Nowadays known as Mangaluru, is one of the biggest cities of south Indian state of Karnataka. With Arabian Sea on the one side and Western Ghat Mountains on the other side, Mangalore is bestowed with some of the most magnificent locations. Clusters of coconut trees, red-tiled buildings, bustling markets and multi-lingual culture add a lot of charm to the beauty of this city.
It is full of ravishing beaches and ancient monuments. Apart from being a wonderful vacation destination of southern part of India, Mangalore is also a leading port city. Being a significant trading center of our country since decades, Mangalore has now developed itself to the 9th largest port and one of the cleanest cities of India.
Mangalore is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. The mouthwatering cuisines of Mangalore are a cherry on the top of the cake. They are inspired by Udupi, Billavas, Bunts, Saraswat Brahmins, Bearys and a couple of other traditions.
Major tourist Attractions in Manglore
- Panambur Beach – Located at a distance of about 13 kilometers from the city, Panambur beach is probably the best place around Mangalore for those who come here to spend some time relaxing in nature’s lap. It is a quite sparsely crowded and unspoiled beach.
- St Aloysius Chapel – Well-known for its phenomenal architecture and breathtaking interiors, the church has paintings over most of its walls by Antonio Moscheni, an Italian artist. St. Aloysius Chapel was built by Jesuit Missionary in 1880. A special committee is entrusted with responsibility of maintaining and reviving the rare paintings that feature several Christian saints.
- Mangaladevi Temple – Prior to being named as Mangalore by the British, the city was known by the name Mangalapur. This name came from the name of Mangaladevi Temple, dedicated to the diety Mangala Devi. The king of Ahepa Dynasty set this temple up in the 19th century. The celebrations of Navratri festival at this temple are very famous.
- Sultan Battery – Situated in Boloor which is at a distance of about 6kms from the main city, Sultan battery was built by Tipu Sultan in 1784. The watch tower built in black stone was meant to prevent warships from entering Gurpur River. The construction of this tower is truly unmatched and resembles that of a mini fort.
- Kadri Manjunath Temple – Belonging to the 11th Century, the Kadri Nath is another eminent tourist spot of Mangalore. The temple is situated on the highest hill of the city and has a squared structure. There are nine tanks inside the temple. The temple houses a bronze statue of Lokeshwara God which is the best bronze statue of the country. There are a few caves on the top of the hill which are hailed as the caves of Pandavas.
Other prime spots of interest for travelers in Mangalore are –
- Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple
- Seemanthi Bai Government Museum
- Tannirbhavi Beach
- Milagres Church
- Kadri Park
- Rosario Church
- Gokarnanatheshwara Temple
- Netravati River
- Bahubali Statue
Best time to visit
Summers in Mangalore are quite hot and humid while the monsoon brings heavy rainfall. So the months of September to February are the best time to visit Mangalore when the weather here is ideal for outings and sightseeing.
Festivals and Fairs
Mangalore hosts a very unique festival known as Kambla or buffalo races in the month of December. It is a very significant event for this city when the buffalos are tidied up and brought to the paddy fields full of water. After spraying mud and water all over the field, then are left to run towards the finish line.
How to reach
By Air – The Bajpe Airport of Mangalore is an international airport located at a distance of about 20kms from the main city. There are regular flights to and from all the major cities of the country.
By train – Mangalore Central Railway Station is the main railway junction of Mangalore. It is well connected to rest of the country by way of numerous trains. Another important railway station in the city are Mangalore Junction- Kakanadi, Thokur and Ullal.
By Road – NH7 and NH48 are the two important national highways passing through the city. Also there are frequent state and private transport buses available to and from all the major cities and towns of Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa.
