Gokarna is a temple town located at a distance of 60 km from Karwar in Uttara Kannada district. Gokarna is a Hindu pilgrimage centre as well as an important tourist destination. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Mahabaleshwar an incarnation of Lord Shiva.

The meaning of Gokarna is Cows Ear . This sacred place is located between the Gangavali and Agnashini river mouth and it is named for the ear-shaped meeting of two rivers. It is also believed that Gokarna gets its name from the legend in which Lord Shiva emerged from the ear of a cow.

The Mahabaleshwar temple at Gokarna is respected as a Shaiva pilgrimage centre than a tourist destination and as important as Kashi and Rameshwara pilgrimage centers for Hindus. Gokarna is also respected as siddi kshetraand Mukti Stala of Karnataka.

According to the legend the Atmalinga brought by Ravana got struck here and his efforts to extract it resulted in his throwing the coverings of the Atma Linga to Dhareshwar Gunavanteshwara

Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. Ravana was unable to extract the Atma Linga from the ground again and finally he called the shiva linga as Mahabala you are too strong . The Atma Linga of Lord Shiva is popularly known as Mahabaleshwar.

The Mahabaleshwar temple is the main attraction at Gokarna. The deity here is two-armed standing and at least 1500 years old. The temple enshrines Mahabaleshwar in a square Saligrama Peetha. A small hole in its middle permits devotees to have a glimpse of the top of the Atma Linga.

Other places to visit at Gokarna
Tamra Gowri shrine
Ganapathi Temple
Chandikeswara
Aadi Gokarneshwara
Dattatreya
Koti theertha


Also located around Gokarna are Dhareshwar Gunavanteshwara Murdeshwar and Shejjeshwar temples. These four temples along with Gokarna Mahabaleshwar temple are respected as the Pancha Kshetras.

Shivaratri festival is celebrated at Gokarna with great enthusiasm. Every year a team constructs up two great temple chariots that are used during the Shivaratri festival. The two great temple chariots lead a procession through the town's narrow streets while priests and pilgrims chant hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.

Distance from Gokarna
Kumta- 35 km
Ankola- 30 km
Karwar- 60 km
Bhatkal-90 km
Mangalore-250 km
Bangalore- 480 km