Dakshina Kannada

Bordered on the west by the vast blue expanse of the Arabian Sea, this district, as its name ‘Dakshina’ which means South, suggests lies in the southern part of the sate. The area of this district is Mangalore as its headquarters. The language spoken here is ‘Tulu’ and the district is also known as the ‘Land of Tuluvas’. Mangalore, which drives its name from that of the Goddess Mangaladevi, is a beautiful port city with a number of interesting features.

Udupi, the city popular for more than one reason is sanctifies by the presence of the wonderful temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. There is also a tranquil mutt dedicated to ‘Sri Raghavendra’.

St. ALOYSIUS CHAPEL AND MUSEUM
Located right in the centre of the city is the campus of St.Aloysius College where the chapel is an architectural gem built in 1900. It has series of paintings of the artist Antony Moshaini of Italy that cover every inch of its walls and ceilings. Primarily frescoes painted upon lime washed walls depict the lives of saints ranging from St.Thomas to St.John D Britto.


St. MILAGRES CHRUCH
The church of lady of miracles, better known as Milagres was built by Bishop Thomas de Castro, a theatine priest of Salcette, Goa in the year 1680 A.D. The facade with statues, reminds one of St.Peter,s Basilica at Rome. The church contains the miraculous shrine of St.Antony of Pudua, the great wonder worker.

SULTHAN BATTHERY
About 6 Kms from Mangalore city in Bolur, lie the ruins of an important 18th century watch tower built by Tippu Sultan near the scenic Gurupura River. This was built as a blockade to prevent enemy battalions firm attacking by boat on the Gurupura River. This watch tower is fashioned like a fort with spaces marked out to mount cannons.

THOUSAND PILLAR BASADI
Important pilgrim centre known as the “Kashi of Jains” is located 35kms.north east of Mangalore on N.H.-13.18 jain Basadis of Moodbidri were built between 14TH And 16th century. The Guru Basadi and Tribuvana Tilaka Choodamani Basadi are the architectural delights. Tribuvana Tilaka Choodamani Basadi is well known as “Thousand Pillar Basadi”.

SHREEMANTHI BAI MEMORIAL MUSEUM
At Bejai circle, V.RMirajkar’s donation of a bungalow and rare collections that the doctor grouped together in several years are established into Shreemanthi Bai Memorial Govt. Museum. This museum houses the objects of art, archeology, ethnology and natural history.

St. MARY’S ISLANDS
58kms from Mangalore. A group of small islands lying a little to the north of the port of Malpe are called St.Mary’s Islands. Vascodagama landed on one of these islands, St.Mary’s Islands are known for their famous basalt rocks which have crystalised into colums and split into hexagonal mosaic.

SRI KUDUPU KSHETRA
Kudupu Village, near Mangalore city in Karnataka State has earned name and fame by its hoary past where at the deities Shri Ananthapadmanbha and Subrahmanye manifested themselves many years ago. This holy village temple is located only 10 kilometers from Mangalore on the way to Karkal. It is believed that Lords Darshan alone cures skin disease or will bless barren women with children and will help to get rid of all personal difficulties and will bring success in one’s efforts.

JAMALABAD FORT
Belthangady This beautiful fort is situated 66 kms. from Mangalore, in Belthangady taluk. The history says, Tippu sultan, the Tiger of Mysore had built this fort in memory of his mother Jamalabee. This rock fort is trekking paradise attracting large number of trekkers.

PILIKULA NISARAGASHAMA
Legend has it that there was a place in Dakshina Kannada where tigers used to play. It is at this mythical spot that Pilikula Nisargadhama is situated. Pilikula literally means ‘pond of tigers’ in Tulund is located at Mudushedde, just 12kms from Mangalore-Karkala Highway, Pilikula Nisargadhama is an integrated nature park that will offer delightful variety of attractions to the eco tourists and nature lovers, perhaps the most comprehensive facility of its kind in the country. The 350 acres park located in thick tropical forest, offers a panoramic view to the aesthetic eye. With the various wild life safaris promise the opportunity to observe the animals in their natural habitat, the botanical park will be a rare treat for those who love plants and flowers. For the aquarium enthusiast, the park will showcase a wide variety of marine and fresh water species. And for the casual visitors, there is plenty of recreation and amusement in store too, such as the cable car, musical fountain, the toy train, fast food eateries, boating, elephant rides, Manasa Water and Amusement Park, Science Museum, etc.

TAGORE PARK
In the hill near St.Aloysius College there stands an abandoned century old light house over-looking the harbour and commanding magnificent view of the sea. Earlier this light house used to guide the ships and fishermen to right direct.


Sayyed Mohammed Shareeful Madani Darga, Ullal
This Darga built in the memory of Saint Sayyad Madani is one of the main mosques in the region. It has got over 400 years of history and thousands of people from various sects visit the mosque to participate in the “Uroos Festival”. During the month long festival, religious discourses by renowned scholars are held within the precincts of Juma Masjid & Darga, which is celebrated once in every five years.

TANNIRBAVI BEACH
This is one of the best beaches of Dakshina Kannada. One can enjoy the sunset view here. It is about 12 Kms. away from Mangalore city.

KARINJESHWARA TEMPLE BANTWAL
32km. away from Mangalore City in Bantwal Taluk is this temple dedicated to lord Shiva & Parvathi. The temple stands high on the hill admist the beautiful surroundings. The view of the lake below the hill will certainly cool one’s eyes. Every year in the month of February-March, Shivarathi, the festival of lord Shiva is celebrated here with festivity, which attracts large masses of people.

KUMARA HILLS SULLIA
Kumara Hills is one of the highest hills in the Western Ghats and the river ‘Dhara’ originates here and gets its name’ Kumaradhara’. A beautiful hill best known for trekking is always chosen by local youngsters and students of the surrounding districts. Its height is 4000 feet from the sea level and lush green trees and animals. The best time to visit is February to May. It comprises three mountains-Bhatta Rashi, siddha and shesha.Guides are available on the spot to guide through the adventure.

SOWTHADKA
On the NH 48 from Uppinangady towards Bangalore, first left turn after Nellyadi, on Dharmasthala Road just 3 kms away from Kokkada is situated famous pilgrim place called “Sowthadka”. Cowherds in and around this are were growing cucumber and during their worship started offering the same to Lord Mahaganapathi of this Kshetra. In Kannada “sowthe” means cucumber an “adka” means meadow hence, the name “Sowthadka”. By temple traditional norms, no temple structures have been allowed. This kshetra is nestled in tranquil natural surroundings and open round the clock for offering prayers, with simple worshipping opportunity to the public.

Mangalore
The present headquarters of the district Dakshina Kannada, Mangalore known as Mangalapura had in the past been the long-time capital of the kings known as Alupas. This port city situated at the confluence of the beautiful rivers Netravati and Gurupur was also the headquarters of Canara under the British in the 18th century. The first ever newspaper in Kannada, the language of the state was brought out here in the year 1843.

Mangalore is one of the several places in India where religious harmony is overt with a number of ancient temples, churches and mosques. It has been an important centre of the Indian Catholics since long. The university and college founded here in 1868-69 was the first one to come up in the whole of Karnataka.

Mangaladevi Temple
This beautiful temple is situated about 3 km from Mangalore. The presiding deity of this temple is Goddess Mangaladevi to whom; the city owes the origin of its name. This temple was built in the 10th century.

Karkala
It is situated about 50 km from Mangalore. This place, which is a sacred worship centre of the Jains, was the seat of the Bhairasas or Shantarsas, the royal Jain dynasty. There are two huge statues of ‘Sri Gomateswara’, one built in 1432 measuring 13 m in height and the other built in 1604 to a height of 11 m. The other important monuments here include temples and bastis and St. Lawrence church. The Ananthasayana Temple and Venkataramana Temple both dedicated to Lord Vishnu also attract a large number of devotees.

About 29 km from Karkala is the Sivarakambada Basti which is the biggest Jain Shrine in Karnataka, situated at the place called Mudabidri. The unique feature of this shrine is that it has metallic images. There are about 18 Bastis in Mudabidri.

Udupi:
The legend has it that ‘Kanakadasa’ was turned away when he sought to enter the temple since he belonged to lower caste. Pained at this and driven by ardent devotion he peeped through a hole to have the Darshan of the Lord. And the ever so merciful Lord turned from east to west in order to fulfill the desire of His devotee. Then Kanakadesa became famous. He was one of the great composers during the Bakthi Movement. The hole through which Kanakadasa had the amazing Darshan can be seen even today. It is now known as ‘Kanakakindi’, named after him. There are also other famous temples in Udupi (viz) Ambalapadi Shakti Temple, Kadiyali Durga Temple, Venkateswaea Temple and the Holy Nutt of Sri Raghavendra, a prominent saint in the hierarchical order of Sri Madhavacahrya.

The ‘Malpe’ port near Manipal offers a fine beach resort. The Vadabhandeswara Temple dedicated to Lord Balarama is very famous. Manipal is also noted as an important centre of education.

Agumbe
About 50 km from Udupi this is the ideal spot for sunset watchers. The best season here to have a glorious view of the red sun disappearing in the west is between November and December.

Dharmasthala
About 75 km from Mangalore, the beautiful sacred island formed by the resplendent river Netravathi is famous for the ancient Manjunatha Temple and the Modern Sri Gomateswara Statue. This statue is build in 1973 out of single stone with a height of 14 m. ‘Annadhana’ or ‘free meals’ is one of the salient features here.

Kollur
About 147 km from Mangalore, nestled in vast verdant woods, Kollur is famous for its temple dedicated to Goddess Mookambika, the Goddess of arts and learing.This region is characterized by high green clad mountains and the ravishing rivulet Sowparnika. This beautiful temple is situated on the scenic hill called Kodachadri. Thousands of devotes come here and worship the Goddess.