Coconut Palms and Serence Beaches Welcome You at this Beautiful Coastal Town: 10 Best Places to Visit in Mangalore in 2020

Every place has a story to tell and a history that a traveller should know to appreciate the traditions, attractions, locales, and the life of the place better. The name of Mangalore is after the Goddess Mangaladevi and speaks of the rich cultural experience it has to offer.

It was part of the Mauryan Empire of the third century BCE. Kadamba dynasty ruled Mangalore from third to sixth century BCE. From seventh to fourteenth century AD, the place was ruled by Alupas. Vijayanagar rulers controlled Mangalore from 1345 to 1550. In 1763, Hyder Ali conquered Mangalore and ruled it till 1767. When his son Tipu sultan was defeated, Mangalore was taken over by British East India Company and later became a part of the British Empire. Post-independence, it became a part of Mysore state or today’s Karnataka.

What was Mangalore like in medieval times? In 1801, Francis Buchanan, a Scottish physician, described Mangalore as a prosperous port bustling with trading. Rice was exported from here to Mumbai, Goa, Malabar, and Muscat. Mangalore was also shipping several other items. Supari was exported to Surat, Mumbai, and Kutch. Sandalwood and pepper were also exported from here to Mumbai. Turmeric, cassia, sugar, cinnamon, iron, ginger, timber, and coir were the other major exports from Mangalore during this period.

Money lending became prominent during the British period and led to the development of banking. European missionaries contributed to the growth of educational institutions and also led to the moulding of Mangalore as a modern industrial hub. The missionaries set up a printing press, textile mills, and factories to manufacture tiles. The famous Mangalore tiles factories were set up during this time. After independence, Mangalore grew as a port city and is a hub for many manufacturing and industrial activities. Now, Mangalore is the eighth largest port of the country.

The rich history and the diverse nature of Mangalore where tradition meets modernity make it an ideal place to experience a vacation away from the city crowd. A trip to Mangalore brings you to mesmerizing beaches, coconut trees, lush greenery, ancient temples resplendent with serenity and architectural beauty, modern industries, ports, and markets. You can enjoy the thrills of water sports at the beach, calm your senses watching one of the most beautiful sunsets, embark on a spiritual journey visiting the many temples here, or explore nature and culture of Mangalore to expand your knowledge. Even a day spent visiting the beautiful places in Mangalore can leave you with memories for a lifetime.

Mangalore is a beautiful town with many attractions that shouldn’t be missed by travellers. These tourist spots in Mangalore are going to make your vacation an experience of fun, culture, and rejuvenation.

If a beach to enjoy with a breathtaking sunset while your kids play freely is what you are looking for, visit Panambur beach, which is among the safest beaches of India. It is located 13 km from Mangalore. People flock to this fun-filled beach every year to enjoy the many carnivals, kite flying, boat racing, horse rides, camel rides, and many other exciting activities. It is unbelievably clean despite the crowd, and there are friendly lifeguards ever ready to assist you. The beach is run by a private enterprise that sticks to a clean and green beach as its motto.

Dolphin viewing is an exciting activity at the beach. The International Kite Festival held every two years, and the kite festival carnival held in April offers loads of fun for kids and adults. To enjoy this beautiful beach to its fullest, visit it between November and June.

Gokarnantheswara temple is located 2 km from Mangalore city in the Kudroli area. It is a magnificent temple with a divine atmosphere to soothe the visitor. Sri Narayana Guru built it in 1912 for the Bilava community, which was not allowed to enter other temples. The presiding deity is Lord Shiva, and the origin of the Shiva lingam here is still a mystery. Any time of the year is great to visit the temple, and the Durga Puja festival celebrated in grandeur shouldn’t be missed.

If you love history, culture, and art, you will enjoy examining the minute architecture on the walls. Visit the temple during the early morning or late evening to avoid the crowd. Most of the festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Krishnashtami, Nagara Panchami, Navaratri, Deepavali, and Sri Narayana Jayanthi are celebrated in splendour, and people attend these festivals from all over the world to get the blessings of the deity.

A devotee of Lord Shiva should not miss this temple located on the hills of Kadri. Its construction dates back to the 10th century and was converted into a stone structure in the 14th century. The Manjunathaswamy idol here is the oldest one among the temples in South India. According to the legend, Lord Shiva answered Parasurama’s prayers and resided here as Manjunatha along with his consort Parvati to bless the world.

A visit to the temple will leave your senses tranquil in the astounding natural beauty of the surroundings. Kadri hills are rich with caves containing prehistoric shreds of evidence of the legend. The minor deities in the temple are Gorakanatha, Shringinath, Machendranath, Lokshewara, Durga, Ganesha, Manjushri, and even Buddha. If you visit the temple during January, you can take part in the Annual Jatra Mahotsava, a pompous festival.

While you are in Mangalore, visit the Kudla Central Market in Hampankatta without fail. It is one of the busiest and famous markets in Mangalore. A variety of goods are sold here, and you get a mix of culture and tradition in the Kudla central market. The market has a maze of narrow streets and sells vegetables, meat, fruits, spices, ayurvedic medicines, cashew, apparel, and even lifestyle products. You can also find shops selling a range of electronic items here.

Buy some cashew to take back with you. The cashews sold here are crunchy, of high quality, and priced reasonably. The market brings many quality products and souvenirs which you can buy at low rates.

Tannirbhavi beach invites visitors with golden sand, fresh air, and beautifully scenic nature. It is the second most famous beach in Mangalore after Panambur beach and is located 11 km from the town. The water sports at the beach are fun, and you can enjoy without restraint as there are trained lifeguards around to ensure your safety. Boating, jet-skiing, surfing, and kayaking are some adventurous activities you can engage in here. Caution is advised while entering the water. It is mostly crowded, especially on weekends.

Nature buffs can also visit the Tannirbhavi Natural Park near the beach. You can find several unique species of Western Ghats and medicinal plants here. The many sculptures here like Yakshagana and Bhuta Kola gives you an opportunity to learn more about the traditions of the region.

This construction dates back to the period of Tippu Sultan. It was constructed as a military base station and watchtower to obstruct the English warships from reaching the shore. Beautifully built in black stones, it is an architectural marvel and has terrific views of the sea from the top. As you explore, you can find mounting places on the walls for the canons and an underground storage location for gun powder. The underground room has a secret route leading to Mysore, which is now locked by the authorities.

The place is surrounded by forests and also tea and cardamom plantations. There are lots of activities for adventure lovers such as windsurfing, banana boat rides, speed boating, and canoeing. There are also several food stalls to indulge in the local delicacies. While visiting, try to avoid late evenings as it is slightly isolated.

Sakthi is worshiped in this temple as Mangaladevi, and a fascinating fact is that Mangalore is named after Mangaladevi. This temple is located 3 km from the center of Mangalore in Bolaro. It was constructed during the 9th century in Keralan style architecture. For a truly spiritual experience, you should visit the temple during the aarti times. Since photography is allowed, you can click the devotional movements to take back with you. The walls of the temple have several fascinating artefacts about Hindu culture.

Out of the many festivals celebrated here, the grandest one is the Navratri festival. Do not miss the special pujas during the Navaratri. On the tenth day of Navratri, Rathotsava happens, where the Goddess is taken out on the golden chariot, and the devotees gather together to pull the rope. Before you leave, visit all the idols of the Goddess at different locations in the temple for a fulfilling spiritual experience.

Bejai museum is situated in the heart of the city and is the only museum in Mangalore. It is uniquely shaped like a ship and was built by Colonel V. R. Mirajkarin in 1955. A history lover has plenty to explore here. It has several ancient artifacts, idols, metallic icons, paintings, statues, and copper inscriptions. The inscription with the verses of Venkatappa Nayaka is one of the major attractions of the museum, and you can also view a vast collection of ancient coins of Pakistan and East India Company. The museum provides you an excellent insight into Indian heritage.

Ullal beach is located 12 km away from central Mangalore in the small fishing village of Ullal and on the banks of Nethravathi River. The magnificent views of the beach and the tranquility it offers makes it an ideal place for swimming and sunbathing. The major attractions of Ullal beach are the angler’s path, coconut trees, Abakka Devi post, and the Jain sanctuaries of the sixteenth century.

The sunset at Ullal beach is an awesome experience in the backdrop of the casuarinas forests. The waters are spotless and are perfect for a refreshing swim. For some action and adventure there are plenty of water sports around the beach. With many eateries along the beach you need not go far for a taste of the local food. St.Sebastain’s Church, Someswara Temple, and Queen Abakka’s Fort are nearby to the beach and ideal to explore and learn about the tradition.

Kadri Hill Park is the largest and diverse natural park in Mangalore and is located near Kadri Manjunatha Temple. The park is home to a variety of animals and rare bird species. If local beliefs interest you, try the water from the eight tanks, which, as per the belief, can cure all skin diseases.

The natural beauty of the park is unparalleled with abundant plant life and flowers that bloom all year. The adjacent animal conservatory has diverse animals like sambar, spotted deer, anteaters, jackals, crocodiles, monkeys, leopard, reptiles, and rare birds. Enjoy nature, and let your kids have fun at the play zone in the park.

The Mangalore Airport is only 15 km from the city and is well-connected to the city center by buses and taxis. The Mangalore Railway Station is connected to most of the major cities in India by express trains. Buses and taxis are available from the station to reach the city. Plenty of state bus services are available connecting Mangalore with the major cities and also provide excellent road connectivity within the town.