When the all-powerful demon called Vetrasur conquered the three lokas, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva devised a strategy to defeat him. They created a feminine warrior called Durge. Various gods gifted her with special powers to fight Vetrasur. After she conquered the demon, Lord Shiva re-christened her as Bhadrakali and sent her to Gokarna as a protector of the town.

At the gate of the temple, statues of two lions and two warriors depict the power of goddess Bhadrakali. The statue of the goddess is seen in her ferocious avatar with big eyes, teeth and four hands holding weapons. This temple of Bhadrakali stands tall at the entrance of Gokarna, within walking distance from the town centre and opposite Shree Shankara Narayan Temple. For devotees of Shakti, Fridays are special as many offer prayers and hence this temple of Goddess Kali may be relatively busier on this day of the week. On a ride out from Gokarna's main bus terminal to Om beach, you could stop over to visit this imposing temple to your right.