Shiva On The Shore

Connected by a long myth, on a long shoreline, the coastal towns of Gokarna and Murudeshwar in Karnataka are for those holidaymakers who yearn for tranquility.

- Parikshit Rao

India is a contradiction at every step. One of the most magical things to happen here is the possibility of finding peace right in the thick of its famed chaos. When it comes to travelling around the country’s 7,516-km coastline, Goa is the natural, hallowed choice for almost every tourist stepping onto the west coast and landing straight inside a shack in search of King’s beer. Further down south, Kerala beckons those who fly in on chartered flights and tour packages to spend days at a plush resort. Lying smack in the centre of these tourist magnets, Karnataka’s beaches usually get snubbed, as a result of which they have retained much of the tranquility that seasoned travellers prefer on their beach holidays.

Among the many quiet towns and villages that dot coastal Karnataka, Gokarna and Murudeshwar share a laidback, spiritual vibe and great beaches (some undiscovered) that redefine the quintessential idea of a beach vacation. Bonded by a common mythological story, these temple towns are about 75 km away from each other and are a great alternative when you’ve had enough of boisterous barflies and rainbow hunters.

Down to Earth

Gokarna is no stranger to tourists. For decades, bikers and frugal backpackers from Bengaluru and wizened international travellers have considered it to be an alternative to Goa. Between my first visit to Gokarna—10 years ago—to recent years, the unhurried pace of life tinged with spirituality has remained pretty much unchanged.