Go means cow and Karn means ear, thus Gokarn means "cow's ear". This Kshetra is situated in Uttar Karnaatak area. Its coastline is surrounded by natural beauty of five beaches (Gokarn Beach, Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach) and hills along side. Gokarn is located between the Gangaavalee and Agha-naashinee River mouth and it is named for the ear-shaped confluence of two rivers. It is regarded as Siddhi Kshetra.

Gokarn Kshetra is a sacred place for Shiv. Ganesh Jee founded here the original Ling of Shiv. It is known as Mahaabaleshwar and it is in the shape of an ear of a cow that is why this Kshetra is known as Gokarn Kshetra. The beach here appears to be in the shape of Om (Omkaar) when it is observed from helicopter or airplane. Another greatness of Gokarn is that the sea water is not salty there compared to natural flavor of the sea water.

Legends to Gokarn Kshetra
(1) Raavan Legend
Raavan's carrying of Shiv's Aatm Ling happened here only - read this story at Mahaabaleshwar under the heading "Legend of Gokarn".

(2) Parashuraam Legend-1
This story is from Naarad Puraan, 2/16. When Raajaa Sagar's son were looking for their father's Ashwamedh Yagya's horse, they dug the whole Prithvi, so sea came 30 Yojan inside and submerged the land. Many Rishi became homeless so they went to Mahendra Parvat and requested Parashuraam Jee to regain that land. Parashuraam Jee came, called Devtaa of sea, Varun Dev, and said to him - "This land belongs to these Rishi, so you move from this place." But Varun did not come then he picked his bow and arrow and kept the Agni Baan (Fire Arrow) to dry the sea. Varun Dev got frightened and came with folding hands. Parashuraam Jee ordered him to move from the Gokarn's Teerth and he moved from that place.

(3) Parashuraam Legend-2
Yet another legend says that when Parashuraam Jee had stopped killing Kshatriya, he did a severe penance, and after the penance he threw his axe in the midst of the ocean. The waves foamed and frothed as a axe-shaped land extending from Gokarn to Kanyaa Kumaaree surfaced from the depths of the sea to form the state Kerala and hence the sobriquet - "Gods own Country". He made and worshipped at the 108 Shiv Kshetra all over the South Western coast of India, of which 105 exist in modern Kerala, followed by one in Sucheendram, Tamilnaadu, two in Karnaatak namely Kollur and Gokarn. These temples have special sanctity.

(4) Dattaatreya Legend
Shreepaad Vallabh, who is supposed to be the first incarnation of Dattaatreya secretly lived here for 3 years and perform penance here. Thus this Kshetra is not only related to Shiv Jee but also to Dattaatreya Jee too. It is like Kailaash as Shiv lives here also, that is why it is called as "Bhoo Kailaash" too. All Devtaa, Asur, Rishi, Muni, Siddh worship Shiv here and attain all four Purushaarth (Dharm, Arth, Kaam and Moksh) here. The Ling appeared in Krit Yug as white, it became red in Tretaa Yug, yellow in Dwaapar Yug and black in Kali Yug, The root of this Ling is believed to reach the seven Lok below. It clears even the sin of Brahm Hatyaa. Its greatness has been described in the chapters of VI and VII of Shree Guru Charit.

(5) Raam Bhoj Legend
There is another legend related to this field, that in one of the Kshetra a King called 'Raam Bhoj worshipped Parashuraam. He was the ruler of the lands between Gokarn and Kanyaa Kumaaree and was proclaimed King of the entire Parashuraam Kshetra. Once he decided to perform an Ashwamedh Yagya and plowed the land but mistakenly killed a serpent. However the serpent was a demon. To repent this sin Parashuraam Jee directed the King to build a big silver pedestal with the image of a serpent at each of its four corners and to worship him who would be seated in spirit on the pedestal and also to distribute gold equal to his own weight (Tulaa Bhaar) to deserving persons. Raam Bhoj did likewise and performed the Ashwamedh Yagya successfully. At its conclusion Parashuraam Jee appeared and declared that he was very pleased with the Yagya and that henceforth the sacrificial land "Roopya Peeth" (silver pedestal) (present day Udupee ) would become a famous centre of pilgrimage. This land is also known as 'Taulav' land because Raam Bhoj performed 'Tulaa Bhaar'.