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  :: S O U T H  I N D I A   >  M A N G A L O R E ::  
     
 
Brief -
  
 

Mangalore the district headquarters of Dakshina Kannada, is one of the major cities of Karnataka state. Narrow winding streets, lofty coconut trees, quaint gable-roofed houses, beautiful beaches, temples and churches, the heady fragrance of the Mangalore Mallige, the aroma of spicy coconut curries. Yes! Mangalore is indeed a city of vivid contrasts, unfolding an enchantment that never ends.

Further, the chief activity, or one can say the happening place in Mangalore, is the hectic city centre, as is the railway station, all major markets, bank headquarters are located at this place.

 
 
 
 
History -
 
 

In the 14th and the 15th centuries, Mangalore traded with Persion and Arab merchants and was fought over, by the Nayaka princes and the Portuguese. Further, in the 18th century Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan on one hand, and the Britishers on the other, contested for its control. Now, agricultural processing and ports related activities dominate its modern economy.

  
 
 
 
Culture -
 
 
Though this southern city has sizable Muslim population, as along with Hindus and Christians, the harmony and tolerance among people is worth appreciating.
 
 
 
 
City Info -
  
 
Food - Mangalorean food is a mix of spicy, coconut-based curries and delicious sweets. They cook a variety of meat and vegetables in coconut milk, or topped with grated coconut.

Turmeric powder is the main dry masala used. Whole ingredients are generally roasted twice; before grinding, and then again while cooking which, gives the food its distinctive aroma.

Kori roti — dry broken pieces of dosai or the soft neer dosai, usually accompanies the many gravies. Sana idlis fermented in toddy are also popular.

 
 
 
  
 
Shopping - The main area where you can do your shopping is Hampankatta and Central market. If you are looking for good sarees you can visit Kulyadikars and Laxmi in Hampankatta. Gold and silver ornaments are found here in a variety of designs. You can also purchase some excellent spices and cashewnuts. Phalguni at Hotel Roopa Building on Balmatta Road has spices, dried fruits as well as Mangalorean specialities such as wheat halwa, banana halwa and banana chips.
 
 
 
 
Entertainment - Mangalore is a city where fairs and festivals are celebrated with a lot of joy and fanfare. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in September all over the world, the day before Swarna Gowri.

Bakra-e-Id: In honour of the test of faith of Ibrahim by Allah, Muslims around the world sacrifice an animal on the occasion of Id-ul-Zuha to show their faith, allegiance and sincerity towards Allah. In India, the animal commonly used for sacrifice is the goat - which is why the occasion is spoken of in Urdu as Bakhr or Bakra-e-Id.
 
 
 
 
How to Reach -
  
 
Location - Approximately 357 km from Bangalore, in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The NH 17 runs parallel to the sea for 95 km.
 
 
 
 
By Air - Jet flies daily from Mumbai. You also have Jet flights connecting Bangalore to Mangalore. IA has flights from Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai to Mangalore. Airport: Bajpe airport is situated halfway between Mangalore and Udupi.
 
 
 
 
By Rail - There are several trains that link Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai to Mangalore. The Mangalore Mail and the West Coast Express link Chennai to Mangalore. Similarly, Mangala-Lakshadweep Express and the Nagercoil-Gandhidham Express connect Mangalore to Delhi. You also have several trains plying between Bangalore and Mangalore. Railway station: Situated on the south side of the city centre.
 
 
 
 
By Road - KSRTC runs buses between Bangalore and Mangalore. Mangalore is also connected to other important towns and cities in south India by bus. Alternatively, one can drive down to Mangalore from Bangalore, covering the 350-odd km distance in approximately seven hours. Bus stand: Better known as the Lal Bagh bus stand. Situated at Hampankatta at the bottom of Kadri Hill.
  
 
 
 
Climate -
 
 
Temperatures range between 40ºC to 26ºC in summer. The winter maximum is 35ºC while minimum is 22ºC.
  
 
 
 
: T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :
  
 
 
 
Mangaladevi Temple -
  
 
This temple has a history of how Mangalore got its name. Goddess Mangala Devi, the divine mother, was immensely pleased with the devotion of Bhargava, and told him, that she would dwell in his place as Mangala Devi, to be worshipped by devotees. People started knowing this place as Mangalapura, which later became Mangalore.
  
 
 
 
Udupi -
 
 
One of Karnataka's most important pilgrimage site, Udupi is an important Vaishnavite centre, with a Krishna temple and a gold chariot. It is the birthplace of the 12th century saint Madhva, who set up eight-sanyasi maths (monasteries), in the town.

It is also the birthplace of the masala dosa, a crispy crunchy popular snack of the South Indians. 6 km from Udupi is Malpe, a beautiful beach and one of the best port sites in southern Karnataka, where overnight shacks are available.

  
     
 
Others
  
 
 
 
GOKARNATHESHWARA TEMPLE - This temple has a very short past, founded by the Billawa Community of Mangalore, this temple belongs to the Era of modern architecture. Moreover, the temple is also the abode of Lord Gokarnatha.
 
 
 
 
MEKEDATU - Mekedatu in Kannada means Goats Leap. It is so called, because at this point, the mighty Cauvery river, squeezes itself, through a rocky channel, across which a goat could leap. At the confluence of the Cauvery and the Arkavathi, is Sangameshwara Temple. It is a beautiful picnic spot where one can fish or laze around.
  
 
 
 
KADRI TEMPLE - This temple is said to be the abode of Lord Manjunatha. Installed by a Siddha (Sage), by the name of Machendranatha, this temple is believed to be of the - 10th Century. The salient feature of this temple is the ever-flowing water from the "Gomukha" meaning "from a cows idols mouth".
 
 
 
 
MAHATMA GANDHI MUSEUM - The collection includes Zoology, Antropology, Sculpture, Art, Coins and Manuscripts.
 
 
 
 
SHREMMANTI BAI MEMORIAL MUSEUM - The collection includes Archaeology, Ethnology, pocelain and Wood Carvings.
 
 
 
 
SURATKAL BEACH - The beach is near the promontory, on which the new lighthouse stands. The beach is very popular among the Mangaloreans, especially on holidays.
 
 
 
 
TANEERBHAVI & PANAMBUR BEACHES - Mangalore has some of the finest beaches, one can find in India .The collection includes two beaches called Taneerbhavi and Panambur beaches which are nearer to the Mangalore Port and are found to be very clean.
 
 
 
 
ULLAL BEACH - It is one of the most famous beaches of Mangalore. This beach houses the famous Summer Sands Resorts.
 
 
 
 
VENKATRAMANA TEMPLE - Venkatramana Temple is one of the very old temples of Mangalore situated on the Car Street, where Lord Srinivasa is the presiding deity popularly known as Venkatarama.
  
 
 
 
DHARMASTHALA - Dharmasthala, on the Mangalore-Belur road, has the famous Manjunatha temple and a 14-meter high statue of Bahubali. Nearby are the Jain temple colonies of Venur, Moodabidri and Karkala. The special feature is that during the Annual Laksha Deepotsava festival, the Dharmasthala temple is illuminated with 1,00,000 lamps. All those who come here, irrespective of caste or creed, are given a free meal, and the temples cottages are ideal accommodation.