"An attachment impossible to uproot."
Nestled in Karnataka, the city of Mangalore or Mangaluru is surrounded by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Renowned for its historical architecture, this place is called ‘Rome of the East.’ The city was named after Mangaladevi, the Hindu god Shakti. Scintillating beaches, rolling hills, freshwater streams, coconut palms, and amazing wildlife attract travelers to this beautiful haven.
Places to visit
Someshwar Beach, Ullal
On your holiday in Mangalore, make sure you visit Someshwar Beach. You can enjoy a leisure walk on its golden sands and rejuvenate your senses. It houses the Someshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You’ll find large rocks on this beach, they are called Rudra Shile - Rudra is another name for Lord Shiva and Shile translates to rock in Tulu which is one of the regional languages of Mangalore.
St. Aloysius Chapel
Located on the Lighthouse Hill, St. Aloysius Chapel is an architectural marvel. You’ll love the splendid fresco done on the walls of this chapel. Created by an Italian artist, Antonio Moscheni, these paintings are among the preserved historic artifacts.
Pilikula Biological Park
If you’re a wildlife enthusiast, the Pilikula Biological Park will delight you. Keep your camera handy while you spot wildlife like tigers, leopards, and bears. Full of scenic beauty, the park is a nature lover’s paradise. You can also enjoy a boat ride at the lake and savor the breathtaking views of the amazing flora and fauna.
Gokarnanatheshwara Temple
The Gokarnanatheshwara Temple aka Kudroli Gokarnath Temple is the most visited temple in Mangalore. Built in honor of Lord Shiva, this place exudes spiritual bliss and tranquillity. Photographers flock to this temple to capture its striking architecture. It is believed that offering prayers here cure all sorts of ailments. The best time to visit this shrine is during the Dussera festival which is celebrated with grandeur.
Panambur Beach
One of the hotspots, Panambur Beach offers lots of adventure activities. You can indulge in boating, jet ski rides, swimming, parasailing, and horse riding. Visit this beach in the evening to catch a glimpse of the stunning sunset. This beach is popular for hosting the Beach Festival and the Kite Festival. It turns into an entertainment hub with events like sand sculpture and kite-flying contests, boat races, singing, and dancing competitions.
Festivals Celebrated
Navaratri and Dasara are the main festivals celebrated in Mangalore. During the ten-day celebration of Dasara, the Kudroli Temple looks magnificent with lights. Devotees flock to the Mangaladevi Temple to witness the grand celebrations of Navaratri. Various dance and drama performances take place during this auspicious occasion.
Popular Celebrities
Aishwarya Rai, Rohit Shetty, Sunil Shetty, Shilpa Shetty, and Pooja Hegde are some of the Bollywood celebrities who originally hail from Mangalore.
Cuisines to relish
Mangalorean cuisine is delicious. They use coconut and curry leaves in their food preparation. Popular dishes include Bajji with Chutney, Chicken Sukka, Sambar, Egg Curry, Fish Curry, Idiyappam, and Neer Dosa.
Souvenirs to pick
Cashews, Mangalore halwa, silk sarees, wall hangings made from shells, and artifacts made from sandalwood.
Languages
The administrative languages of Mangalore are Tulu, Kannada and English. Regional languages include Tulu, Beary, Koraga, Kannada, Havyaka, and Konkani.
Interesting Facts
The powerful emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire, Krishnadevaraya belonged to the Tulu clan. His victory over the Sultans of Bijapur, Golconda, the Bahmani Sultanate, and the Raja of Odisha made him an iconic hero.
There are two places called ‘Mangalore’ in Australia. One is located in southern Tasmania and the other in Victoria state.
One of the five major Dravidian languages, Tulu is global in nature. The word ‘Tulu’ means water and water-related aspects; ‘tu’ in ancient Sumerian language indicates water spring and ‘lu’ implies abundance or quantity. The African word ‘Zulu’ means water.
You’ll find people in Africa with the name ‘Tulu’. There are places in Ethiopia, Africa called Tulu Ferda, Tulu Bora, Tulu Guaracha, and Tulu Bolo.
Best time to visit
November to February is the perfect time to visit Mangalore. It is the winter season and ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
How to reach here
By flight: Mangaluru Airport aka Bajpe Airport
By rail: Mangalore Central railway station or Mangalore Junction railway station
Nearby attraction
St Lawrence Minor Basilica
At a distance of 58 km from Mangalore lies St Lawrence Minor Basilica in Udupi District of Karkala. The setting and spectacular architecture of this Roman Catholic church will sweep you off your feet. Built-in 1759, the church is renowned for its rich history. It is active in social activities - it runs an orphanage and a school.
Coorg
Situated at an approximate distance of 139 km from Mangalore lies Coorg aka Kodagu. This beautiful hill station will amaze you with its wonderful weather, quaint villages, picturesque landscapes, and wooded slopes; it is popularly known as ‘Scotland of India’. From breathtaking waterfalls to Tibetan monasteries to wildlife parks, Coorg is a photographer’s paradise. Read more about Coorg here.
We recommend: 2 Nights/3 Days @ Rs 12,500
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