How to reach Gokarna: Gokarna is well-connected to Bangalore, Mangalore and Karwar.

Regular buses ply from Kumata, Karwar, Goa and Mangalore. Distance to Gokarna; From Karwar: 60 Kms From Kumata: 32 Kms From Bangalore: 460 Kms From Mangalore : 225 Kms Konkan Railway passes through Gokarna (10 km from the town) ADDRESS : Samsthana Shree Mahabaleshwara Deva, Gokarna Post Gokarna, Kumta Taluk, Uttara Kannada District 581 326 Karnataka info@srigokarna.org : 08386 257981 : +91 9449258114 Proper name: Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna Location Country: India State: Karnataka District: Uttara Kannada District Locale: GokarnaHow to Reach :

By Road: On NH-17, 453 km from Bangalore, 240 km north of Mangalore and about 59 km from Karwar. Nearest Town : Karwar Nearest Railway station : Gokarna (6kms) Nearest Airport: Goa Gokarna can be reached by buses and maxi-cabs from Kumta(36 km), Ankola(25km) and Karwar(59km) on national highway 17( NH-17 ). Karnataka state road transport corporation also runs long journey buses from many cities like Goa, Bangalore and Mangalore. Private buses(Vijayanad RoadLines-VRL, Sugama, SeaBird) operate night journeys from the capital city of Bangalore to Gokarna daily. It can be reached by train also. The devotees always bath in the sea before entering into the temple, as according to the Hindu mythology it is said that one should purify his body and mind before making any prayer to God. There is also a shivlinga made of sand which the devotees worship. , , .

Main Deity

Sri Mahableshwar (Lord Shiva)

Famous names Theertham District Glory River

One of the best known Siddhi Kshetras besides Rameshwaram and Kashi. Koti-theertham North Kannada More than 1500 years old Temple presides between the Gangavali and Agnashini rivers.

Sri Tamra Gouri (Goddess Parvathi) Lord Vigneshwara prevented Ravana from taking Aatma Specialty Linga to Lanka from here. ThirugyAna Sampandhar Sung by Mukti Sthal, expiates Importance Brahmahathi Dosha (killing of a brahmin). Goddess

The idol of Lord Ganesha is an ancient one and the legend goes to reveal that Devas, frightened that taking the Aatma Linga by Ravana to Lanka would heap unusual power and thus sought the help of Lord Ganesha to prevent him to take the idol to Lanka. Known among 7 'Siddhi Kshetras' - Shiva-Gokarnam - among the 3 (representing three-guna or the avatars of the Supreme Brahman. The other 2 being Pushkar (Brahma), Shalagram (Vishnu). The Atmalinga is placed here. The Lord has manifested on His own here and the temple is facing West, a rare feature and considered to be more auspicious. Lord Rudra performed penance in the Paatalaloka (Underworld) and eventually returned through the ear of Mother Earth, thus blessed her with the name of Go (Cow) Karna (Ear). It is also located at the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers Gangavali and Aghanashini. Devotees visit this shrine and also this place is visited to perform last rites for the departed souls. Goddess Uma is fondly called Thaamira Gowri and the Lord's name is Mahabaleshwar. Lord Shiva dwells as the Holy Hill in Himalayas, while Goddess Parvathi remains in the form of River; likewise Lord Shiva blesses in the form of Hill and Goddess runs in the form of River in front of the temple. Parikrama is famous on all Shiva temples where He dwells in the Hill; however, here it is not possible as Goddess Parvathi is in the form of River and crossing the river is considered a sin. Marriage obstacles are removed by taking bath in the river and worship Lord Shiva. This place is also called 'Rudra Bhoomi', the name was derived by an ardent request by Lord Vishnu to Lord Rudra to dwell in this place. Maha Ganapathi Temple built in honour of Lord Ganesha who deceived demon Ravana and small temples are surrounded nearby with Uma Maheshwari temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Varadaraja temple, TamraGowri Temple, Venkataramana Temple. Kotiteertha is a man-made tank that is used for immersion of idols and ritual bathing. Shivaratri festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm, more than 25,000 people throng the small town and two great temple chariots lead a procession through narrow street with devotees pulling the chariots with much devotion. Tamil saint Nayanars Appar and Sambanthar praised the deity in their hymns Thevaram (garland of hymns) and this is the only temple in Karnataka sung by these saints.

CONTACT : Administrator, Shri Samsthana Mahabala Deva, Gokarna, PO : Gokarna Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, India . Email: info@srigokarna.org phone: +91-9449595208, temple Telephone: 08386-256167, 257167. Morning 6.00 am temple opens, closes at 12.30 noon ,Evening 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm You can reach from Karwar : 60 kms, Kumata: 32 Kms, from Bangalore: 460 Kms, from Mangalore: 225 Kms, from Konkan Railway station 10 kms. To Book your train,

Private buses also ply and details are as follows :SRI KUMAR, Private Bus: 2+1 sleeper, 7.15 pm from Gokarna and reaching at Bangalore at 6.30 am - Ph: 9449710485 SRL Travels, Lalbhag West Gate, RV Road, Bangalore : Ph: (080)26677142, (080)22975440 Route: B'Lore, Shivmoga, Sagar, Honnavar, Kumta, Gokarna. VRL, 2+1 Sleeper, 7.30 pm from Jayanagara 9th Block, B'Lore (080)22971272 www.vrllogistics.com VRL, 2+1 Sleeper, 7.15 pm from Gokarna VRL Travels, Rathbeedi Gokarna,

You can also get direct buses to Gokarna from Ankola or Kumta or take tempos. Buses from Karwar at 7 am, 8 am and 4 pm available. Direct bus from Goa (5 hours) availabel at 8 am.

There is a direct bus leaving to Mangalore (about 253 km) at 7 am and from Bangalore and Mysore varieties of buses available. TRAIN book your ticket through internet-----> http://www.irctc.co.in Train services from various destinations - check and book now...... http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/1776 or www.southernrailway.org www.konkanrailway.com TRAIN FROM VARIOUS PLACES : GOKARNA ROAD RAILWAY STATION PHONE NUMBER :(CODE: 08386) 279487 Konkan Railway passes very close to Gokarna, Express trains do stop at Karwar, Kumta (23 km) and Ankola (25 km). The passenger train stops at Gokarna Road (10 km). Buses available from Gokarna at 11 am to meet the train going to Margao at 11.30 am. Gokarna Road Station is 9 km from the town of Gokarna.

LODGING DETAILS KSTDC Hotel Samudra (tel: 088386 56236), Gokarna International (088386 56622) KSTDCs Hotel Samudra (TEL: 56236): On a hill overlooking the sea 2km from town, has clean rooms with bath for Rs 150 for a double and Rs 250 for a room with four beds. New Prasad Nilaya (56250, 57135), about half a km from temple, is a modern place with clean rooms with bath for Rs.200 and 250. Hot water available. Gokarna International (088386 56622): on the main road, has modern rooms with hot water and a nice balcony for Rs 250/300 up to Rs 750 for an A/C deluxe room. It overlooks a palm tree grove. It is a good place. Checkout time up to 4 pm. Recommended. OM LODGE (56445) has basic rooms with bath Rs.175 and A/c Rs.400

WHERE CAN I EAT? PREMA - this is a decent pure Veg. eatable place, located across from the Main Shiva temple HOTEL PAI - Main Street has good, competitive vegetarian meals and Dosas/snacks. SHRI RAGHAVENDRA : Good veg. food HOTEL VINAYA : on the Main street, veg. food. VISHWA NIWAS : Recommended for breakfasts SHRI SHAKTI COLD DRINKS: Car street, near temple, Fresh Juice, homemade cheese, breads and cakes