Trip to Ankola, Gokarna, Murudeshwara & Karwar - May 2009

We made a short visit to some of the places in Uttar Kannad district of Karnataka in May 2009  after attending the wedding of one of our close relatives in  Katayani temple complex in Aversa village  which is located 1 km off NH.17 and 10 kms from Ankola railway station on Konkan Railway.  We reached Madgaon in the morning by Konkan Kanya Express. We reached Ankola at 4.30 p.m. by the afternoon Verna-Manglaore Passenger train.  We reached Aversa by hiring an auto ourside Ankola station.

After attending the wedding ceremony the next day, we stayed overnight at the temple complex guest house. The next day, we hired the only SUV in Aversa village for taking us for sight-seeing in Ankola, Gokarna, Murdueshwar and dropping us at Madgaon railway station the next day. After taking  overnight halt at Shirali's Ganapati temple, we proceeded to Madgaon,  spending some time in Karwar beach and Partagali Mutt in Cancona. We returned to Mumbai by Konkan Kanya Express. 

Here are some pictures of our short trip with descriptions.

View of Katayani Baneshwar temple from temple guest house. The temple is located in Aversa village, Ankola taluka, Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. Katayani Baneshwar is the kildevata ( family deity) of  a section of Gowd Saraswat Brahmins. The temple was originally located in Banavali (Goa). However, due to Portuguese atrocities, devotees maigrated to Aversa along with deity in 15th century.

The frontage of the Katayani Baneshwar temple

Goddess Katayani is regarded as incarnation of Goddess Shree Devi

Laxmi Narayan temple,Hanumatta, Ankola. This is an unique temple in that it has a copper plate roof, a large and spacious hall leading the a beautiful sanctum sanctorum.

Back view of Laxmi Narayan temple, Ankola

Side view of Laxm Narayan temple, Ankola

After Ankola, a 12 kms right side  diversion from NH17  on a bridge over Gangavli river ( picture) on way to Gokarn

Gokarn beach is the nearest to the town and hence many  pilgrims make it a point to visit Gokarn beach after completion of their temple visits. But to our surprise, there were very few people on the beach.

Entrance to Mahabaleshwar temple at Gokurn. This temple is one of seven muktisthala temple in Karnataka.

Om beach, Gokarn

A hill road  seen from a cliff  where there is a watch tower to view Om beach

Ganesh temple on way from Ankola to Murdeshwar.

Murudeshwara temple complex.

Inside Murudeshwara temple complex.

Murdeshwar beach seen from Murdeshwar temple

Murdeshwar temple gopuram which is of 249m height  -  the highest gopuram in Asia.

Murdeshwar beach seen  from temple complex

A flock of crows seems to be having  an evening 'meeting' below Shiva's statue in Murdeshwar temple complex

Crowd at Murdeshwar beach at dusk. 

Golden temple domes inside the temple complex.

Karwar beach.

Ravindranath Tagore Beach Park, Karwar

Kali river towards Devbagh beach side (not visible)

A bridge over Kali River near Karwar

NH17 towards Goa 

Entrance to Gokarn Partagali Mutt, Canacona, Goa.

Gokarn Paratgali Mutt temple door

The main entrance to Gokarn Paratgali Mutt, Canacona, Goa

The dome of Gokarn Paratgali Mutt temple

All pictures by the author