The ancient rustic town of Mangalore is the chief port of the state of Karnataka that was a renowned port in the south of India as early as the 6th century. Even in the present times this is a bustling commercial centre and the headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada.
The name Mangalore is derived from a famous deity here of the Mangaladevi Temple. Ancient folklore says that a princess Parimala from Kerala who married Matsyendranath, the founder of Nath tradition was brought to Mangalore and was later renamed Mangaladevi and converted to the Nath sect. Following her death, a temple was built here in her honour called the Mangaladevi Temple. Mangalore is the anglicized version of ‘Mangalooru’ made up of two words ‘Mangala’ and ‘ooru’ meaning Mangala’s abode.
Laced by lofty hills and fed by merry streams, this picturesque coastal town is blessed with a lush green landscape that is dotted with swaying brown coconut palms. The streets here are lined with houses that are adorned by the typical red-tiled roofs. These red-tiled roofs have been popular since a long time and Mangalore is known for it. Mangalore tourism has a wide array of sightseeing attractions for tourists that include beaches, temples, museums, chapels and the overall scenic landscape.
A place of religious significance is the Kudroli Gokarnanatheshwara Temple that is visited by devotees from all over the place. Another temple where devotees come to pay their respects at is the Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple. This temple was built in 1086 AD and is situated atop the highest hill in the region. Sri Manjunatha temple has a beautiful bronze statue of Lord Lokeshwar inside it. A brilliant view of the entire region can be seen from the premises of this temple here. Seemanthini Bai Bejai Museum and the hillock of Lighthouse are other interesting features of Mangalore tourism. The 19th century paintings by Italian Jesuit priest Antonio Moscheni in the St. Aloysius Chapel is another popular tourist attraction here that are an important feature of Mangalore tourism. Lighthouse Hill Garden with an 18th century lighthouse built by Haider Ali offers brilliant view of the sea down below. Sultan Battery, a watchtower made of black stones constructed by Tippu Sultan, is yet another attraction in Mangalore.
Mangalore’s coastline is lined with several beaches like Someshwara beach, Mukka beach, KREC beach, Panambur beach and Tannirbavi beach. The Mahatma Gandhi Museum is another famous attraction here. Mangalore tourism also includes religious tourism of which Karkala is an important Jain pilgrim centre. Created in memory of the Muslim saint Syed Muhammad Shareef Madani Melangadi called the Ullal Jama Masjid is another attraction here. Durga Parameshwari Temple is thronged by devotees on the occasion of Lakshadeepotsava.
Author is an expert article writer, contributes for Mangalore Hotels.
