Lavinia Woolf
The Port city of Mangalore is the second largest city in India's southern Karnataka State. A fast developing city, the diversity of its residents is reflected in Mangalore's vibrant culture. Named after the Hindu deity Mangaladevi, Mangalore's star attractions include its diverse pilgrim sites.
A deeply spiritual city, Mangalore is home to many religious sites and is an ideal pilgrim destination. Among the city's historic Hindu temples are the famous Kadri Manjunath Temple and Kudroli Gokarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with many of the city's temples playing host to cultural festivals such as the Yakshangana dance and drama festival. The city's Western influence can be seen in the famous St. Aloysius Chapel, a 19th century church modeled after Rome's Sistine Chapel and the Roman Style Milagres Church. The Masjid ZeenathBaksh stands as a tribute to an exemplary Indian mosque, representing a blend of Islamic and Indian architectural styles. With the city's title as a popular pilgrim destination Mangalore Hotel Packages can be found easily.
Sitting on India's west coast, several beautiful beaches stretch across Mangalore's shoreline. The ambiance of the beaches are as diverse as the cityscape itself with the tranquility of the Tannirbhavi and Surathkal beaches (with even a lighthouse on Surathkal beach) standing in contrast to the crowded Panambur and Ullal beaches with its water sport facilities and abundant food stalls. Visit the St. Mary's Islands, known for its unique rock formation believed to be as a result of pre-historic volcanic activity and Sultan Battery, the remnants of Tipu Sultan's fort and watchtower. A stay at a beachside hotel such as The Gateway Hotel Old Port Road Mangalore offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea.
A true metropolis, the city boasts many parks and recreational areas amidst its commercial districts. A city dedicated to preserve nature, Mangalore is home to nature parks such as Pilikula Nisargadhama, which spreads over 370 acres and includes a golf course, an Amusement Park and Heritage and Artisan villages. Among the city's popular Animal Conservation Parks is the Sammilan Shetty's Butterfly Park, an open-air butterfly conservation park that is home to over 100 species of butterflies including some endemic butterfly species, and Kadri Hill Park which is Mangalore's largest park and zoo housing many species of animals, reptiles and birds. Mangalore's Light House Hill Garden with spectacular views of the beach promises visitors quiet relaxation while the Pilikula Golf Club and the Manasa Amusement and Water Park is the place to be for fun outdoor activities.
Mangalore takes pride in the city's rich colonial history with efforts being made to preserve artifacts dating to colonial times. The city is home to the Mahatma Gandhi Museum and the Bejai Museum. Built in 1930 and named after India's Founder, the Mahatma Gandhi Museum houses zoological and anthropological findings along with archaeological artifacts that include sculpture, art, coins and ancient manuscripts. The Bejai Museum, located in the heart of the Mangalore city showcases artifacts dating to the 16th century including collections of ancient and foreign coins, metallic icons, statues, lamps and copper inscriptions with its main attraction being the copper inscription dating to the 15th century Keladi Nayaka dynasty.
Established in 1974, this relatively modern site plays an important role in the regions trading activity while continuing the city's Port legacy. The New Mangalore Port Trust is the only major Port in the Karnataka State and is the ninth biggest port in India. Strategically located to the north of where the Gurupura River meets the Arabian Sea, the Port is a hub of activity serving the Karnataka State and nearby Kerala.
