Located along the Arabian Sea, the beautiful coastal city of Mangalore is one of the important centers of education and healthcare in India.
The city is famous for its many professional colleges, which attract students from all over the world. The high educational standard of the region has prompted major software companies to set up their I.T. parks and BPO in Mangalore.
Mangalore is the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district, which is a flourishing hub of trade and commerce. The region has given birth to four nationalised banks and is famous for its traditional industries like cashew processing, tile manufacturing and beedi rolling. Having the only all-weather port of Karnataka, the city is considered to the 'Gateway of Karnataka' and has many small and heavy industries.
Being situated at the foothills of the towering Western Ghats mountain range, with its rich flora and fauna, Dakshina Kannada is famous for its abundant greenery, natural splendour and scenic beauty.
Mangalore has pleasant weather and well educated people who are friendly and amicable. The region has a vibrant history and cultural heritage, made famous by Yakshagana (folk theatre), Kambala (water buffalo race), Bhoota Kola (spirit worship) etc.
Mangalore is the only city of Karnataka state that is well connected by all four modes of transport - road, rail, air and sea.
By Air: Mangalore International Airport is located at Bajpe, which is at a distance of 14 kms from Hotel The Prestige. The airport services daily Domestic flights to and fro Mumbai, Bangaore, Chennai, Goa , Kochi and Kozhikode along with direct International flights to Sharjah, Dubai, Kuwait, Quatar and Abu Dhabhi.
By train: Both Konkan Railway and Southern Railway networks touch the city, giving broad-gauge link to Goa, Mumbai, New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Cochin and Chennai. The city has two railway stations - Mangalore Central (2 kms) and Kankanady (5 kms).
Bajpe Airport |
14 kms |
Pilikula Nisarga Dhama |
9 kms |
New Mangalore Port |
9 kms |
Kateel Temple |
25 kms |
Railway Station |
2 kms |
Udupi |
60 kms |
KSRTC Bus Stand |
2 kms |
Dharmasthala |
75 kms |
Hampankatta (City Center) |
1 km |
Subrahmanya |
110 kms |
City Centre Mall / Cinepolis |
2 kms |
Kollur Temple |
140 kms |
Dr. T.M.A. Pai Intl. Convention Center |
1 km |
Madikeri (Coorg) |
140 kms |
Kadri Temple |
1 kms |
Murdeshwar |
165 kms |
Forum Mall / PVR |
3 kms |
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Mangaladevi Temple
The shrine, from which the city of Mangalore derives its name, this temple is over 1000 years old.
Kadri Manjunath Temple
Consecrated in 1068 A.D., this shrine is one of the oldest temples of the region and the idol of Lord Manjunathaswamy is considered to be one of the oldest in south India. Sharavu Sri Mahaganapathi Temple
Perhaps Mangalore's most famous temple, the Sri Sharavu Sharabeshwara - Sri Mahaganapathy Kshetra has an illustrious history of over 800 years.
St. Aloysius Chapel
Paintings on Biblical themes adorn every inch of this monument. This century old chapel was painted by Antonio Moscheni, an Italian scholastic in the year 1899-1900. Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple
This temple, which has been recently renovated, is one of the tourist attraction places in Mangalore. Dasara Festival is celebrated with great pomp here, which includes the annual lantern festival and a grand Navarathri procession of the city by the deity.
Syed Madani Dargah, Ullal
Famous for the Uroos Fair, this is one the main mosques in the region and attracts pilgrims from far and near. Pilikula Nisargadhama
This is a new eco-education complex situated 9 kms from Mangalore and features a wide variety of attractions including a water park, zoo, heritage village, arboretum, science centre and a lake-park with boating facilities.
Beaches
Being situated within motorable distance of some of the best beaches of Karnataka, a visit to Mangalore gives you the opportunity to top up your holiday with a great outing by the sea. Here are some of the better known sea-side destinations:
1000 Pillar Temple
The Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani basadi, as this Jain shrine is formally known,
The Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani basadi, as this Jain shrine is formally known, is the largest of its kind in coastal Karnataka and is considered to be the most ornate of the Jain temples of this region. It was built in successive stages between 1430 and 1516. The stone carvings of this temple are of high quality and never fail to impress the visitor. The 9 feet high bronze statue of Chandranath in Kayotsarg posture is very attractive. It bears the inscription dated March 27, 1430. It is in this basadi that the rare Jain palm leaf manuscripts of 12th century A.D. known as 'Dhavala texts' were discovered.
Kateel Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple
Situated on the banks of River Nandini, 28 kms away from Moodabidri amidst beautiful surroundings, is the spiritual nerve centre of South Kanara district.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
Founded by the great Hindu Saint Madhwacharya, this famous temple dedicated Lord Krishna is also associated with bard Kanakadasa.
Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala
Situated on the banks of river Nethravathi, in the remote Belthangady taluk, this shrine dedicated to Sri Manjunathaswamy is maintained by the famous Heggade lineage. This heritage site also includes a museum and naturopathy centre. A gigantic monolithic statue of Gomateshwara has been installed here by the present Dhamadhikari, Padmabhushan Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade.
Karkala
This temple town is best known for the 42 feet tall statue of Bahubali (Gomateshwara) carved out of a single block of granite rock. This statue was erected in 1431-32. The Chaturmukha Basadi built in 1586-87 stands on the same slope. On the fringes of Karkala lies St. Lawrence Church. Built in 1759, the church has an unusual architecture and it attracts visitors from across the country.
Dakshina Kannada district has a colourful and vibrant cultural heritage, which can be witnessed in its performing arts, folk sports and rituals.
Naagamandala
An elaborate ritual dedicated to the snake god, this is an overnight event - an experience in itself.
Bhuta Kola
The ritual propitiation of the spirits, this overnight event involves an impersonator who takes on the role of a Bhoota - a legendary spirit invoking a folk hero of the region. This colourful and awe-inspiring event is as elaborate as it is wonderful.
Yakshagana
The typical dance-drama of Dakshina Kannada, this form of folk theatres draws its inspiration from the ancient epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. An earthy and reverberant and spell binding performance indeed.
Hulivesha or the Tiger Dance
The colourful tiger dance played during important festivals like Krishna Janmastami and Dasera.
Kambala
The awe inspiring water buffalo race of Dakshina Kannada - a feat drawing few parallels.
| Airlines | Destinations |
| Air India | Mumbai |
| Air India Express | Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kozhikode, Kuwait, Muscat |
| Air India Regional | Bengaluru |
| Jet Airways | Dubai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai |
| JetKonnect | Bengaluru, Chennai |
| SpiceJet | Bengaluru, Mumbai |
