About Gokarna
Gokarna is just 10 kilometers from Kathmandu City, situated beyond Boudhanath, in the northern region of the Kathmandu Valley. It lies within a serene forest area, with the main attraction being the majestic Gokarna Mahadev temple complex.
Located adjacent to a cleaner section of the Bagmati River, the temple complex escaped damage during the 2015 earthquake. It is encircled by an extensive array of stone statues, funeral ghats, and unique shrines that are not commonly found elsewhere in Nepal.
Gokarna is accessible if you bypass the mid-morning and afternoon traffic congestion in Kathmandu. For those interested in nature, the surrounding protected area offers ample opportunities for hiking. Culture enthusiasts will find Gokarna to be a lesser-known gem that can easily be incorporated into their itinerary.
Gokarna is an ideal half-day excursion from Kathmandu City. Whether you choose to rent a car/taxi or take a local bus, the journey is straightforward and convenient.
Did you know?
There are several "tour operators" who offer trips to Gokarna. Unless you like tours, they are not necessary and quite expensive.
My
guidebook
to Nepal contains
extensive heritage
information and walk
through to Gokarna at a
fraction of the cost.
Getting to Gokarna
There are several transportation methods to Gokarna, depending on your budget and schedule.
Buses run from the Ratna bus area approximately every 30 minutes and are the most budget-friendly way to Gokarna (costing 25 rupees). However, in 2023, these buses depart from the roads, making them challenging to locate. The bus stop next to the hospital currently transports passengers to Gokarna—details can be found in my Nepal guidebook. Taxis can be scarce in Gokarna. Booking a two-way taxi ride from Kathmandu can cost between 1600 to 2000 rupees and may involve waiting times.
An alternative is to hire a taxi in Gokarna and return via bus.
For full details, please read my free online guide on getting to Gokarna.
Things to See & Do in Gokarna
Nearly all trips to Gokarna begin from just outside the main Gokarna Mahadev temple complex. The bus from Kathmandu will drop you off here, provided you request it. Alternatively, the bus stops at a terminal around the corner from the temple. Simply take a left from the bus stop and follow the road back to the temple if you disembark at the bus stop.
If the bus or taxi drops you off outside the temple complex, there are two entrances to choose from. The most popular is the main entrance at the bottom of the hill to the right. There's a large open area there, followed by a small gate just in front of the temple. The building to your left before the gate is the ticket office (you might need to call out to summon the attendant).
The second entrance is just before the main entrance to the right, near the store where people wait for a bus back to Kathmandu. There are a series of steps leading down to the temple complex. At the bottom to the right is a building that usually houses someone who issues tickets.
Gokarna Temple Complex:
The Gokarna temple complex is relatively small but is one of the most feature-filled complexes in all of Nepal.
The main temple takes center stage, but surrounding it is a collection of statues and sculptures that outnumber many other places in the country.
In front of the temple are the ghats which you can walk along up to the suspension bridge. It's worth crossing over to the mid point of the bridge to get a great look at the temple area. To the left are several other fascinating shrines which we'll also take a look at below.
It's customary to walk clockwise around the temple. Though walking back and forth is fine when looking at the statues and shrines.
Gokarna temple (Gokarneshwor):
The tall three-roof temple was built in its current form in 1582. It is said the actual temple dates back further due to the areas royal history throughout the ages. The temple is dedicated to Shiva in Mahadev form (Shiva’s “great god” form).
Along the
front of the temple there is an
impressive golden
door and even more wonderful
torana above it.
The torana depicts Shiva and
his consort Parvati at the
center in the Uma Maheshwar
position (Parvati on Shiva’s
knee leaning on him). Above
them is Garuda.
Behind the door is the inner
sanctum which is
usually locked and contains a
revered Shiva lingam.
Statues around Gokarna Complex:
Surrounding the Gokarna temple are dozens of Hindu and Nepali statues. The large statues with circular bases have depictions of Hindu gods that are not found elsewhere.
To the side
near the main entrance is a statue
depicting Shashthi, next to it on
the right is Durga, then Mahagauri
(Durga), then one more of Durga
the mother goddess again. 
Finally
we come back to Shiva’s trident.
At the front of the temple past
the golden door is Ganesh, then a
lone Hanuman followed up by a
unique statue of Krishna with a
Gopi (one of his maiden
followers).
On the far side of the temple near the steps you'll find a rare statue of Indra on an elephant.
To the rear there is a Nandi statue which in itself is unusually placed as it's normally located to the front of a Shiva temple.
Parvati's Shrine:
In the rear side corner is a small shrine to Shiva's wife Parvati. The shrine is usually open and there's a statue of Parvati inside dressed in a sari like dress.
Reclining Narayan:
To the front of the temple and down the steps by the river you'll come across an unusual stone statue of Narayan lying on a bed of snakes.
Vishnu Shrine:
To the left
is a temple like building which is
dedicated to and Vishnu known as
Vishnu Paduka. Inside there’s a
statue to Vishnu along with a set
of his foot prints.
Tree Shrine:
Walk
around the Vishnu temple to a
series of shrines and you'll
quickly come across one of the
best tree shrines in all Nepal.
Most likely this small Shiva
shrine looked like the others
beside it until a seed landed and
this large trees vast root system
took hold. Inside the shrine is a
small stone Shiva lingam.
Ghats in Gokarna:
The Bagmati river opens up in front of you as stone steps lead down the ghats. As you walk towards the bridge you’ll pass the old ghats where cremations still take place today. Up ahead and closer to the bridge are more modern ghats. Do be aware that cremations take place and taking photos of them is not appropriate. From the top of the bridge you should get a great view looking back at the temple an
Around Gokarna:
If you are
after a round of gold at a premier
location then the Gokarna Forest
Resort Golf Range should be a
familiar name to you. Designed by
same people who created Gleneagles
in Scotland it’s a premier course.
Costs range from 5,000/7,000
rupees for 18 holes during
weekdays and weekends. Equipment
rental starts at 2,000 rupees.
Entrance Fees to Gokarna
There is no entrance fee to visit Gokarna. However, to enter the Gokarna temple complex, there's a 100 rupee ticket. Get the ticket from either the main entrance or the one near the bottom of the main road steps.
Map of Gokarna
Full directions to Gokarna, maps, and diagrams of the temple complex are available in my guidebook below.
Restaurants in Gokarna
Restaurants are virtually nonexistent in Gokarna in terms of tourist meals. There are a few local cafes serving food near the bus stop at the top of the steps leading to the temple complex. It's best to stick with basics here, like noodles.
Accommodation in Gokarna
There is very little accommodation available in Gokarna. The area is close enough to Boudhanath and Kathmandu to avoid having to stay there overnight.
That said, there is a resort nearby. Gokarna Forest Resort offers rooms starting at USD $100+. You can check the Gokarna Forest Resort pricing here.
For those on a budget wanting to stay in the area, consider Tranquil Home Stay. It offers 6 clean rooms and very welcoming hosts, providing a peaceful stay. Located near Shiksyalaya School and Nepal Engineering College. Tranquil Homestay pricing and bookings can be made here.
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