shaped like the auspicious ॐ [Om] symbol. Om beach is the only naturally Om shaped beach. Two other beaches – Paradise and Half Moon – are smaller and remote beaches.
Location: Gokarna is about 453 km from Bangalore, 238 km north of Mangalore and about 59 km from Karwar. It is between the Gangavali and Agnashini rivers and situated along the Karwar coast by the Arabian Sea. It is 200 km north from the college towns of Suratkal and Manipal.
Gokarna can be reached by buses and maxicabs from Kumta (36 km), Ankola (26 km) and Karwar (59 km) on National Highway 17( NH-17 ). Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) also runs long-journey buses from many cities like Panaji, Bangalore and Mangalore. Private buses (Vijayanand Roadlines – VRL, Sugama, Sea Bird, etc.) operate night journeys from the capital city of Bangalore to Gokarna daily. It can be reached by train Konkan Railway on the Mumbai to Mangalore route. The railway station ( called Gokarna Road ) is 6 km away from the town. The nearest airports are Dabolim at Goa and Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe.
Please call Mangalore Taxi at +91-9972722878 to book Taxi to visit Om Beach Gokarna.