India, Karwa District, Gokarna. Half Moon Beach - one of several beaches outside the pilgrimage town of Gokarna. Gokarna is situated on the west coast on India, south of Goa. Go-karna literally means cow's ear in Hindi and Sanskrit. This name is believed to derive from mythological legend, in which Lord Shiva emerges from an ear of a cow. This village is formed in between two rivers, which flow together and form a landmass shaped like a cow's ear. This place is famous for religious Hindu rituals, as well as it's wonderful beaches.