GOKARNA

The Om Beach and the Kutle Beach nearby are also worth a visit. Gokarna is also a famous Sanskrit learning centre.

Religious Attractions
Atmalinga: Gokarna is famous for the Atmalinga in the ancient temple here. According to legend, Lord Ganapathi tricked Ravana into putting down the Linga after long penance.

But Ravana was unable to lift the Linga from the ground again. And ever since the Linga came to be known as Mahabala.

Yana:
Yana, a huge natural cave with a Bhairava Linga. The ash like dust around the two black limestone hills of Mohini Shikhara and Bhairava Shikhara is believed to be the ashes of Bhasmasura killed here by Mohini.

Thamrapami Theertha:
People come from all over to immerse the ashes of their dear ones in the Thamrapami Theertha here. This centre of Sanskrit learning has a Tourism Department Guest House atop a hill overlooking the sea.

Belekeri:
Situated 8 kms away from Ankola is an old port of Belekin with the long stretches of unexplored beaches. Situated at the bay of the river Belekin, the port is used for shipping bamboo, wood etc.

The place has two temples of Jenubeera and Ishwara and also an old inscription dating back to the 15th century.