Gokāk, India
Region: Karnataka
Geographic Coordinates: 16.166700, 74.833300
Temperature Range: 16.0°C to 36.0°C (61°F to 97°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 213000
Language: Kannada
Gokāk is a small town in the Belagavi district of Karnataka, India. It’s situated on the banks of the Ghataprabha River and is famous for its picturesque waterfalls, Ancient temples, And rich cultural heritage. One of the main attractions in Gokāk is the Gokak Falls. The waterfall cascades down from a height of 171 feet and creates a misty atmosphere around it. The view during monsoon season when it’s at full flow is breathtakingly beautiful. Visitors can enjoy boating and fishing in the river below or take a dip in one of several natural pools formed by the falls.
The town also has an impressive array of ancient temples that reflect its rich history and culture. Among them are Mahalingeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Veerabhadreshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, And Tripurantaka Temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Gokāk played an important role in India’s freedom struggle as well. In 1924, Mahatma Gandhi visited this town during his tour across India to promote Swadeshi movement which aimed at boycotting foreign goods and promoting indigenous products. Apart from its natural beauty and historical significance, Gokāk also has a thriving agricultural industry with sugarcane being one of its major crops.
The town houses several sugar factories including Godavari Sugar Mills Ltd., Which was established way back in 1939. Another popular attraction near Gokāk is Hidkal Dam located just about 10 km away from the town center. Built on river Markandeya, This dam provides irrigation facilities for nearby farmlands as well as serves as a popular picnic spot for locals. Gokāk offers visitors an opportunity to experience nature’s beauty along with exploring its rich cultural heritage through various temples dotted around this small town.
Its proximity to Hidkal Dam and other nearby attractions makes it a perfect weekend getaway for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
- Gokak Falls
- Godchinamalaki Falls
- Hidkal Dam
- Mahalingeshwara Temple
- Shri Sadguru Dattatreya Narasimha Saraswati Swamy Matha
- Hanuman Temple
- Yogi Ghat
- Belagavi Fort
- Military Mahadeva Temple
- Ramlingkhind Jain Temple
- Agriculture: Gokāk is known for its sugarcane and rice cultivation.
- Sugar factories: There are several sugar factories in Gokāk that process sugarcane into sugar.
- Textile industry: The town has a number of textile mills that produce cotton fabrics.
- Paper mills: There are paper mills in the area that manufacture paper products such as notebooks, envelopes, and printing paper.
- Plywood industry: The plywood industry is also present in Gokāk, producing plywood sheets for construction purposes.
- Dairy farming: Dairy farming is another important source of income for the people of Gokāk.
- Small-scale industries: A number of small-scale industries such as soap manufacturing, candle making, and handicrafts production also exist in the town.
- The Battle of Gokak: In 1791, the British East India Company fought a battle against Tipu Sultan’s army at Gokak. The British emerged victorious in this battle.
- Appasaheb Jedhe: Appasaheb Jedhe was a prominent freedom fighter from Maharashtra who played an important role in the Indian independence movement. He was born in Gokak.
- Raghavendra Swami: Raghavendra Swami was a Hindu saint and philosopher who lived during the 17th century. He is regarded as one of the greatest saints of his time and is worshipped by many Hindus today.
- Kaka Kalelkar: Kaka Kalelkar was an Indian freedom fighter, social reformer, and writer who played an important role in shaping modern India’s political landscape. He spent his early years in Gokak.
- Basavaraj Bommai: Basavaraj Bommai is an Indian politician and current Chief Minister of Karnataka state since July 2021 who hails from Gokak constituency which he represents as MLA for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
- Ravi Belagere : Ravi Belagere (March 15, 1958 – November 13,2020) was a journalist from Karnataka known for his work on Kannada tabloids such as Hi Bangalore ,O Manase! etc .He hailed from Hirebagewadi village near to ghataprabha taluk which comes under belgaum district nearby gokak.
These are some of the most notable historical events and people associated with Gokāk, India that have left their mark on history or contributed significantly to society or culture in various ways over time.
- Godachinmalki Falls
- Gokak Falls
- Mahalingeshwara Temple
- St. Mary’s Church
- Basaveshwar Statue
- Shri Ramkrishna Ashram
- Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary
- Sural Waterfall
- Bheemalingeswara Temple
- Mahashivaratri – a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva celebrated in February or March.
- Ganesh Chaturthi – a 10-day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha.
- Dussehra – a Hindu festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
- Diwali – also known as the Festival of Lights, it is celebrated by lighting diyas (oil lamps) and fireworks.
- Ugadi – a New Year’s Day celebration for people from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states.
- Navaratri – a nine-day festival dedicated to Goddess Durga, symbolizing feminine power and energy.
- Karaga Festival- A unique annual event that takes place in Bangalore every year where people carry pots on their heads with flowers decorated on them to honour Draupadi Amman; an incarnation of Goddess Shakti.
Please note that this list may not be comprehensive or up-to-date as cultural events and festivals may change each year based on local customs and traditions.
- Jowar Bhakri: A traditional flatbread made from sorghum flour, served with various curries and chutneys.
- Kunda: A sweet dessert made from milk solids, sugar, and cardamom.
- Dharwad Peda: A popular sweet dish made from khoya (milk solids), sugar, and cardamom.
- Hotel Shantala: Known for its delicious South Indian thali and biryani.
- Hotel Shivneri: Famous for its spicy chicken dishes and vegetarian thalis.
- The Royal Treat Family Restaurant: Offers a variety of North Indian dishes including kebabs, tandoori chicken, and biryani.
- Amrut Tasty Corner: Serves delicious street food like vada pav (spicy potato fritters in a bun) and chaat (savory snacks).
- Annapurna Restaurant: Specializes in seafood dishes like fish fry, prawn curry, and crab masala.
- New Delhi Darbar Restaurant: Offers a range of North Indian specialties like butter chicken, naan breads, and paneer tikka masala.
- Bhavani’s Kitchen : Known for its authentic Karnataka-style meals including jolada rotti (sorghum flatbread), ennegai palya (stuffed eggplant curry), bisi bele bath (spicy lentil rice), etc.
- Gokak Falls: This is a popular tourist spot and picnic area with a beautiful waterfall.
- Godachinamalki Falls: Another waterfall that is popular for trekking and picnicking.
- Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary: A wildlife sanctuary that offers trekking, bird watching, and nature walks.
- Hidkal Dam: This is a scenic dam where visitors can enjoy boating and fishing.
- Kote Kere Lake: A serene lake where visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and picnicking.
- Chikka Basadi Jain Temple: An ancient temple known for its intricate carvings and architecture.
- Shri Siddheshwar Temple: A famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva that attracts many devotees.
- Hanuman Temple Gokak Falls Road: Another popular temple known for its peaceful surroundings and beautiful architecture.
- Nehru Rose Garden: This is a well-maintained garden with a variety of roses and other flowers that is perfect for a leisurely stroll or picnic.
- Adventure Sports at River Rafting Hub (Dandeli): Located nearby Dandeli town which offers various adventure sports like river rafting, kayaking etc.
