Gokarna is one of the seven most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites in Karnataka. The town  full of temples with one of the oldest is the most revered. This temple of Mahabaleshwar with Lord Shiva as the main deity attracts thousands of devotees throughout the year. The temple preserves the original image believed to be Shiva Linga (Atmalinga). Gokarna, primarily a  pilgrimage town has become a tourist destination for its stretch of beautiful sandy beaches. With the influx of foreigners, it is no longer a picturesque temple city, but a prosperous resort as laid-back and low-commercialized as Goa. The Om beach, Half Moon Beach, and Paradise beach add to the beauty and  serenity of the town. Water sports like surfing, scuba diving , snorkeling add to the experience. In fact, many Goan regulars have moved to the pristine beaches of Gokarna, where there are fewer crowds and the beaches are cleaner. There is another small town near Gokarna that offers adventure activities like cycling, trekking, mountaineering etc.