Tourist Places in Mangalore

Mangalore, or Mangaluru, is noted for its magnificent beaches and temple architecture. It's situated between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Mangalore, named after the Goddess Mangaladevi, is one of the country's major port cities on the Arabian Sea. Aside from being a port city, the city also hosts several cultural and historical events. This city was also home to several historical dynasties, including the Rashtrakutas, Kadambas, Chalukyas, and Portuguese. There is a lot to see and do in this seaside city for travellers.

Beaches and temples surround Mangalore, but it is also a major industrial, economic, educational, and healthcare hub in Karnataka. Beautiful beaches, temples, churches, and mosques are among Mangalore's top tourist attractions. It would be best to visit KREC Beach, Tannirbavi Beach, Someshwara Beach, Panambur Beach, Bajai Museum, and Mangaladevi Temple,

In today's article, we will be telling you the list of some tourist attractions in Mangalore that commonly capture visitors' attention. So, let's look at the top Tourist Places in Mangalore.

1. Kudroli Temple

Kudroli Temple is a well-known temple in Mangalore devoted to Gokarneshwara, another avatar of Lord Shiva. Narayan Guru, a well-known social reformer from Kerala, founded this temple. It is one of Mangalore's most famous tourist attractions.

Under the supervision of Narayana Guru, a devotee called Adhyaksha Koragappa funded and built this temple in 1912. The temple gopuram was restored in the Chola gopuram style in 1991. The Shiva Linga is composed of marble, which Narayan Guru brought from Gokarna, where he was underwater. Goddess Annapurneshwari, Lord Bhairav, and Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati, are all worshipped here. This temple's most well-known yearly celebration is Navratri. The ninth day is commemorated with a magnificent procession of Durga, akin to the Mysore Dussehra rituals.

2. Mangladevi Temple

Bolar is home to the Mangaladevi Temple. Mangalore is derived from Goddess Mangaladevi, the temple's principal goddess. In the 9th century, this shrine was established to remember the princess of Malabar Mangal. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Mangalore. Mangaladevi Temple has a long and successful history. The temple has special meaning for unmarried ladies since it is believed that unmarried girls who worship here are blessed.

This temple's most well-known yearly celebration is Navratri. On the ninth day (known as Mahanavami), many devotees attend this celebration (known as Mahanavami).

3. Tannirbavi Beach

Tannirbavi Beach is located near the Mangalore port's southern edge. The Mangalore Port Trust owns the beach. This is one of Mangalore's most beautiful beaches and a famous tourist attraction.

The beach's silky sands and the furious winds of the Arabian Sea combine for an unforgettable experience. It's also a great place to view the sunset. Near the shore, you may observe the wreckage of a ship that sank 15 years ago. This beach is quite deserted and is ideal for swimming. In the centre of Mangalore, this beach attracts the majority of tourists. Due to the limited interconnectivity of this route, it is necessary to have your vehicle reach this Mangaluru beach.

4. St. Aloysius Chapel

St. Aloysius Chapel is located on the campus of St. Aloysius College, in the centre of Mangalore. The chapel's walls are decorated with paintings by Italian artist Antoni Moschini. Father Joseph Willey established the church in 1899-100. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Mangalore. Mangalore Railway Station is 1.5 kilometres away.

This chapel is akin to Rome's Sistine Chapel. The magnificent assortment of artworks is the chapel's special beauty. The paintings in the chapel are of two types: fresco on plaster and oil on canvas. Paintings on the sloping roof show St. Peter and the Crossing of the Cock, James, Philip, John, St. Paul, Andrew, Simon, Thomas, Bartholomew, and Jude. In the centre of Matthew, the row of ceiling paintings recounts St. Aloysius Gonzaga's life, to which the chapel is dedicated.

5. Panambur Beach

Mangalore Railway Station is 11 kilometres away from Panambur Beach. Panambur Beach, located near Mangalore port, is a popular Mangalore tourist destination. This beach is suitable for swimming. The beach provides excellent views of the sunset. Because of its proximity to the city, the beach receives many visitors. A camel ride is available as an additional attraction at this beach. Visitors may enjoy boating and water sports at the beach. Panambur Beach is also well-known for hosting the International Kite Festival in the last week of April.

6. Surthkal Beach in Mangalore

Surathkal Beach is a lovely beach with stunning natural beauty. The beach has spectacular sunset views and is frequently fairly busy in the evenings. It is one of Mangalore's most popular beaches. The old Sadashiva Temple near the seashore is well worth a visit. According to the mythology, in order to stop Ravana from taking the Aatma Ling to Lanka, Lord Ganesha and Lord Vishnu's planned and succeeded and Ravana's Shivling was placed by him on the ground, Ravana attempted to grab it by force, and some fragments were scattered. One such linga fragment is supposed to have fallen at Suratkal. A lighthouse near the Sadashiva temple is located on a tiny hill. Suratkal is home to the well-known National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK).

7. Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple

Kateel Shree Durgaparameshwari Temple is one of the region's most holy temples. The temple's most notable feature, which draws many visitors, is its location on an islet in the middle of the river Nandini, surrounded by natural beauty. The temple is 27 kilometres from Mangalore and is dedicated to Goddess Durga Parameshwari. If you wish to visit this temple, you should go during the monsoon season because the panoramic view here in the monsoon season is particularly appealing to tourists. Devotees can worship, chant mantras, or sit at this temple. This temple is a fantastic spot to visit if you're looking for spirituality.

8. Pilikula Nisargadhama Park

Pilikula Nisargadhama is a well-known entertainment park in Mangalore. Pilikula translates as "Tiger Pool." Tigers used to visit the lake for water. Hence the location was once a natural home for them. Pilikula draws not just nature lovers but also botanists, zoologists, and students interested in studying the variety of flora and fauna found here. In addition, there is a zoo, botanical gardens, a scientific centre, and an artisan village. You can take a guide who will provide information on all aspects of Pilicula. If you come here to explore between October and February, they will also have the opportunity to watch migratory birds.

9. Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple

Sri Sharavu Mahaganpati Temple is a well-known ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Shiva. The temple is said to be 800 years old. Sharavu is derived from the term 'Shara,' which means arrow, and is associated with an interesting narrative. Lord Ganesha is said to take away his worshippers' difficulties and sorrows. The big temple is busy during key festival days like Sankranti, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Dussehra. Along with conducting aarti at the temple, each devotee is allowed to pull the palanquin. Surprisingly, these rites are accompanied by both traditional instrumental music and chanting.

10. Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple

The Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple was built in the 8th century and is dedicated to Sri Rajarajeshwari. The temple's architecture is impressive, with fine woodwork carvings of Hindu deities and copper plates on the roofs. The main attraction for visitors is the idol of Sri Rajarajeshwari, which is made of clay that is supposed to have medicinal virtues. Sri Rajarajeshwari Devi is a manifestation of Shakti, who is said to have the capacity to create and even destroy the cosmos. The goddess deactivates all negative energy, making her one of Hindu mythology's most powerful deities. The beautiful temple is regularly used for Hindu celebrations such as the yearly and Polali Chendu festivals.

11. Manjunatha Temple

Dharmasthala is one of Karnataka's most prominent pilgrimage places, located 70 kilometres from Mangalore on the banks of the Netravati River. The famous Manjunatha temple is the temple's major attraction. Shree Kshetra is another name for this place. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Manjunatha or Lokeshwar, dates from the 16th century. The Shiva Linga revered at this temple is claimed to have been purchased from the Kadri temple in Mangalore. In the 16th century, Vadiraja Swami of Udupi called the area Kuduma and renamed it Dharmasthala.

Before the Manjunatha Temple in Dharamsala, four Dharma Devas' temples (Kalrahu, Kalakayi, Kanyakumari, and Kumaraswamy) were built. The primary attraction of the temple is the Lakshadweep Festival held in Kartikemasa (November/December). The temple carries out many social activities, including educational institutes for the poor.

12. Mangalore Beach

Mangalore beach is a popular tourist destination at the confluence of two lovely rivers: Gurupara and Nehravati. If you visit Mangalore, the best time to visit the beach is around sunset, when there is a stunning sunset view. The beauty of the Arabian Sea surrounds Mangalore Beach. From here, you may witness an amazing sunset.

13. Ullal Beach

Ullal Beach is regarded as Karnataka's favourite beach. Ullal Beach, only 12 kilometres from Mangalore, captivates tourists with its long shoreline and panoramic view of the gorgeous Arabian Sea. Various water sports activities are planned for an adrenaline rush that will undoubtedly entertain the guests. If you're on vacation or want to spend the weekend near the beach, check out Someshwara Temple, St. Sebastian's Church, Queen Abbakka Fort, and Summer Sands Beach Resort.

14. New Mangalore Port

New Mangalore Port is one of the most famous ports in Karnataka and the country's 7th largest port. It was opened on 4 May 1974 by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. This port is located in Panambur on India's west coast. It stretches from the Falguni River to the Arabian Sea. It is the seventh-largest port in the country and exports some of the primary commodities.

15. Sakleshpur

There are several hill stations in Karnataka, but Sakleshpur in Mangalore is one of the most picturesque. Tourists frequently visit this highland station to spend the weekend. This hill station, located at an elevation of 950 meters, is ornamented with coffee, tea, cardamom, and cinnamon. It's also known as "Poor Man's Ooty." Having a large budget to visit here is not required, but you may enjoy the magnificent plains and hills at a lower cost.

16. Kadri Hill Park

Kadri Hill Park is Mangalore's largest park, where they can enjoy the splendid beauty of nature. Rare animal species can also be found here. The eight tanks stored here are the most interesting feature. It is stated that the water in these tanks may treat skin ailments.

17. Someshwara Beach

During your visit to Mangalore, you will pass by various beaches, one of which is Someshwara Beach. Someshwara Beach is also home to the Someshwara Temple, which is devoted to the Hindu deity Shiva, and it is said that the beach's rocks exist due to the Lord's presence. Another notable attraction near the beach is "Otienne Hill," a magnificent vantage point where you can see the city below, the Netravati River, and the lovely Arabian Sea.

18. Sasihithlu Beach

Sasihthlu Beach is a lovely beach in Karnataka, approximately 25 kilometres from Mangalore in the town of Sasihthlu. This is where the Nandini and Shambhavi rivers meet the Arabian Sea. Most people have no understanding of this beach and are just now beginning to explore it.

19.Milagres Church

The age-old architecture, religious value, and historical importance are the main attraction for travellers. Milagres Church, which dates back to the late 1600s, is one of the oldest in South Karnataka. The old Milagres Church no longer exists since Tipu Sultan razed it, but the cemetery and a church added years later do. Followers leave to pray.

20. Forum Fiza Mall

The Forum Fiza Mall, located in Pandeshwar, Mangalore, is the fourth largest mall in Karnataka. It was opened in 2014 as the Forum Mall and has since become a popular hangout for visitors and locals. This is the place to go if you want to shop and hang out after viewing tourist attractions.

How to Reach Mangalore

• By Flight: Mangalore's airport is located only 18 kilometres from the city centre. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways from Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai operate regular flights to Mangalore.
• By Train: Mangalore is linked to the Indian railway network via Bangalore, connecting it to most South Indian cities.
• By Road: You can also reach Mangalore by buses operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) from Mysore, Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai. Private buses are also available at reasonable rates.

Local Food of Mangalore

Mangalore is well-known for its Udupi-style food and popular seafood. Neer Dosa, Mangalorean Fish Curry, Cashew Upkari, Rasam, Ken (Lady Fish), Ole Bela (Palm Jaggery), Export Quality Cashews, and various coffees are available to visitors. Aside from that, the sweets served here have a unique taste. Desserts include Mangalorean parfait ice cream, pudding in three flavours, and a variety of fruit drinks and treats. Mangalore also provides Catholic cuisine with Mangalorean, Goan, and Portuguese influences. Don't miss out on the amazing thali here, including Fried Fish, Fried Ro Curry, Pork Roast, etc. You may easily experience these delicious dishes here, especially if you are a non-vegetarian.

Best Time to Visit Mangalore

Mangalore is best visited between September and April. Because the temperature rarely rises beyond 30 degrees, you may spend the entire day relaxing on the beaches. Summers are quite hot, with significant levels of humidity. So don't forget to visit here throughout the summer. Mangalore has considerable rains in July and August, making it an unsuitable season to visit. As a result, the winters and monsoons are the greatest times to visit Mangalore.