Mangalore | Mangalore Sightseeing

The name Mangalore (Mangaluru) is after the Goddess Mangala Devi. It is home to many famous colleges of various disciplines, due to which it is known as the cradle of education in Karnataka. Apart from this, the city is a melting pot of varied cultures. It is situated between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Over the years, Mangalore has been ruled by different dynasties, and the monuments here are the living examples that portray diverse architectural skills.

Sunset at Ullal Bridge Mangalore. Photographer Nithin Bolar K Image Source https://commons.wikimedia.org — Sunset at Ullal Bridge, Mangalore. Image courtesy Nithin Bolar K

Ultimate destination for tourists

Mangaluru has become a business hub, and even though it is not recognised as a metropolitan city, its culture is no different. This city is among the fastest-developing cities in India. There are several malls here, and MNCs also prefer this city for their offices.

Mangalore Quick Facts

Here, many languages are spoken due to the presence of diverse communities. It comes under the cleanest cities in India. It also contributes to the 75% of cashew nuts and coffee exports. The city has a high literacy rate and a Human Development Index.

Places to visit in and around Mangaluru

Tourist attractions in Mangaluru are a blend of old and new. On one hand, there are temples and forts, on the other hand, there are great beaches that help you relax and go crazy. Tourists gather here in large numbers to be spectators of the following attractions.

Mangaladevi Temple

Mangalore’s former name was Mangalapur, but was later changed by the British people. The former name was taken from the name of Goddess Mangala Devi, to whom this temple is dedicated. It was built by the ruler of the Ahepa Dynasty in the 19^th century.

Gokarnanatheshwara Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Gorakhnatha, who is another name for Lord Shiva. Devotees flock here during their major festivals. The architecture of the temple is of the Dravidian style, and you can also see the fine-looking carvings and sculptures in this temple.

Panambur Beach

Panambur Beach remains crowded with tourists and natives, too. The beach is safe for swimming too. It is the most preferred place amongst the natives of Mangalore who wish to cool off and relax. It is 13km away from the main city.

Surathkal Beach

This beach is famous for its lighthouse and smooth sand, which is comfortable for people walking barefoot. It is a lovely beach, and the scenic beauty soothes the tourist’s heart and soul.

Jamalabad Fort

This fort is built on a granite hill and is 1700ft above sea level. Jamalabad Fort is also a trekking destination. It is 65km away from Mangalore. There is a narrow path with more than a thousand stairs that leads to the fort, but all your efforts in reaching up there will not go in vain. The beautiful view from the top will surely cast a spell on you.

Karkala

It is an important pilgrimage centre for people following Jainism. It is approximately 52 km away from Mangalore. The major attraction here is the 42ft high deity of Lord Gomateswara, which was established here in 1432.

Kateel

The path to Kateel is surrounded by lush green vegetation. The journey through the beautiful valley, along with the soothing weather, is sought by many. It is situated 30 km north of Mangalore and has over the years become a tourist attraction.

Milagres Church

The church was built in the year 1680 by Vicar Thomas de Castro, who was a Theatine Priest of Salsette. It is one of the oldest churches in South Canara. The piece of land to build the church was gifted by the Keladi Queen Chennama. The present structure dates from 1911. Some parts of the church are believed to have been destroyed by Tippu Sultan, and the stones were used to build the Idgah on Lighthouse Hill.

Milagres Church has a great altar and is considered one of the best prayer houses in Mangalore. The Church also houses the paintings of St Monica and St Augustine, which is a wonderful piece of work and is worth watching.

Holy Rosary Church

Holy Rosary Church or Rosario Cathedral is one of the oldest churches situated near Hampankatta. It was built in 1568 by the Portuguese and reconstructed in 1910. Diego de Silveira, the Portuguese King, his stone emblem here marked the landing of the Portuguese in Mangalore, can be seen at the entrance of this church.

It is known for its magnificent dome, which resembles St Peter’s in Rome. There are as many as 8 bishops, including one archbishop interred here.

Juma Masjid

Located on JM Road, Juma Masjid may have been built around 644 AD by early Arab traders who came in search of the famous Malabar spices. Tipu Sultan, the famous ruler of Mysore, is credited with renovating in the 18th century. The mosque has a carved, intricately wooden roof. The prayer hall is the main attraction, which is a rectangular platform 3 ft above the ground. This mosque also marks the arrival of Islam in this region. It is also called Masjid Zeenath Baksh.

Srimanthi Bai Memorial Museum

It is the city’s only museum, which links modern Indian history with the 16th century objects. Col VR Miraskar Mangalorean by birth, during one of his postings in pre-Independence India, had stayed in a bungalow. He liked it so much that he built an almost exact replica of it at Bejai. Later, the State Archaeological Department converted the bungalow into a museum.

The museum is named after the Colonel’s mother with many of the exhibits from his own collection he has collected over 40 years. The house has three floors, and its huge teakwood caskets filled with Artifacts ranging from ancient coins, second-century stone idols, 18th-century brass images, lamps, and life-size wooden figures can also be found. You can also find pottery, porcelain and glass from China and Japan.

How to reach Mangalore

Reaching Mangaluru is easy since it has links to all the major cities in India.

By air

Mangalore has a rich network of flights, making it easy for tourists to fly here. Mangalore International Airport is around 20 km away from the city centre. Cabs and taxis are available just outside the airport to take you to your destination.

By rail

Mangaluru is blessed with two major railway stations: Mangalore Junction, around 5km from the city centre, and Mangalore Central, located in the heart of the city and providing great connectivity. Cabs and taxis could be availed according to your requirements.

By road

For those opting for bus services, the city also has two major bus depots. There are many private buses running that can drop you here. Moreover, a brownie point of travelling by bus is that it offers many pick-up and drop-off options, so you can choose what suits you best. For those who are travelling by car, the highways are very narrow, and you might get stuck in traffic. There are many companies available that provide rental cars.

Also See

Religious hubs in and around Mangalore