Pilikula Nisargadhama is near Mangalore at Vamanjoor spreads across 350 acres of undulating countryside with small pockets of tropical forests. Pilikula literally means Tiger's lake. In olden days, tigers used to come to this lake to drink water. Henceforth, this lake is known as Pilikula.
There is also a huge lake with ducks and swans with a beautiful garden surrounding the entire lake. Boating facility is also available here.
The wildlife found here are panthers, tigers, bears, crocodiles, black-buck and other reptiles may be seen here.
District Administration of Dakshina Kannada promoted this major Eco-education and tourism development project called Pilikula Nisarga Dhama. It is also a integrated theme park with a wide variety. The complex also includes the Manasa Amusement and Water Park.
The purpose of Pilikula was to showcase the coastal culture and rich native heritage of people of Dakshina Kannada district. It is really a must place to visit.
It is located 12 Kms from Mangalore on Bantwal NH 48.
Madani Dargah is a tomb of an Arab saint it belongs to the 19th century. The tomb was renovated and enlarged in 1970. This site attracts people of all faiths and beliefs and there are many stories associated about the miraculous powers of Saint Madani. This tomb stands next to a 19th century mosque.
There is a deep well with clear water within in the mosque complex there is a story associated with this well. when Ullal faced severe water shortage in 1945, thousands of devotees appealed to the saint and water miraculously gurgled up in the well.
The first fair was held in 1920, from there on it is held once every five years. The celebrations last for nearly a month.
The Dargah is Located about 10 kms from the heart of the city.
Kateel is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage center in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, it is located 30 Kms from Mangalore in the middle of river Nandini. The Durga Parameshwari is the main deity here she is caring and loving goddess for the people of South Kanara. This place has become one of the major tourist center over the years.
Lush green vegetation surrounds Kateel. This deity is associated with many myths and legends making the shrine one of the most sacred one in this region.
There are other temples dedicated to Chamundi, Brahma, Naga, Rakteshwari, Ganapati and Kshetrapala. Yakshagana performances are held here regularly.
Kateel Shree DuraParamaeshwari Temple
Kateel post
Mangalore
Dakshina Kannada District
574 148
E-mail: info@kateeldevi.net
Phone: +91- 824- 2200361 / 2200591 / 2200561
Temple is open for Darshan from 6 A.M. to 10 P.M.
Moodabidri a Jain pilgrim town 37 Kms northeast of Mangalore is also know as Jainakasi. It is also a major center for Jain learning in South India. The basadi here is thousand pillared. There are as many as 18 basadis here now.
Moodabidri witnessed a phenomenal growth during 14th and 16th centuries. It is during this period Jain religion, art, culture, and architecture grew.
The Tribhuvana Thilaka Choodamani Basadi or Savira Kambada Basadi (In kannada savira means thousand) built in 1430 is the main one it is built on a raised platform with a main hall and a maze of 1,000 stone pillars, each one different from the other. The main deity of the sanctum is the beautiful panchaloha idol of Chandranatha which is 2.5 mts tall.
The earliest of the Jain monuments of this place is believed to be Guru basadi. Legends has it that during the eight century, a Jain saint from Shravanabelagola discovered a beautiful image of the 23rd Thirthankar Lord Parshwanatha which is the main deity of this temple. The idol is about 3.5 mts tall. It is in this temple that a rare Jain manuscripts in a palm leaf was discovered in the 12th century AD. It is known as Dhavala texts. There are also tiny crystal statues of the Tirthankaras also are worth a watch.
There are beautiful images of Jain Trirthankar, Yakshas and Yakshis in every Jain basadi of Moodabidri.
The other basadi's here are as follows:
| Badaga basadi | Koti basadi | Deramma Shetti basadi | Kere basadi |
| Shettara basadi | Vikrama Shetti basadi | Chola Shetti basadi | Padu basadi |
| Hire basadi | Kallu basadi | Maday Shetti basadi | Shri Mathada basadi |
| Betkeri basadi | Leppada basadi | Baikanatikari basadi | Jaina Pathashaleya basadi |
Jain festival takes place every year here.
Places to Stay
Soans Farm
Phone: 08258-236261/781
Hotel Pancharathna International
Phone: 08258-238152
Navami Comforts
Phone: 08258-236011
Padiwals Tourist Home
Phone: 08258-237065,236465
Venoor is 19 Kms south-east of Moodabidri, is a small town and famous for Bahubali statue which is 38 feet and temples. The temple was built during 1603. The place is really impressive and worth a watch. Goddess Padmavathy is housed next to this temple. Down the road there is a basadi called Shantinatha Basadi with a black stone 5 feet image of Shantinatha.
Soans Farm also called as Pineapple Farm is located 40 Kms from Mangalore, on a sprawling 100 acre farm as a result, of an agricultural project begun by Alfred Soans. It is famous for its pineapple. They also grow few exotic fruit trees such as rambutan and durian. The farm is also famous horticultural crops like mango, banana, pineapple and spices like nutmeg, stevia and vanilla.
At present the farm is managed by the two sons of Alfred Soans, Dr. L.C. Soans, a Botanist who studied in the U.S.A. and Mr. I.V. Soans, a fruit technologist by training.
Soans Farm has also diversified into Eco-tourism with a guest houses in the farm for those interested in nature, bird watching and study of the tropical rainforest nearby.
Soans Farm
Belvai- 574213,
Karnataka
Phone: +91-8258-236261 & 236781
Website: www.soans.com
Karkala is the most important Jain pilgrim centre after Shravanabelagola. It is 53 Kms north-east of Mangalore. The name of the town is derived from kari-kallu meaning black stone in Kannada. The town is small and is know for Jain Basadis. The monolithic statue of Bahubali, which is 42 feet tall is the tallest one after the one at Shravanabelagola.
Chaturmukha Basti is also another major attraction here. It has four entrances. There is also another Basadi which is simple called Parshwanatha Padmavathy.
Anantha Padmanabha temple devoted to Lord Vishnu, which is 700 year old stone temple is located in the epicenter of the town. Diagonally opposite lies the shrine of Goddess Padmavathy.
Karakala Sri Venkataramana temple is thronged by visitors during the festival of lights. They come here to get the Lord's blessings.
Where to Stay
Hotel Prakash
Phone: 08258-234981/982
Hotel Suhag
Phone: 08258-231991/992
Hotel Swagath
Phone: 08258-230755/355
Hotel King's Court
Phone: 08258-231432
St Lawrence Church, Attur built in 1839 is a stone's throw away from Karkala. The church is surrounded by beautiful hills, with a holy pond behind the bell tower. St Lawrence's miracle statue is on the left side. It is know for its miracles.
The church is known for its annual festivals, which is held every year in the last week of January, on tuesday, wednesday and thursday. It is a belief that burning candles on the above days and making a wish will come true. Candles sizes vary from 1 to 7 feet. The holy pond is always full of water and supposed to have tremendous healing powers.
People of all religions come during the annual festival.
St. Lawrence Church
Attur, Karkala - 576 117
Director Rev . Fr. Arthur Pereira
Phone: 08258 - 230322, 233842
Mass Timings : Daily Mass at 6.30 am
Saturday 4.30 pm,Sunday 7.30 & 10.30 am
Thursday Novena : 10.00 am Rosary & Confession
10.30 am Adoration, 11.00 am Mass, 12.00 noon Novena, 12.15 pm Lunch
Nallur is 62 Kms from Mangalore through Karkala, is home to one of the simplest basadi, built by Sri Parshwanatha. Samosharanam is a symbolic representation of heaven is on the first floor of the basadi. It leads you the way to heaven with seven doors and miniature attractive statues of men and animals in different stages of life, on their path to salvation.
Varanga is also 69 Kms from Mangalore through Karkala. The basadi here namely Neminatha is 1,000 years old. Kere basadi(lake) in the middle of the lake is really beautiful and worth seeing. The idol here is four sided. Also the main mutt is really admirable. And the Chandranatha Swamy basadi has a shrine with image of Padmavathy Devi.
Kigga is 10 Kms from Sringeri on Harihara Beedi and 117 Kms from Mangalore. This place is known for its 14th century Rishya shringa Temple, built in honour of Saint Rishyashringa featured in epic Ramayana, who is believed to have the power to bring rain. The lush green dense forests and landscape makes Kigga rich.
There is a Shivalingam in the main shrine with a horn on its head, and a Nandi idol in the front. Kigga also serves as the starting point for climbing the Narasimha Parvatha. An amazing falls called Sirimane falls is nearby. The region around this place is good for trekking and hill climbing.
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