Places to see around Mangalore

Some of the popular tourist spots around Mangalore include:

Moodabidri

Moodabidri is a Jain Pilgrimage Centre called "Jain Kashi". Pilgrims from different places and countries come here to worship the Thirthankara in different basadis. 5 centuries ago a Basadi called "Saavira Sthamba Basadi" was built here. It still appears very magnificent. Read more about in the Moodabidri Tour Guide

Kaup Lighthouse

Kaup is also locally known as Kapu and is a place where well-known lighthouse is situated at about 11 km south of Udupi on the national highway

Varanga

Located nearby, is an important Jain pilgrim Center 16 kms from Karkala.

Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple

Kateel is located about 5 kilometers from the Bajpe Bus stand. As such going to Bajpe, using the Kavoor- Marakada Route is the most convenient as the road is well maintained since it is also the access route to the Mangalore Airport.

Further the winding roads amidst green hills and valleys make it a very pleasant and memorable experience. Once in Bajpe town, take the straight road leading north to go to Kateel.

The presiding deity of Kateel is Sri Durga Parameshwari. Kateel is located on a sort island wherein the main temple is surrounded by streams flowing around it.

Jamalabad

This place is 40 kms to the east. The fort here was built by Tipu Sultan and named after his mother Jamalbee.

Mulki Temples

Shri Venkataramana Temple is situated towards north of Mangalore on the N.H 17 highway road, at a distance of 28 kms, on the riverbank of Shambavi. The temple belongs to 1277 A.D. In the temple the images of Venkataramana, Bindu Madhava, Vittala and Ugra Narasimha are worshipped.

The history of the place indicates that Shri Vijayendra Yathi of Kashi Mutt (of Udupi fame) installed the image of Ugra Narasimha belonging to Vijayanagar here in 1565.

Mulki was earlier known as Mulikapur. In course of time Mulikapur changed to Mulki. Samantha kings once ruled this place. Now one can see the palace and the old ruins of the fort of Samantha Kings.

The Bappanadu Durga Parameshwari Temple and twin temple of Somanath and Narayana are the other shrines of the Mulki. A buffalo race called "Arasu Kambala" also annually held here.

Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala

On the bank of the River Nethravathi at about 74 km from Mangalore and at a distance of 3 km from the bank, the Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala is situated. With green vegetation and the hills environment with the river flow creates a calm serenity to the visitors.

It is a Hindu pilgrimage centre where the charity is the most predominant part of offerings. The presiding deity of this temple is the Shaivite god Sri Manjunatha. The priests who perform the ritual rights belong to the sect of Madhava Vaishnava. A Jain family called the Dharmasthala Heggade manages the place.

Food is served free to all the visitors. The management also extends the lodging facility in cottages and dormitories to the visitors as service at a very reasonable price

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade is the present Dharmadhikari. The name Dharmasthala (which means ‘The Righteous Place’) was given by a Yathi Shri Vadiraja Swami of Udupi Sodemutt. A Temple Museum, Car Museum, Lalithodyana, an Aquarium, Park, Yakshagana dance training center are the main attractions here.

Kukke Subramanya

A famous temple situated inside a dense forest bordering the Western Ghats, called by the name Kukke Subramanya. The original name was Kukke. The temple cart is nearly 150 years old.

On the bank of river Kumaradhara a small shrine of Subramanya called "Mooladevaru" is also situated. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage to the Hindus.

Other Places around Mangalore

Udupi - The famous temple town dedicated to Lord Krishna

Hassan - Historical town known for its Hoysala Architecture and other monuments buit during the Chalukya period.

Sravanabelagola - Site of a 1000 year old, 50 feet statue of Lord Bahubali (Jainism)

Karnataka