Gokarna, India - A paradise on earth

There are places in the world that have stopped moving ahead. Before we judged the ‘kind’ of movement, hear me out. The places I refer to, reserve things from the past for the future to boast about. When they try embracing the new and advent, they are deep down dolling in the reminiscent of their culture and past for the traveler on his prima facie, all geared up for him to fall in love.

Make way people, I refer here to Gokarna, India.

Gokarna never occupied a place in the tourist map of India. It is indeed not a beachside party town with the grooviest of people around. It is a temple town with the best beaches in the country! Gokarna has four beaches in total ; Kudle, Gokarna, Paradise and Half Moon beaches, wherein each these have their own special charm. When the HalfMoon beach has a lot of hippie crown, Kudle is frequented by families and budget travellers.

Early mornings, the narrow lane leading to the temple in Gokarna town has cows chewing cud and roaming all over. With just one ATM at a nook of this narrow road, we wonder if we went back in time. Shops have wooden shutters that the owners dismantle in patience. Flower sellers and refreshment stalls open, owners praying the abodes for a good sale that day. Chants rise from the temple early morning and then the air turns spiritual at a go. A fisherwoman walks past the winding hill road with basket full of mackerel; fresh from the sea.

As we walk by and reach the top of Yoga hill, we see the beautiful beach of Ohm, majestically merging the horizon and assuring you, that you are indeed in a paradise!

I wanted to get lazy; doze off listening to the sea and talk to the waves, see a million stars above me at night, tickle my taste buds with fresh sea food, walk barefoot on the night sand at Kudle, be there; witness life. Gokarna was just the right place to be!

Gokarna has small beachside shack houses at Kudle beach for backpackers. These are super-cozy, warm and very reasonable for a budget traveler. For a meagre amount of INR 150/- per day this was a bargain indeed!

Trekking through the Yoga hill to Ohm beach and Gokarna beach for that adrenaline rush, sipping cold coconut water at the beachfront for the immense pleasure it gives, hogging on some brilliant seafood over candles and wine and shopping for curios and accessories; my prayers for a fabulous holiday were answered. At night, in the cold air, one sits on the chilling beach sand, the galaxy up above looking down on you, playing the guitar and enjoying the waves that come by; Magical !

Gayatri Nair

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