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A melting pot of various cultures, languages, and lifestyles, the coastal city of Mangalore is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.
Situated on the western coastline of India, stretching along the shores of the Arabian Sea, Mangalore is an ideal destination if you're looking for a blend of urban comfort and natural beauty. This idyllic coastal city is dotted with sunny beaches and coconut plantations, making it a great choice for a romantic getaway. Known as the 'Rome of the East', Mangalore boasts of rich historical architecture that reflects its past. The city is named after the Goddess Mangaladevi, who is believed to be a manifestation of Goddess Shakti. The rolling hills, scintillating beaches, abundant wildlife, delectable cuisine, and freshwater streams make Mangalore a breathtaking haven. The city reaches its peak of beauty during the monsoon season, as the rain imbues it with an enchanting atmosphere. With the places that I visited in and around Mangalore, the reasons to visit this lovely city are plenty.
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Panambur Beach is a popular getaway destination that is famous for thrilling water sports, stunning sunsets, and fine water views. During my visit, I enjoyed sunbathing and taking a stroll on the beach. If you're feeling adventurous, you can indulge in banana boat rides, buggy and horse riding, jet skiing, and water scooter rides. Panambur Beach also hosts various carnivals throughout the year. The kite flying, boat racing, and sand sculpture-making competitions here are famous across the world. Despite the massive footfall each year, Panambur remains one of the cleanest beaches in Mangalore.
Situated atop Lighthouse Hill, St. Aloysius College Chapel in Mangalore is an architectural masterpiece that was constructed in 1884. This splendid chapel is a replica of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. The moment I walked in, I felt like I was in Vatican City! The stunning frescoes of the Chapel are the work of the Italian artist, Antonio Moscheni. They are among the most splendidly preserved historic artefacts in India. These striking paintings depict stories and illustrations from the Bible.
Pilikula Nisargadhama is an eco-tourism destination that is both beautiful as well as educational. Spread over 370 acres, the park includes forest land, Pilikula Lake, an arboretum, a science centre, a lake park, a water park, and a golf course. Pilikula, which translates to ‘tiger pond’ in English, is named after the lake that is believed to have been frequented by tigers. If you're looking for a change of pace from city life or a long getaway, this park is a superb place to unwind and enjoy nature. Trust me, this is a hidden gem worth visiting!
Also known as Kudroli Gokarnath Temple, Gokarnanatheshwara Temple is dedicated to Gokarnanatha, a form of Lord Shiva. This magnificent temple was built by Sri Narayana Guru, who was forbidden from entering other temples in the region. However, Sri Narayana Guru made this temple open to all people, irrespective of their caste or creed. As I walked towards the temple complex, I couldn't take my eyes off the towering gopuram! The temple is famous for its stunning golden gopuram (gateway) and Dravidian architecture, and draws thousands of devotees from across India.
Situated in the heart of Mangalore, Bejai Museum is also known as Seemanthi Bai Government Museum. The museum was established in 1955 and offers a detailed insight into Indian culture, history, and heritage. The two-storeyed museum resembles a majestic ship and houses an impressive collection of sculptures, weapons, paintings, and other artefacts. The ancient coin collection was particularly intriguing to me.
If you are a history buff like me, Sultan Battery should be on your itinerary. This watchtower is named after Tipu Sultan, the erstwhile ruler of Mysore. He built the tower in 1784 to watch invading ships passing through the Arabian Sea. The underground chambers were used to store gunpowder and canons to prepare for invasions. I climbed up to the top of the watchtower to soak in panoramic views of the Arabian Sea and the surrounding area. The vistas were totally worth the climb!
Perched atop the Kadri Hills, the 10th-century Manjunathan Temple enshrines the oldest idol of Manjunathaswamy in South India. The temple is best visited in January when the nine-day annual festival begins. Manjunathan Temple is revered by the Hindu communities of the South.
Among the architectural masterpieces that I visited in Mangalore, the beautiful Cathedral of Rosario is etched in my mind for its intricate design, high ceilings, stained-glass art, and majestic arches. Built by Portuguese colonialists in 1568, the cathedral quickly became a popular place of worship for all the elite locals in the area. It was remodelled by Jesuit experts in 1910.
I drove around 12 km from Mangalore to visit Ullal Beach, which is a great place to watch the sunset, relax, and unwind. Dotted with palm and casuarina plantations, the beach offers an unmatched view of the cerulean Arabian Sea. Upon reaching the beach, I indulged in a refreshing swim, before heading for a snack at one of the many eateries and shacks. If you are into watersports, Ullal Beach is a wonderful place to try surfing. Doesn't this sound like the perfect activity for a weekend getaway?
Situated on the outskirts of Mangalore, Tannirbhavi Beach attracts crowds of tourists, each year, with its picturesque sunsets. Unlike the beaches of Goa, the beaches in Mangalore are relatively less crowded, making them ideal getaway spots to enjoy the ocean. During my visit, I enjoyed a stroll on the beach, walking bare feet while feeling the breeze blowing through my hair. I paused for a bit to sit and gaze at the azure ocean while admiring the untarnished beauty of the beach.
The city of Mangalore celebrates various festivals and organises fairs throughout the year. Some of the notable ones are Aati Festival, Tiger Dance, Car Festival, Dussehra, and Yakshagana. While I haven't had the opportunity to attend any of these festivals, I've heard great things about them. Among the most famous festivals here is the Car Festival, which is celebrated at the Venkatramana Temple each year. Also known as Mangalore Rathotsava, this festival is celebrated for a week in January. The highlight here is the Kodial Theru or Theru, an enormous wooden car that makes for quite a sight! Sounds interesting, right? You've got to visit Mangalore for it!
No account of Mangalore is complete without talking about its rich, diverse cuisine. The cuisine of Mangalore is greatly influenced by various other cuisines of South India. Yet, the Mangalorean fare has its distinct flavours and textures, which make it stand out from other cuisines. Besides seafood, Mangalorean cuisine has various other delicacies that are worth a try, notably the pork sorpotel which has its roots in Portuguese cuisine. You also don't want to miss their pork bafat with savoury sannas! Sanna is a soft, spongy idli, while bafat is a popular Portuguese spice. Mangalore is also famous for its Anjal masala fry, a spicy fish fry. I highly recommend trying the chicken sukka, idiyappam, neer dosa, and egg curry at the local eateries here.
Mangaluru, Kudla, Kodiyal, Maikala, and Mangalapuram are the various names of Mangalore. Just like these names, this coastal city has multitudes of colours and goodness to offer. Churches, temples, bio reserves, beaches, and heritage sites—the list is so long, I will need to plan my next getaway to soak it all in!
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