subject: Mangalore- Coastal Splendour [print this page] Situated in the state of Karnataka, Mangalore is a prominent port and headquarters of the district of Dakshina Kannada. Mangalore has been a bustling commercial hub that has been in prominence since the 6th century AD.
Mangalore is a charming and picturesque coastal town that gets its name from the deity of a temple here called Mangaladevi Temple. The temple is dedicated to a princess from Kerala who was married to Matsyendranath, the founder of Nath tradition and was renamed Mangaladevi after being converted to the Nath Sect. Following her death, a temple was built in her honour that was named Mangaladevi Temple.
Mangalore is fringed by lofty hills, enveloped by lush green landscapes, interspersed by pristine streams and dotted by coconut palms. The landscape of a typical street in Mangalore is adorned by beautiful bungalows that have red tiled roofs over them and is surrounded by a lot of greenery.
This town is filled with an array of sightseeing attractions that appeal to the tastes and likes of tourists from all across the country. Beaches, temples, museums and chapels are some of the many attractions that tourists are treated to in this beautiful town. Devotees coming to Mangalore cannot miss out on the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple here, which is a place of religious significance in the area. Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple built in 1086 AD and Sri Manjunatha Temple, situated atop the highest hill in the area are two other prominent temples in the area. Sri Manjunatha temple has a bronze statue of Lord Lokeswara and is famous for the spectacular view of the surrounding area.
Seemanthini Bai Bejai Museum and the hillock of Lighthouse are also popularly visited by tourists. St. Aloysius Chapel is famed for its 19th century paintings by the Italian Jesuit priest Antonio Moscheni. The Lighthouse Hill Garden houses an 18th century lighthouse which is a popular vantage point here offering a splendid view of the sea stretched far away into the horizon. Sultan Battery, a watchtower made of black stones constructed by Tippu Sultan, is yet another popular sightseeing spot in Mangalore.
Mangalore is also famed for its many beaches such as Someshwara beach, Mukka beach, KREC beach, Panambur beach and the Tannirbavi beach. For those interested in ancient sculptures, artwork, coins and manuscripts, the one must-visit place is the Mahatma Gandhi Museum. Karkala is an important Jain pilgrim centre dotted with several important temples and famed for a 13 m high statue of Bahubali on a hillock. Mangalore also has a pilgrim centre for Muslims created in memory of the Muslim saint Syed Muhammad Shareef Madani Melangadi called the Ullal Jamma Masjid. Durga Parameshwari Temple is thronged by devotees on the occasion of Laksha Deepotsava.
