Mangalore historical place in Karnataka

About Mangalore

Mangalore,the district headquarters, has a long history of maritime trade. Though developed as a business and commercial centres Mangalore still retains its old world charm-old tile-roofed buildings amidst coconut groves, fishing boats silhouetted against the darkening skyline, fishermen hauling in rich catch of fish,sea food served in spicy coconut curries. Mangalore is a remainder of the good times of life. The district offers a wide range of interesting places for both pilgrimage and pleasure tourists such as Dharmasthala, Subramanya, Kollur, Udupi, Karkala, Venoor and Moodabidri.

Interesting things to Visit

Tour to Mangalore Kadri is another ancient historic spot in Mangalore. The Kadri Temple dating back to about 1068 A.D. with its nine tanks, its square temple, nestling at the foot of the highest hill, draws to Mangalore hundreds of visitors annually. The Lokeshwara bronze statue of the Kadri Manjunatha Temple is tipped to be the best bronze statue in India. On top of the hill King Kundavarma Bhupendra built a mutt, which came to be called ‘Jogimutt’. There are some stone caves on top of the hill, which are known as the caves of the Pandavas.

St. Aloysius Church is situated 1 km away from the city’s main center. The walls of the church are covered with the paintings of the artist Antony Moshaini of Italy. The church was built in the year 1899-1900. St. Aloysius College Chapel, an architectural gem, comparable with the Sistine chapel in Rome, is situated on lighthouse hill. The special beauty of the chapel is the wonderful series of paintings that virtually cover every inch of the interior roof and walls.

Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple of Mangalore is known as a pilgrim center and boasts of many sacred temples like Sharavu, Kadri, Mangaladevi, and Kudroli etc. Out of these Sri Sharavu Sharabeshwara - Sri Mahaganapathi Kshetra is an outstanding, pious center of great illustrious history of marathon 800 years.

Kudroli Gokarnath Temple is situated 3 km away from main city area. Recently, this temple has been renovated and now it is one of the tourist attraction places in Mangalore.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

* Taj Manjarun Hotel Old Port Road, Mangalore 575001 Phone: +91-824-2420420 Fax: +91-824-2420585 Email: manjarun.mangalore@tajhotels.com
* Hotel Maurya Netravati Phone: +91-824-411192
* Moti Mahal Falnir Road Phone: +91-824-22211(10 lines)
* Vimlesh International Ganapathi Temple Road, Mangalore Phone: +91-824-33711(10 lines).
* Hotel Srinivas G.H.S Road , Mangalore Phone: +91-824-22381(10 lines)
* Hotel Navarathna Palace K.S.Road, Mangalore, Phone: +91-824-35680,35681
* Hotel Surya Greens Compound, Balmatta Road Mangalore-575001 Phone: +91-824-2425736, 2425746, 4253853
* Summer Sand Beach Hotel, Ullal Phone: +91-824-467690

Tips & Suggestions

Tiger Dance is a unique form of folk dance in Dakshina Kannada that fascinates the young and the old alike. Since tiger is considered as the favored carrier of Goddess Sharada (the deity in whose honor Dussehra is celebrated), this dance is performed during the Dussehra celebration. It is also performed during other festivals like Krishna Janmashtami.

Aati festival is also one of the festivals especially celebrated in Mangalore. Aatikalanja is a ritualistic folk dance performed by the Nalke community. Kalanja is the name of a minor spirit who is in charge of the protection of the village folk during the month of July-August rainy season. And that was Aati (Tulu for the month of Aashadha), wherein, according to the Hindu almanac, nature was at her vicious best. Aati commences from July 17 and runs up to August 15.

Along with the other Hindu festivals, Ganesh Puja and Navaratri are also celebrated here.

Nearest visiting places

Nethrani Island

Nethrani is a small uninhabited island, 18 km southwest off a small fishing village Murdeshwar and is shaped like a upturned boat with some vegetation along the rocky outcrop. The Island is famous for its Shiva temple and for having some of the best dive sites in world

Kumaradhara River

The Kumaradhara River is an Indian river, in the southwestern India state of Karnataka. One of the two major rivers of Sullia, it merges with the Netravati River at Uppinangadi before flowing to the Arabian Sea

Shambavi River

Shambavi is name of the river which flows in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state, India. Mulki town is south of river Shambavi. The river flows westwards to join the Arabian sea. Bappanadu Durga temple is situated near the river

Mukka Beach

Mukka is suburb of Mangalore city on the shore of Arabian sea. It is located to north of NITK,Surathkal campus on National Highway 17. There is a beach in Mukka which has escaped public attention

Panambur Beach

Panambur is the site of New Mangalore Port. It is located in Dakshina Kannada (formerly South Canara ) district of Karnataka state, India, north of the Gurupura river.There is a Nandaneshwara temple in Panambur

Someshwar Beach

Someshwar Beach, blessed with an endless stretch of golden sand and graciously swaying palm trees, is located 9 km south of Mangalore. The beach is well known for a large rock called ‘rudra shila’

Surathkal Beach

Located 15 km north of Mangalore, Suratkal Beach is known for its clean surroundings and a lighthouse. An uninterrupted and extremely attractive stretch of curving shoreline is a major feature of this beach. Sadashiva Temple is a nearby attraction

Tannirubhavi Beach

Tannirubhavi beach is a beach in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Currently, it can only be reach by land via Panambur or by ferry via Gurupura river from Sultan Battery

Ullal Beach

Ullal Beach is situated about 12 km away from Mangalore on the south bank of the Nethravati River, facing Arabian Sea. Mangalore is a city of vivid contrasts. Apart from this beach, there are other beaches also in Mangalore

Dharmasthala Temples

Dharmastala kshetra is located amongst the scenic beauty of the Western Karnataka on the banks of the Nethravathi River. The temple of Lord Manjunatha at Dharmastala is the star attraction in the Karnataka.

Kadiri Temples

The 17th century Manjunath Temple is situated at the foot of the Kadiri Hill, 3 km north of Mangalore city. The temple has some superb bronze images of Buddha, dating to the 10th - 11th centuries. The idol of Lord Manjunathaswamy of the temple is believed to be the oldest of the South Indian Temples

Katil Temples

The Name KATEEL: The word ‘Kati’ which means ‘center’ (between the ‘Kanakagiri’, birthplace of river Nandini and the end) and ‘lla’ which means ‘area’. Thus the place is called ‘Kati + lla’ = Kateel.
Kateel or Kateelu is a temple town in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. It is about 29 kilometers away from Mangalore and is considered one of the holiest temple towns in Hinduism

Subramanya Temples

Kukke Subrahmanya Kshetra lies in the luxurious abundance of the beauty of the nature nature with rivers, forests and mountains in Sullia Taluk of Dakshina Kannada (South Canara) District. Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is regarded as one of the seven Mukti stala pilgrimage sites of Karnataka. (Kollur, Udupi, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna are other Mukti places)

Mangalore Historicals

Situated in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Mangalore is one of the important centers of exporting coffee and cashew nut. It is a hilly city with winding disoriented streets located some 357 km away from the city Bangalore

Mudabidri

Mudabidri is another Jain town on par with Shrvanabelagola. It is 35 km from Mangalore. In this small farming town, there are 18 jain temples

Location info

karnataka.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and Vi all provide coverage across Karnataka. 4G is reliable in Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, and along highways. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Bandipur, Nagarhole, and certain Western Ghats sections. Most hotels, resorts, and cafes in tourist areas offer free Wi-Fi.

Food & restaurants nearby

Food options are available in the nearest town. Karnataka cuisine ranges from coastal seafood to Udupi vegetarian to Coorg’s pandi curry. Dosa, idli, bisi bele bath, and filter coffee are iconic.

Climate & weather

Karnataka has a varied climate from the humid coast to the dry Deccan plateau and cool Western Ghats. The best time to visit is October to March, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C depending on region. April–May is hot across most of the state (up to 38°C). The southwest monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rain to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape — this is the best time for Jog Falls and Coorg’s lush greenery. Hill stations (Coorg, Chikmagalur) remain pleasant year-round. Bangalore has a moderate climate throughout.

Helpline & emergency contacts

Tourist Helpline: 1364 (toll-free, 24×7). Police: 112 (all-India emergency). Ambulance: 108. Women’s Helpline: 1091. Karnataka Police Tourist Helpline: 112.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road — check locally for the closest option.

Best time to visit Mangalore

October to March is the best time to explore historical sites in Karnataka — pleasant weather for walking and exploring. Early morning (6:00-9:00 AM) or late afternoon (3:00-5:30 PM) offers the best light for photography and comfortable temperatures.

How to reach Mangalore

Mangalore is accessible by road from the nearest town or city. KSRTC buses connect to nearby towns. From the nearest bus stop or railway station, auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for the final leg. The site is typically well-signposted.

Timings & opening hours

Typically 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected sites have specific hours — usually sunrise to sunset. Some monuments may close earlier.

Entry fee & tickets

Entry fee: ₹10-₹30 for Indian nationals, ₹100-₹500 for foreign nationals (varies by monument significance). Camera fee: ₹25-₹50 for still cameras. Video camera: ₹100-₹200. ASI monument passes and composite tickets may be available.

Duration needed

1-2 hours for a basic visit. History enthusiasts and photographers may want to spend 3-4 hours exploring the site in detail.

Safety tips

Do not climb on fragile structures or enter cordoned-off areas. Some monuments have uneven floors and staircases — watch your step. Carry water as some sites have limited facilities. Beware of monkeys at some locations — do not carry open food. Keep valuables secure.

Things to carry

Camera for photographs, water bottles, hat/cap, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, guidebook or audio guide (if available), and small change for entry fees.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest railway station depends on the site’s location. Nearest airport varies. The site is typically well connected by road from the nearest town.

History of Mangalore

Mangalore is a significant historical site in Karnataka, bearing witness to the region’s rich and varied history. Karnataka has been ruled by numerous dynasties including the Kadambas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Empire, and the Wodeyars of Mysore, each leaving behind remarkable architectural and cultural heritage. This site reflects the artistic and architectural traditions of its period.

Things to do at Mangalore

Explore the historical structures and ruins, admire the architectural details, photograph the monuments, learn about the site’s history through interpretive signage or guides, and appreciate the craftsmanship of ancient builders.

Frequently asked questions

Is the site protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)? Many major historical sites in Karnataka are ASI-protected monuments with designated entry fees and visiting hours.

Are there guides available? Licensed guides are available at major historical sites and offer valuable insights into the history and architecture.

What is the best time to avoid crowds? Early morning opening time (typically 6:00 AM) is the least crowded. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays.