Karnataka - Tourism & Wildlife - Mangalore @ whatisindia.com

MANGALORE
Mangalore is located near the backwaters formed by the converging Netravati and Gurpur rivers. The city derives its name from the presiding deity Mangaladevi, the goddess of fortune. With an important port, this coastal town is a major commercial centre. It is a centre for the export of coffee and cashew nuts. The city has a modern port now. The major home industries are Beedi's, Tiles, cashew and coffee curing and fishing.

How to get there:
Air: Mangalore city is accessible by almost all the transportation systems. The airport at Bajpe, is 16 km from the city center. Major airways services have been flying here. One can take the locally available road transport medium to reach the airport to catch a flight.
Airport Enquiries (Arrival) : 142
Airport Enquiries (Departure) : 143
Air India reservation : 0824-2493875

Rail: The Mangalore train station is on the southern fringe of the city center. However, some of the trains stop at the Kankanadi Station situated 5 km east of the Mangalore main city. The Konkan Railways, Kerala -Mangalore Railways and Hassan Mangalore Railways are the major railway services here.
Railway Enquiries : 0824-2423137
Reservations : 0824-2424002
Kankanady Station : 0824-2437824

Road: The state transport system is well maintained in the city, which connects it with the nearby places of importance. All nooks and corners of the district could be reached by bus. The district is passed through NH 48 and NH 17 and this connects the district to other major towns in the country. Numbers of auto-rickshaws are also available in the main city area.

Mangaladevi Temple
Mangalore city derives its name from the presiding Deity Mangaladevi, the Goddess of fortune. The 10th century temple is situated 3 Km. away from main City Bus stand. This temple built by the Ballal family of Attavar in memory of a Malabar Princess - a princess of Kerala, is a tile roofed low structure.

Kadri Manjunath Temple
The Temple is situated 4 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus Stand, at the foot of the Kadri Hill reputedly inhabited by local Yogis. The Kadri Temple, a square shrine with a pyramidal roof dates back to about 1068 A.D. The seated idol of Lokeshwara, a three-faced figure with six arms, 1.6m high is reputed to be one of the best bronze statues in India.

On top of the Kadri hill, there is a 'Jogimutt' and some stone caves known as the caves of the Pandavas. They attract a lot of pilgrims every year. There is also a park having Snakes & Animals Zoo, Toy Train and a beautiful garden.

St. Aloysius College Chapel
The Chapel is situated a km away from Nehru Maidan Bus stand, on the light house hill. The chapel built in the year 1899-1900 has exquisite frescoes covering the walls and the ceilings. The 19th century paintings were painted by the Italian trained Jesuit priest Antony Moscheni.
Open from 8.30 to 10.00 am and 3.30 to 6.00 pm.

Light House Hill-Garden
The 18th century light house, believed to have built by Haider Ali, is situated a Km. away from the Bus Stand. There is a garden there and One can get a beautiful view, of the sea, the sailing ships and boats from there.

Sultan Battery
The watch tower constructed by Tipu Sultan, is situated 4 Km. from the City. Built in Black Stones, it gives the impression of a miniature fortress with its arrangements for mounting cannons all-round.

Museums
Shreemanthi Bai Memorial Government Museum The museum just beyond the KSRTC bus stand has a small collection of antiquities. Wooden carvings of divinities such as Bhairava and Hanuman, stone sculptures dating back as early as 13C, porcelain and a remarkable bronze bell with a miniature Lakshmi shrine are found here.
Open 9 am to 5 pm except Mondays.

Mahatma Gandhi Museum
The collection in the museum includes zoology, anthropology, sculpture, art, coins and manuscripts. It is situated in Canara High School is open from 9.30 to 12.30pm and 2 to 5.30pm.

Places Around Mangalore
Ullal
This pilgrim centre and beach resort is located 12kms from Mangalore. The Ullal Jamma Masjid here in memory of the Muslim saint Syed Muhamed Shareef Madani Melangadi is a famous pilgrim centre for the Muslims. The Summer Sands Beach Resort having rooms, restaurant and a swimming pool near the beach, is a pleasant place to stay.

Moodabidire
Situated 35kms from Mangalore, Moodabidire is famous for its Jain temples known as Basti's. There are 18 Bastis, the oldest and the largest is the Chandranatha Basti (1429) famous for its 1000 pillared hall. 'The Jain Matha' near the entrance has an important collection of manuscripts. Other shrines worthy of mention are Shantinatha, Settara, Derama Setti Basti, Guru Basti, Kote and Vikrama Setti Basti.

Karkala
50Kms from Mangalore and 20kms from North of Moodabidire, is Karkala, an important centre of Jainism. There are several important temples and a 13metres high statue of Bahubali (Gomateswara), situated on a small hill. The statue is a naked figure reached by a flight of rock-cut steps. Some of the temples are Chaturmukha Basti (1587), Neminatha Basti, Anatapadmanabha Temple(1567) dedicated to Vishnu, and Venkataramana temple.

Venur
Situated 50kms NE of Mangalore, has eight Bastis and ruins of a Mahadeva temple. The largest of them is the 17C Kalli Basti, dedicated to Shantinatha. There is a Gommanteswara Monolith, 11metres high dating back to 1604 in Venur.

Malpe Beach
Situated 66 kms north of Mangalore, near Manipal. The peaceful surroundings, makes this beach a favorite holiday spot. The uninhibited St. Mary's Island, just a boat ride away has a beach and an impressive geological formation of basalt rock pillars into the sea.

Dharmastala
Situated 75 kms from Mangalore, Dharmastala is an attractive site surrounded by forested hills, rice fields and by the river Netravati on all sides. The Manjunatha temple here is a famous pilgrim centre. A Monolithic statue of Bahubali 14metres high was erected here in 1973. Visitors are provided with free boarding and lodging by the temple authorities. There is a small museum, Manjusha Museum located opposite to the temple. There are two temple chariots covered in wooden figures and all types of religious objects including carved and painted panels, bronze sculptures and bells.

Kollur
Kollur is 147 Kms from Mangalore. The famous temple of goddess Mookambika is located here on top of Kodachadri hill, at the foot of the Western Ghats. The goddess takes the form of a 'Jyotirlinga' incorporating aspects of Shiva and Shakti. It is a famous pilgrimage centre attracting lot of devotees.

Reference:
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