The city of Mangalore or Mangaluru in Karnataka lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges. It is the chief port of Karnataka. This ancient city has a number of temples and shrines that attract a lot of pilgrims and tourists.
If you are planning a trip to Mangalore, you must take time out to visit the beautiful temples that are a part of this city’s heritage.
Listed below are 10 temples that you must visit when in Mangalore.
Sri Mangala Devi Temple
Sri Mangala Devi Temple is dedicated to Mangala devi, a form of Goddess Shakti. It is an ancient temple that dates back to the 9th century. The temple is located in Bolar (also known as Bolara) at a distance of about 3 km to the southwest of the city centre.
Mangalore derives its name from the main deity of this temple. A four-armed statue of the goddess in a sitting position is worshipped inside the temple. The festival of Navratri is celebrated in a grand manner in this temple.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- Morning– 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Evening – 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Kadri Manjunatha Temple
The Kadri Manjunatha Temple or the Kadri Manjunatheswara Temple is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in Karnataka. The temple was built in the 10th century. It is located in the Kadri Hills. The temple houses a 4 foot tall bronze idol of Shiva. The idol is referred to as Padmasanastha Lokeswara or Avalokitheswara.
In the ancient times the temple was a Buddhist place of worship, which was converted to a Hindu temple. The courtyard of the temple has shrines dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesha.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- Morning– 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Evening – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Kukke Subramanya Temple is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva. In this temple he is worshipped as Subramanya, the lord of all serpents. The temple is located in the village of Subramanya, which is at a distance of 104 km from the city centre.
The temple is a large structure that houses the idols of Sri Subrahmanya and Vasuki, the king of serpents. The deity of Shesha is also worshipped in this temple. The temple also has a cluster of Shiva lingas known as Kukke lingas.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- Morning– 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Evening – 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple
The Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga. The temple is situated in the town of Kateel or Kateelu which is at a distance of 29 km from the Mangalore city. It stands on an island in the Nandini River.
The temple provides free lunch and dinner to all devotees and visitors everyday at the temple premises. The annual festival of the temple is an eight day long occasion that is celebrated in the month of April.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- From 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Karinjeshwara Temple
Sri Karinjeshwara temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. This ancient temple is situated in the town of Karinja, one of the well-known pilgrim spots of Karnataka that stands at a distance of 35 km from Mangalore. The temple stands at a height of 1000 feet from sea level atop the Kodyamale hills. The temple can be reached only by climbing 555 steps.
The temple of Goddess Parvathi is located halfway up the hill while the temple of Lord Shiva is located at the peak of the hill. Shivaratri is the main festival of the temple that is celebrated in the month of February-March every year.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- Morning– 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Evening – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Mahalingeshwara Temple
The Mahalingeshwara Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Mahalingeshwara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the Puttur town that is situated at a distance of 52 km from Mangalore. The temple dates back to the 12th century.
The main festival of the temple is the Chariot festival that is celebrated for 10 days in the month of April every year. The temple is a protected structure that is conserved under the Karnataka Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- Morning– 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM
- Evening – 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
The Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple is one of the must visit temples of Mangalore. Lord Shiva is the main deity worshipped in this temple. This Shaivaite pilgrimage centre is located on the banks of River Nethravathi, in the temple town of Dharmasthala at a distance of 75 km from Mangalore. This 800 year old temple
The Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple is a large structure that also houses the idols of Dharma Daivas or angels of Lord Dharma. The annual festival of ‘Laksha Deepotsava’ is celebrated during the month of November or December every year in a grand manner.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- Morning– 6:30 AM to 2:00 PM
- Evening – 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple
Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple or Gokarnatheshwara Temple is one of the most beautiful temples of Karnataka. This magnificient temple is located at a distance of 3 km from Mangalore. The temple is dedicated to Lord Gokarnanatheshwara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. It was built in the year 1912.
The temple structure is built in the Chola Gopuram style of architecture. The temple celebrates the festival of Dussera with much grandeur. The temple organises a grand procession of Goddess Durga along with the Nava Durgas during the Dussera festival, which attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- From 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple
Sri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple is an ancient temple of Mangalore. The temple is located in the heart of the city. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is more than 800 years old. The temple has a Shiva linga installed inside the premises. The temple also has shrines within its premises for other deities like Kadri, Sharavu, Kudroli and Mangaladevi.
The temple is a centre for cultural activities. Dance and drama performances are organized in the temple during special occasions. Festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi and Laksha Deepotsava are celebrated on a large scale in the temple and devotees throng the temple during such occasions.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- From 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Thousand Pillars Jain Temple
Saavira Kambada Basadi Jain temple at Moodabidr. Image source Wikipedia
The Thousand Pillars Jain Temple is a huge temple located in Moodbidri, about 37 km away from Mangalore. The ancient temple dates back to 1430 AD. The temple is dedicated to Shri Chandranath Swami, a Jain saint. The temple is also known as Savira Kambada basadi. The sanctum hall of the temple has a 2.5 metre high bronze idol of Lord Chandranatha Swami.
Built during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire, the temple reflects the Vijayanagara style of architecture. The thousand pillars of the temple are carved in an exceptional manner. Even the ceiling and the walls of the temple have beautiful carvings done on them.
Temple Timing: Open on all days of the week
- From 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
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