GOKARNAGOKARNA Gokarna is a sacred place of shri shiva. Here Shri Ganesh foundedGokarna is a sacred place of shri shiva. Here Shri Ganesh foundedThe original linga –image of shiva. It is known as Mahabaleshwar. Sreepada sreevallabhaThe original linga –image of shiva. It is known as Mahabaleshwar. Sreepada sreevallabhaWho is the first incarnation of lord dattatreya lived secretly for 3 years at Gokarna before going Who is the first incarnation of lord dattatreya lived secretly for 3 years at Gokarna before going to Nivrithisangam and Kuruvapur and performed penance here. Most of the devotees who areto Nivrithisangam and Kuruvapur and performed penance here. Most of the devotees who areVisiting Gokarna will think that it is a famous kshetra of Lord Shiva. But it is also connected toVisiting Gokarna will think that it is a famous kshetra of Lord Shiva. But it is also connected toLord Dattatreya. As the kshetra is very powerful, shreepada srivallabha has chosen this place Lord Dattatreya. As the kshetra is very powerful, shreepada srivallabha has chosen this place

As suitable and best for observing penance. The main secret is that, he was chosen the placesAs suitable and best for observing penance. The main secret is that, he was chosen the placesFor visiting or for performing penance means they are very powerful places and everyone For visiting or for performing penance means they are very powerful places and everyone should visit all the places in their life time. should visit all the places in their life time. After taking permission form his mother Sumathidevi, Shree pada After taking permission form his mother Sumathidevi, Shree pada Sree vallabha went to Kasi(Varanasi), Badrinarayan and reached Gokarna for obtaining divineSree vallabha went to Kasi(Varanasi), Badrinarayan and reached Gokarna for obtaining divineKnowledge. This place is most important holy place. Gokarna is like Kailash and shri ShivaKnowledge. This place is most important holy place. Gokarna is like Kailash and shri ShivaStays there. All the gods, demons, rishis, munis, siddhas live and worship shri Shiva and thereStays there. All the gods, demons, rishis, munis, siddhas live and worship shri Shiva and thereBy they attain all the four valous (purusharies). Gokarna has great significance. Hence By they attain all the four valous (purusharies). Gokarna has great significance. Hence shripad srivallabha had also been there and stayed there for three years. The linga was shripad srivallabha had also been there and stayed there for three years. The linga was appeared as white in Kritha yuga, in Treta it was in red colour, in Dwapara yellow, and in the appeared as white in Kritha yuga, in Treta it was in red colour, in Dwapara yellow, and in the Kaliyuga it has become black. The root of this linga is the sapta paathaala below. Even withKaliyuga it has become black. The root of this linga is the sapta paathaala below. Even withThe site of this linga one is relieved of the sins of brahmahatya and gets one’s desires fulfilledThe site of this linga one is relieved of the sins of brahmahatya and gets one’s desires fulfillednd after death one attains salvation. The sastras explaining that the devotees staying herend after death one attains salvation. The sastras explaining that the devotees staying hereWill go to Kailash in the end. Will go to Kailash in the end.

The Gokarna kshetra mahatmya was explained in chapter VI and VIIThe Gokarna kshetra mahatmya was explained in chapter VI and VIIOf Sree Gurucharitra. The shiva linga is known as Mahabaleshwar and it is in the shape of earOf Sree Gurucharitra. The shiva linga is known as Mahabaleshwar and it is in the shape of ear of a cow, hence the town is termed as Gokarna. Go means ‘cow’ and karna means ‘ear’. The of a cow, hence the town is termed as Gokarna. Go means ‘cow’ and karna means ‘ear’. The story of Ravanasura-shiva atmalinga was happend here. The same ocean can be observed. story of Ravanasura-shiva atmalinga was happend here. The same ocean can be observed. The temple is very nearer to the Sea, just appearing on the bank of sea. This place is alsoThe temple is very nearer to the Sea, just appearing on the bank of sea. This place is also

Termed as “BHOOKAILASH”. The atmosphere in Gokarna is very cool and calm. The houses inTermed as “BHOOKAILASH”. The atmosphere in Gokarna is very cool and calm. The houses in the town are very attractive and most of the houses are of same type of construction. The the town are very attractive and most of the houses are of same type of construction. The hotels and most of the eatable items/tea&coffee are maintained with great aachara and neat.hotels and most of the eatable items/tea&coffee are maintained with great aachara and neat.

Important days to visitImportant days to visit: It is virtuous to worship here on Maha Shivaratri, Maasa : It is virtuous to worship here on Maha Shivaratri, Maasa sivarathri, Makara Sankrathi day and Kaartheeka maasa Mondays and pournami. In the month sivarathri, Makara Sankrathi day and Kaartheeka maasa Mondays and pournami. In the month of Magha, If one observes fasting on the day of shivaratri and offers “BEL” leaf (Maaredu dala) of Magha, If one observes fasting on the day of shivaratri and offers “BEL” leaf (Maaredu dala) to shri shivalinga, their entrance in the heaven is ensured.lto shri shivalinga, their entrance in the heaven is ensured.l

Conveyance and route to GokarnaConveyance and route to Gokarna :: Gokarna kshetra is situated in the state of :: Gokarna kshetra is situated in the state of Karnataka. There is a direct train from Guntur/Vijayawada (A.P) to Hubli (Karnataka). It is a Karnataka. There is a direct train from Guntur/Vijayawada (A.P) to Hubli (Karnataka). It is a journey of around 14 hours from Vijayawada to Hubli. From Hubli to Gokarna there are direct journey of around 14 hours from Vijayawada to Hubli. From Hubli to Gokarna there are direct busses and journey period is about 31/2 hours. The people coming from busses and journey period is about 31/2 hours. The people coming from Mumbai/Pune/Hyderabad have to getdown at Guntakal and reach Hubli in a separate train. Mumbai/Pune/Hyderabad have to getdown at Guntakal and reach Hubli in a separate train. From Bangalore there are direct busses to Gokarna which are running by KSRTC (Karnataka From Bangalore there are direct busses to Gokarna which are running by KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation)State Road Transport Corporation)

Accomodation facilities at Gokarna:: Full lodging and boarding facilities are available at Gokarna. Private lodges, Choultries and private hotels are also available. Even some priests of the temple are also arranging lodging and boarding facilities at their residence by charging a Nominal cost.

Important places to visit at Gokarna:: Important places to visit at Gokarna::

1.1. Parvathi templeParvathi temple2.2. OM Beach and oceanOM Beach and ocean: The beach appeared to be in the shape of Om (omkaram) when : The beach appeared to be in the shape of Om (omkaram) when

it is observed from Helicopter/Aeroplane. Foreigners are still visiting the beach and it is observed from Helicopter/Aeroplane. Foreigners are still visiting the beach and staying for some days at beach premises. But foregners are not allowed to the inside of staying for some days at beach premises. But foregners are not allowed to the inside of the temple premises. The ocean scenary is very beautiful. The sunset and sunrise is the temple premises. The ocean scenary is very beautiful. The sunset and sunrise is very very loving atmosphere.very very loving atmosphere.

3.3. Ganesh templeGanesh temple: Famous Ganesh temple. Very near darshan like sparsha darshan : Famous Ganesh temple. Very near darshan like sparsha darshan (touching of statue) is allowed. One can see the Yagnopaveetha, shade of sudarshan(touching of statue) is allowed. One can see the Yagnopaveetha, shade of sudarshanChakra, Naagaabharana on the statue can be observed. All these were at the time of Chakra, Naagaabharana on the statue can be observed. All these were at the time of darshan of Shiva to Ganesh at the time of Shiva’s Aatma linga prathistaapana.darshan of Shiva to Ganesh at the time of Shiva’s Aatma linga prathistaapana.

4.4. Mahabaleshwar templeMahabaleshwar temple :: Famous temple of Shiva. As Ravanasura tried his best with :: Famous temple of Shiva. As Ravanasura tried his best with all his best to lift the shiva linga, the linga tooks the shape of an ear of the cow. So it is all his best to lift the shiva linga, the linga tooks the shape of an ear of the cow. So it is known as Gokarna. The devotees are allowed to see the linga in garbhalaya and everyknown as Gokarna. The devotees are allowed to see the linga in garbhalaya and every

One can touch the shivalinga and can offer bel leaves and can perform rudrabhisheka One can touch the shivalinga and can offer bel leaves and can perform rudrabhisheka

with their own hands.with their own hands.5.5. Datta mandirDatta mandir:: The place where Dattatreya performed penance. Now the place is :: The place where Dattatreya performed penance. Now the place is

Termed as Datta mandir. Regular pujas and abhishekas, bhajans are performing in the Termed as Datta mandir. Regular pujas and abhishekas, bhajans are performing in the mandir.mandir.

6.6. ShivmandirShivmandir: This shivamandir is in the town of Gokarna. Shripada shreevallabha : This shivamandir is in the town of Gokarna. Shripada shreevallabha performed abhisheka at that time to this sivalinga. Now it is under control of private performed abhisheka at that time to this sivalinga. Now it is under control of private persons. One have to enquire about this place in the Gokarna. Only limited persons persons. One have to enquire about this place in the Gokarna. Only limited persons only knows. It is advised to contact old aged priests of the temple/town. only knows. It is advised to contact old aged priests of the temple/town.

Temple timingsTemple timings:: Morning 6.00 A,M. to 12.00 P.M. and evening 4.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M.:: Morning 6.00 A,M. to 12.00 P.M. and evening 4.00 P.M. to 8.00 P.M.Daily pujas :: Ekarudrabhisheka, Ekadasarudrabhisheka, Harathi, Bel leaves pujas are Daily pujas :: Ekarudrabhisheka, Ekadasarudrabhisheka, Harathi, Bel leaves pujas are performing in the inside of the temple. Nominal charges are collecting by the temple for performing in the inside of the temple. Nominal charges are collecting by the temple for Pujas/abhishekas. Sahasranama, ashtotra pujas are performing in Parvathi temple. Pujas Pujas/abhishekas. Sahasranama, ashtotra pujas are performing in Parvathi temple. Pujas are also performing in the Ganesh temple.are also performing in the Ganesh temple.

It is advised to contact Sri Ramachandrarao.Jambhe,purohit, radham It is advised to contact Sri Ramachandrarao.Jambhe,purohit, radham street in Gokarna for performing all the pujas/abhishekas. It was observed that he is having street in Gokarna for performing all the pujas/abhishekas. It was observed that he is having good swara of rudra mantras and highly co-operative and respectable person. I am good swara of rudra mantras and highly co-operative and respectable person. I am advising each and every devotee to visit the place Gokarna and have the blessings of Lord advising each and every devotee to visit the place Gokarna and have the blessings of Lord Shiva and Dattatreya.Shiva and Dattatreya.

::::shree dattanugraha prapthirasthushree dattanugraha prapthirasthu:::: :: :: shree eshwaraanugraha praapthirasthushree eshwaraanugraha praapthirasthu::::