Located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, Mangalore is a port city in the Dakshin Kannada District, in the state of Karnataka. It is almost 350 km to the west of Bangalore, the state capital and is a popular as a quick getaway from the city. Mangalore is full of coconut palms, hills and streams and is known for its temples and beaches.
History of Mangalore
According to legend, Mangalore derives its name from the local Hindu Goddess, Mangaladevi. It is an ancient city where sages like Vysa, Vashista, Kanva and Vishwamitra are believed to have spent their days meditating in the Sahyadri Mountains.
Mangalore is a historical city and was called by different names in different periods of history. In 715 AD during the era of the Pandya rulers, it was called ‘Managalapuram’, in the 11th century it was called ‘Manjarur.’ According to the information of an Arabian traveller, many powerful dynasties had ruled Mangalore for several years. Some of them are the Kadambas, Vijayanagar dynasty, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas and the Hoysalas.
The famous rulers Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan belonged to this place and Mangalore had been a source of contention between them and the British. Finally the British took over this territory in 1799. Apart from the British, the Portuguese also ruled the place.
Things to do in Mangalore
Today Mangalore is one of the major Indian ports in the Arabian Sea. Presently it handles more than 75% of India's exports and the majority of the nation's cashew exports. It is now used as a staging point for sea traffic along the Malabar Coast.
Tourists can buy Mangalore holiday packages and visit attractions in Mangalore, which include places like Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, 3 km from the city. It is a place of religious importance. There is also the Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple, which was built long back in 1086 AD; it is situated on the highest hill of the area. It gives a spectacular view of the surrounding area. It is home to India’s best bronze statue of the God Lokeshwara.
Food & shopping in Mangalore
Mangalorean cuisine is renowned across India and a visit to Mangalore is not complete without tasting its local delicacies such as Mangalorean fish curry, crab curry, fried fish, neer dosa, lobster neeruli and cashew upkari among others. The city is also known for serving a varied ice cream flavours, cold coffee and thick shakes. A visit to local ice cream parlours is a must for tourists. As for shopping, Mangalore is home to many malls and local shops that sell national and international clothing brands and accessories.
Travelling to Mangalore
The best time to visit Mangalore is from December to February. Mangalore is well connected by flights to several destinations in India. The nearest airport is the Mangalore Bajpe Airport, about 10 km from the city centre. Tourists can also reach Mangalore by train as it is a major stop in the Southern Railway and is to cities like Pune, Chennai, Madgaon, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Bangalore among others. Buses are also available from Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai and other places to Mangalore.
Accommodation options in Mangalore
There are numerous hotel options in Mangalore for tourists. Right from beach resorts to budget and luxurious hotels located in the city, travellers are spoilt for choice.
