March 29, 2024

15 Tourist Attractions in Dakshina Kannada Mangaluru

Mangaluru

Top Tourist Attractions in Dakshina Kannada Mangaluru

Dakshina Kannada is a district in Karnataka, India, having its seat in Mangalore, a port city. The district is between the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west, with the Western Ghats to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. During the Indian monsoon, Dakshina Kannada receives a lot of rain.

Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada’s district headquarters, is well connected by a decent road network. NH-66 (formerly known as NH-17) runs all the way down the coast of Dakshina Kannada District (Mangaluru), linking Goa and Mumbai to the north and Kochin (Kerala) to the south (south). Mangaluru is connected to Bengaluru, the state capital, by NH-48.

Best Places to Visit in Dakshina Kannada Mangaluru

  1. Mangaladevi Temple
  2. Kadri Temple
  3. Kudroli Temple
  4. Dharmasthala Temple
  5. Kukke Temple
  6. Kateel Temple
  7. Sowthadka Temple
  8. Bappanadu Temple
  9. Polali Temple
  10. Puttur Temple
  11. Kudupu Temple
  12. Karinja Temple
  13. Narahari Temple
  14. Dharmasthala
  15. Kukke Subrahmanya

Mangaladevi Temple

Mangaluru is named after the old Mangala Devi temple, which dates back to the 10th century. Only 2 kilometres from the city centre.

Kadri Manjunatha Temple

Kadri Hill is known for the 11th century Kadri Manjunatha Temple, as well as the adjacent ponds with natural springs and laterite caverns known as the Pandava Caves. The bronze statues of Lokeshawara and Guatama Buddha in Dhyani pose attest to the temple’s Buddhist heritage. In December, the Kadri Kambala (Buffalo race) is held here. Only 2 kilometres from the city centre.

Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara Temple

Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara Temple is located within 2 kilometres from the city centre and was erected by Shri Narayana Guru, a prominent philosopher, saint, and social reformer from Kerala. The temple is constructed in the Chola Gopuram style. Shiva is the temple’s major deity. The two major festivals observed at this temple are Navarathri and Shivarathri. Mangaluru Dasara refers to the ceremonies at the temple during Dasara.

Dharmasthala Temple

This well-known pilgrimage place, located 75 kilometres east of Mangaluru and nestled in sylvan environs on the lower slopes of the Western Ghats, is an unusual fusion of faiths. The Manjunatha Temple is a famous Shaivaite centre with Madhwa Vaishnavaite priests and is run by the Heggades, a hereditary Jain family. The Jain influence may be observed in the 39-foot-tall statue of Bahubali, which was constructed on a hill near the temple in 1980. The Manjusha Museum, located directly across from the temple, exhibits a diverse collection of items, including ancient inscriptions on palm leaves, silver jewellery, and religious statues. Charity is a part of life here, and pilgrims who visit the temple are offered free food. One million lamps are burned during the yearly festival, Laksha Deepotsava, which takes place in November-December, when literary and religious discussions are conducted.

Kukke Subrahmanya Temple 

This pilgrim town, 104 kilometres from Mangaluru, is famed for the temple of Kukke Sri Subrahmanya, which is nestled between hills. The epics describe how the celestial serpent Vasuki and other snakes sought sanctuary in the caverns beneath God Subrahmanya. God Subrahmanya is worshipped here as a serpent, which represents the god’s divine strength. During the devotion, a ritual dance known as Nagamandala is performed, in which the dancer assumes the costume of Ardhanarishwara (half man, half woman), symbolising the notion of feminine (prakruthi) and masculine (purusha) powers being one.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari  

The Durga Parameshwari Temple is located on an island on the Nandini River, 20 kilometres east of Mangaluru. The primary deity takes the shape of an udhbhava moorthi (naturally formed). The temple’s pillars are adorned with exquisite sculptures.

Southadka Sri Ganapathy Temple 

Southadka is a pilgrimage site located 3 kilometres from Kokkada in the Dakshina Kannda district’s Belthangadi Taluk. Lord Maha Ganapathi is remarkable in that he is located in an open field without a ‘Garbha gudi’ or temple construction. It is surrounded by beautiful greenery and is open 24 hours a day for prayer.

Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple, Bappanadu, Mulki Bappanadu Temple

Located on NH 17 29 kilometres north of Mangaluru and 29 kilometres south of Udupi. Located on the south bank of the Shambhavi River. Goddess Shree Durgaparameshwari is the primary goddess of this temple. The Bappanadu Dolu (musical drum) is well-known, and the banging of the drums during the temple’s yearly festival is a key aspect of the celebration.

Sri Rajarajeswari Temple, Polali, Bantval Taluk 

The temple is located on the banks of the river Phalguni in Kariyangala village in Bantwal taluk, 20 kilometres from Bantval city, 20 kilometres from Mangaluru city, and 10 kilometres from Mangaluru Airport (Bajpe Airport). The annual ‘Polali Chendu’ festival is a significant celebratory occasion in which football is played to symbolise the triumph of virtue over evil. The yearly event, held in March-April, lasts a month and attracts visitors from all over the world.

Sri Mahalingeswara Temple, Puttur Temple

Located in Puttur’s main city, near the police station. It is one of Dakshina Kannda’s most well-known temples.

Sri Karinjeshwara Temple, Karinje, Bantval Taluk Karinja Temple

Karinja is located in the Bantval taluk’s Kavalamudur village. Mangaluru is 38 kilometres distant, while Bantval is 14 kilometres away. On the Mangaluru-Belthangady route, a location called VAGGA (about 2 kilometres away) could be accessed. The Shiva-Parvati temple of Karinjeshwara lies high on a hill in lovely surroundings.

Anantha Padmanabha Temple, Kudupu Kudupu Temple

Located on the Mangaluru-Karkala highway, 10 kilometres from Mangaluru city. This temple is known for snake worship and is dedicated to Lord Anantha Padmanabha (Lord Vishnu). The annual festival ‘Shashti’ is a well-known religious ritual, and ‘Nagarapanchami’ is held here with tremendous zeal.

Narahari Parvatha Sadashiva Temple, Bantval talukNarahari Temple

The property is located 28 kilometres from Mangaluru. Bantval Taluk’s Pane-Mangaluru city is nearby. This is one of the oldest temples and is placed on the hill’s crest. Lord Shiva is honoured at this temple. To go to this temple, one must first climb a hill. On top of the hill, there are ponds where worshippers can take a holy plunge.

Dharmasthala

This well-known pilgrimage place, located 75 kilometres east of Mangaluru and nestled in sylvan environs on the lower slopes of the Western Ghats, is an unusual fusion of faiths. The Manjunatha Temple is a famous Shaivaite centre with Madhwa Vaishnavaite priests and is run by the Heggades, a hereditary Jain family. The Jain influence may be observed in the 39-foot-tall statue of Bahubali, which was constructed on a hill near the temple in 1980. The Manjusha Museum, located directly across from the temple, exhibits a diverse collection of items, including ancient inscriptions on palm leaves, silver jewellery, and religious statues. Charity is a part of life here, and pilgrims who visit the temple are offered free food. One million lamps are burned during the yearly festival, Laksha Deepotsava, which takes place in November-December, when literary and religious discussions are conducted.

Kukke Subrahmanya

This pilgrim town, 104 kilometres from Mangaluru, is famed for the temple of Kukke Sri Subrahmanya, which is nestled between hills. The epics describe how the celestial serpent Vasuki and other snakes sought sanctuary in the caverns beneath God Subrahmanya. God Subrahmanya is worshipped here as a serpent, which represents the god’s divine strength. This location is well-known for serpent rituals and is dedicated to serpent rites such as ‘Sarpa Samskara.’

 Best Time to Visit in Dakshina Kannada

The winter months of October to March are ideal for visiting Dakshina Kannada.

How to Reach Dakshina Kannada Mangaluru

By Train

Railways connect Mangaluru to the rest of the country. The Konkan Railway route runs through the district of Mangaluru, connecting India’s major towns. Mangaluru City Railway Station (Mangaluru Central-in the centre of the city) and Kankanady Railway Station (Mangaluru Junction- 5 km from the centre of the city) are the two major railway stations.

By Air

Mangaluru Airport, located near Bajpe, is an international airport that is only 18 kilometres from the city centre. Mangaluru has many daily flights connecting it to major Indian cities as well as several major Middle Eastern cities.