Mangalore or Mangaluru is an Arabian Sea port and a major commercial center in the state of Karnataka, India. Mangalore is named after the goddess Mangaladevi, the local; deity. Mangalore is known for its amazing beaches, seaports and a diverse culture. Being a historically important place Traditionally, it was an important trading port with ties with the Persian Gulf states dating back to the 14th century. Mangalore is a famous tourist attraction and is home to the famous Kadri Manjunath Temple, known for its bronze statues, and the 9th-century Mangaladevi Temple.
One of the earliest references to the city’s name was made in 715 CE by the Pandyan King Chettian, who called the city Mangalapuram. Mangalore’s historical importance is highlighted by the many references to the city by foreign travellers.[24] During the first century CE, the Roman historian Pliny the Elder made references to a place called “Nitrias” as an undesirable place for disembarkation because of the pirates who frequented its vicinity,[while Greek second-century historian Ptolemy referred to a place called “Nitra”.
Mangalore is considered the heart of a distinct multi-linguistic cultural region, the homeland of the Tulu-speaking people. In 1498, European influence in Mangalore began when the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama landed at the nearby St Mary’s Islands. Its also famous for its Catholic churches including Milagres Church, dating to the 17th century, and St. Aloysious Chapel, which features fabulous interior paintings. Tannirbhavi beach is one of the most popular attraction here and is known for its sunrise and sunset views.
Situated 250 km west of Bangalore, the state capital of Karnataka, the coastal town of Mangalore Well connected by sea, air, road and rail there are numerous places for sightseeing in and around the city. Tourism in Mangalore is known for its beautiful beaches namely Someshwar Beach, Panambur Beach, Surathkal Beach, Tannirbavi Beach, Kapu Beach, and Malpe Beach and all are great spots not just for watching sunrise and sunset but also swimming. Mangalore, is famed for its delicious seafoods and authentic Kannada dishes.
Restaurants serve wide variety of mouth-watering cuisine at reasonable prices including south Indian Kannada, Chinese, Mughlai and International. Perfect for a weekend destination, Mangalore can definitely be ultimate choice for holiday makers. Mangalore is also known as the ‘Cradle of Education’ in Karnataka with numerous educational institutes operating that attracts students from across the country. The town is famous for attracting pilgrims who come to visit temples such as Shree Kalikamba Vinayaka Temple, Shree Shanaishchara Temple, Carstreet Venkataramana Temple Kudroli Gokarnanatha, Someshwar Somanath Temple Kadri Manjunatheswara, Urwa Marigudi, Adyapady Adinatheshwara, Bajpe, Shree Shanaishchara Temple, Sharavu Ganapathi Temple, and Kateel Durgaparameshwari.
The Jamia Masjid at Kudroli and Hayatul Islam Masjid also are an important pilgrimage spot. Tourist can also visit the Shreemanti Bai Memorial Museum. Tourist can also visit Pilikula Nisarga Dhama 12 km from the city, it is an important entertainment centre with water theme park, animal park, boating, science centre, arboretum, golf course, 3-D planetarium, etc., all in one place. Mangalore is not just about temples and beaches, there is enough for adventure seekers also.
The Western Ghats near Mangalore provide an ideal location for trekking in the dense jungles. India’s first surf club “Mantra Surf Club” is located just 24Kms from Mangalore at Mulki with huge opportunities for surfing enthusiasts. Tourist can also enjoy kayaking at sea and cycle ride through the jungle. There are numerous hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and lodges in and around Mangalore that provide luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation to touristy. Tourists interested in shopping can opt for a variety of local and branded products from numerous markets and shopping malls in the city.
Open throughout the year the climate of the city is pleasant. As a major industrial and commercial hub there are numerous factories and offices as well as an ever-growing IT industry in the city. Most of the popular Indian festivals are celebrated, the most important being Dasara, Diwali, Christmas, Easter, Eid, and Ganesh Chaturthi with much fervor. Kodial Theru, also known as Mangaluru Rathotsava (chariot festival) is a unique local festival celebrated by the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community here at the city’s Sri Venkatramana Temple. a visit to Mangalore is a memorable experience without a doubt.
