GOKARNA

Gokarna is a sacred place of shri shiva. Here Shri Ganesh founded

The original linga –image of shiva. It is known as Mahabaleshwar. Sreepada sreevallabha
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 are
Visiting Gokarna will think that it is a famous kshetra of Lord Shiva. But it is also connected to
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 places
For visiting or for performing penance means they are very powerful places and everyone
should visit all the places in their life time.

After taking permission form his mother Sumathidevi, Shree pada

Sree vallabha went to Kasi(Varanasi), Badrinarayan and reached Gokarna for obtaining divine
Knowledge. This place is most important holy place. Gokarna is like Kailash and shri Shiva
Stays there. All the gods, demons, rishis, munis, siddhas live and worship shri Shiva and there
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
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 with
The site of this linga one is relieved of the sins of brahmahatya and gets one’s desires fulfilled
nd after death one attains salvation. The sastras explaining that the devotees staying here
Will go to Kailash in the end.

The Gokarna kshetra mahatmya was explained in chapter VI and VII

Of 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
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 also
Termed 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
hotels and most of the eatable items/tea&coffee are maintained with great aachara and neat.

Impor tant days to visit : It is virtuous to worship here on Maha Shivaratri, Maasa
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)
to shri shivalinga, their entrance in the heaven is ensured.l

Conveyance and r oute to Gokar na :: 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 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
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
State Road Transport Corporation)

Accomodation facilities at Gokar na :: 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.

Impor tant places to visit at Gokar na::

1. Parvathi temple
2. OM Beach and ocean:
ocean: 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 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 very very loving
atmosphere.
3. Ganesh temple:
temple: Famous Ganesh temple. Very near darshan like sparsha darshan
(touching of statue) is allowed. One can see the Yagnopaveetha, shade of sudarshan
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.

4. Mahabaleshwar temple :: 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 known
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

with their own hands.

5. Datta mandir::
mandir:: The place where Dattatreya performed penance. Now the place is
Termed as Datta mandir. Regular pujas and abhishekas, bhajans are performing in the
mandir.
6. Shivmandir:
Shivmandir: 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 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.

Temple timings :: 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
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
are also performing in the Ganesh temple.

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
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
Shiva and Dattatreya.

::shree dattanug raha prapthirasthu ::

:: shree eshwaraanug raha praapthirasthu ::