If you have been to Goa and found it to be too crowded and loud for you; if you are not too much of a party person and are looking for an idyllic weekend on the serene beaches, Gokarna is going to be a paradise for you. It is a small coastal town in Karnataka with ravishing beaches. It is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus (sometimes called Kashi of the south) and is home to some very old temples like Mahabaleshwar temple. It is around 100 Kilometers to the south of Goa and is well connected by road as well as railways.

There are four splendid beaches in Gokarna for holidaying purposes: Om beach, Kudle beach, Half moon beach and Paradise beach. There is another beach called Gokarna beach near the temple area which mostly the pilgrims visit. If you are not very religious, you can skip the Gokarna beach and head towards the Kudle beach.

Kudle beach is the largest of the four beaches surrounded by the rocky hills. You can trek down the hills to reach the beach. The next beach in the line is Om beach which again is a pilgrim’s destination as it is shaped like the Hindu spiritual symbol Om (somewhat like the digit 3). You can trek from one to the other beach in Gokarna or take a boat ride. Kudle and Om beach are the more famous beaches in Gokarna. The other two are more secluded and smaller in size, a destination for the ones seeking peace and serenity.

But one thing that’s a given is all the beaches are worth a visit, each being beautiful in its own way. The water is clean and blue. The beaches are outlined by the lush green vegetation comprising coconut and palm trees. Some basic shacks are available to spend a night on all the beaches for very low rates and succulent food is served in the cafes. Do not miss the fresh sea food and vegetarian food cooked in the distinct flavours of the south Indian spices. You can make a bonfire on the beach at night and enjoy the cool balmy breeze sitting under the stars. Let your worries fade away while you enjoy the nature at its best in Gokarna!