Think Ganesha temples and the Ashtavinayak and Siddhivinayak shrines flash in your mind. And then there is Ganpatipule, a quiet destination that is filled with fanfare during the Ganesha festival.

Gokarna isn't trying to be the next Goa-and that's exactly why it's worth your time. Tucked away along Karnataka's rugged coastline, this small temple town knows how to do slow travel right. One ...