Gokarna - the town, temples and then some

Gokarna - known because of the Atma linga of Shiva - a repeating legend in India - shaped like a cows ear - is a spiritual center of India.

The main temple - the Mahabaleshwar temple is a pristine old temple  - atleast 1500 years old and is the centre of the town. This temple is unique because it allows devotees to go inside the sanctum sanctorum and touch the linga.

Just around the corner is the Tamara Gauri temple - the consort of Shiva.

The Ganesha temple is next door - and the form of the Ganesha is unique among all the temples I have seen. This temple is supposed to be visited first before you visit Mahabaleshwara...

The Venkataramana temple - has a beautiful moorti - and it is a quiet peaceful temple (was when we went atleast)...

And finally the Bhadrakali temple - which we felt had a distinctly Maharashtrian flavour to it...

And while you are there, dont miss eating at Pai Hotel (not be confused with Pai Restaurant - where we could not go to because we loved the former) for their simple, fresh and delicious food.

Tiruvannamalai

Tiruvannamalai is just about 200 kms from Bangalore. It is the easiest of destinations to go to. If you are anywhere on the Hosur road or on the road leading to Hosur road, there is a bus every few minutes to Tiruvannamalai - more than some of Bangalores internal services. The buses also look pretty similar - if you are looking to travel in plush comfort to this place, forget it. 

But then Tiruvannamalai is not your average tourist destination - it is more spiritual than anything else. It is home to three famous things (more if you know the place better). Arunachala hill, the Tiruvannamalai temple and Ramanasramam - pretty much in chronological order. 

While you are there, do not forget the 14 km circumambulation of the abovementioned hill.

As a destination it is pretty spartan. The town is laid back, the ashram even more so and the sprinkling of foreigners of different nationalities makes it look like a mini Pondicherry. The place can get pretty crowded during the season which is around December timeframes - Karthigai. 

Yes, but if you have not heard nor interested in any of the above three highlights and really are looking for yet another place to eat paneer butter masala, do the town a favour and skip the place.