!! Travel to Mangalore!!

Kadri Manjunatha Temple, MangaloreMangalore, once an important port in the mighty kingdom of Hyder Ali, today it is known as a university town. The young crowd dressed in denim mingles seamlessly with the burka clad women in a city that breathes contentment. Its laid-back attitude gels well with the picturesque hilly terrain with leisurely winding streets that often disorient first timers. The Catholic community established at the time of the arrival of Portuguese, is a significant part of the population and lends a conservative touch to the otherwise progressive nature of the city of Mangalore.

Mangalore enjoys sunny weather with cool sea breezes by virtue of its location - set between the Arabian Sea and the evergreen Western Ghats, overlooking the converging waters of Netravathi and Gurpura rivers. The city, according to the folklores, derives its name from Goddess of Fortune Mangladevi.

Apart from the coffee culture, encouraged by the coffee and cashew nut export at the Mangalore port, Mangalore is an active manufacturer and exporter and ceramic tiles and coir that can be visited during your stay. The white sand beaches are well known tourist attraction.

Mangalorean people, cheerful and content, celebrate several festivals in their unique style with a preference for performances. The Yakshagana performance is an elaborate dance routine that ought not to be missed .The annual buffalo race called Kambala in Kannada is another enthralling event. Talamaddlay, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, is celebrated by worshipping a local deity Sharbeshwara Maha Ganapati.

Mangalore, as expected of a coastal city, is rich in seafood. The abundances of spices make the simple preparations delectably hot. Besides the fish, rice and coconut are the other staple foods in the diet of Mangalore. For shopping curios and handicrafts and for cheap yet satisfying eating out trips Hampankatta city center, along the bustling KS Rao Road, is the best.

Though Mangalore is easily accessible by air, bus and trains with the restaurants, bus stands and train stations being located in the center of the city, it rarely figures on the tourist map. However, it has much to offer in terms of history, culture and religion.

Places to visit on your travel to Mangalore :

Sultan's Battery - A fortress built in black stone to prevent intruders from entering the city, first occupied by Portuguese who were later relieved of it by the British, stands on the banks of Gurpura river, a mere 4 km away from the city. It is one of the few remaining ruins of the past glory. Its placid surroundings contrast the intended purpose of the watchtower.

Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple - The special festivals likes the ones celebrated on Ganesh Chaturthi (birthday of Lord Ganesha), Rathotsava (the Car Festival) and Deepothsava (Festival of Lights) will leave you enchanted on your visit to this temple on your travel to Mangalore.

Mangaladevi Temple - The city derives its name from this temple that is devoted to the worship of Mangla Devi. Its thousand years of history draws pilgrims in hordes.

Kadri Manjunatha Temple - Built in the Keralan style of architecture through the 10th and 11th centuries, the temple boasts of a Lokeshwara statue that is made of the finest Indian bronze. The temple gets its name from Lord Manjunatha Swami, the oldest idol in India. Water flowing from the mouth of the statue of the cow idol is supposed to have curative powers.

Ullal Beach, MangaloreSt Aloysius College Chapel - At the center of the sprawling 37 acres Aloysius campus established more than a century ago in 1880, stands the St. Aloysius College chapel. It is dedicated to Aloysius Gonzaga who served the victims of plague in the 16th century Rome. The walls, ceiling, altar and pillars are covered in paintings and frescos created by a Brother Antonio Moscheni from 1899 to 1900. The magnificence of the detailed painting overwhelms the first time visitors as well as the regular worshippers who haven't seen the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City.

Lighthouse Hill Garden - With an uninterrupted view of the sunset over the Arabian Sea, this destination, immensely popular with the Mangaloreans, is a place you shouldn't miss to see.

Ullal Beach - With its sparkling white sand beaches and forested rim, it makes for a popular tourist destination. Taneerbhavi and Panambur beaches are the other popular beaches.