Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bound by the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, Mangalore is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada (formerly South Canara) district in southwestern Karnataka.

Mangalore derives its name from the local Hindu deity Mangaladevi. It developed as a port on the Arabian Sea – remaining, to this day, a major port of India. Lying on the backwaters of the Netravati and Gurupura rivers, Mangalore is often used as a staging point for sea traffic along the Malabar Coast. The city has a tropical climate and lies on the path of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West monsoons. Mangalore's port handles 75% of India's coffee exports and the bulk of the nation's cashew exports.

Mangalore was ruled by several major powers, including the Kadambas, Vijayanagar dynasty, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, and the Portuguese. The city was a source of contention between the British and the Mysore rulers, Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. Eventually annexed by the British in 1799, Mangalore remained part of the Madras Presidency until India's independence in 1947. The city was unified with the state of Mysore (now called Karnataka) in 1956.

Mangalore is demographically diverse with several languages, including Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, and Beary commonly spoken and understood. The city's landscape is characterized by rolling hills, coconut palms, freshwater streams, and hard red-clay tiled-roof buildings.

Etymology

Mangalore was named after the local Hindu deity Mangaladevi, the presiding deity of the Mangaladevi temple.According to local legend, Matsyendranath, the founder of the Nath tradition, arrived in the area with a princess from Kerala named Parimala or Premaladevi. Having converted Premaladevi to the Nath sect, Matsyendranath renamed her Mangaladevi. After her death, the Mangaladevi temple was consecrated in her honour at Bolar in Mangalore. The city got its name from the Mangaladevi temple.

One of the earliest references to the city's name was made in 715 CE by the Pandyan King Chettian, who called the city Managalapuram. The 11th-century Arabian traveler Ibn Battuta referred to Mangalore as Manjarur in his chronicles.In Kannada, the city is called Mangalūru, a reference to Mangaladevi (the suffix ūru means town or city in Kannada). During the British occupation in 1799, Mangalore (anglicized from Mangalūru), stuck as the official appellation.

Mangalore's diverse communities have different names for the city in their languages. In Tulu, the primary spoken language, the city is called Kudla meaning junction, since the city is situated at the confluence of the Netravati and Phalguni rivers. In Konkani, Mangalore is referred to as Kodial. The Beary name for the city is Maikala, meaning wood charcoal, an attribution to the early practice of producing charcoal from wood on the banks of the Netravati river. On the occasion of Suvarna Karnataka (Golden Karnataka) in 2006, the Government of Karnataka stated that the city would be renamed Mangalooru, though this change in name is not implemented.

Culture

Many classical dance forms and folk art are practised in the city. The Yakshagana, a night-long dance and drama performance, is held in Mangalore, while Hulivesha (literally, tiger dance), a folk dance unique to the city, is performed during Dasara and Krishna Janmashtami. Karadi Vesha (bear dance) is another well known dance performed during Dasara. Paddanas (Ballad-like epics passed on through generations by word of mouth) are sung by a community of impersonators in Tulu and are usually accompanied by the rhythmic drum beats. The Bearys' unique traditions are reflected in such folk songs as kolkai (sung during kolata, a valour folk-dance during which sticks used as props), unjal pat (traditional lullaby), moilanji pat, and oppune pat (sung at weddings). The Eucharistic procession is an annual Catholic religious procession led on the first Sunday of each New Year. The Srimanthi Bai Museum, in Bejai, is the only museum of Mangalore.

Transport

Mangalore's location makes it accessible via all forms of transport. Transport systems in Mangalore include private buses, KSRTC buses, trains, taxis and autorickshaws.

Mangalore International Airport (IATA: IXE) is near Bajpe, and is located about 21 kilometres (13 mi) north-east of the city centre. It is the second airport in Karnataka to operate flights to international destinations.

Tourist Places:

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

Mangaladevi Temple: This city is called as Mangalore just because of this temple. It is situated 3 Km. away from main City Bus stand. This temple was built by the Ballal family of Attavar in memory of a Princess of Kerala.

To get there take the City Bus No. 27, 27A, 29A.

Kadri Manjunath Temple: 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 thefoot 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 Bupendra 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

It is situated 4 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus Stand. The idol of Lord Manjunathaswamy of the temple is called as oldest of the South Indian Temples. The seven sacred ponds, Jogi Mutt and caves of Pandavas are the pilgrim attractions here.

To get there take the City Bus No. 3, 3A, 4, 4C, 6A, 6B, 6C, 14, 14A, 14B, 21, 22, 30A, 30B, 48

Sultan Battery : It is situated in Boloor 6 Km. away from Mangalore City Bus Stand. It was built in Black Stones by Tippu Sulthan to prevent warships to enter Gurpur river. Now the remaining part of the fort is called as Tippu's Well. It is today a deserted spot but its construction is bafflingly exquisite. Although it is a watchtower, it gives the impression of a miniature fortress with its arrangements for mounting cannons all-round.
To get there take the City Bus No. 16, 16A.

St. Aloysius Church: It is situated 1 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus stand. 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 executed by Bro. Moscheni trained in Italy.

Light House Hill-Garden: It is situated 1 Km. away from Bus Stand. One can see the beautiful sea view, sunset view and also the sailing ships and boats on the sea. Now the renovated garden looks more beautiful.

Kudroli Gokarnath Temple: It is situated 3 Km. away from main Nehru Maidan Bus Stand. Recently this temple has been renovated and now it is one of the tourist attraction places in Mangalore.

To get there take the City Bus No. 7, 7A, 13, 13A, 16, 16A.

Seemanthi Bai Government Museum: It is situated in Bejai 4 Km. away from Nehru Maidan city Bus Stand. One can see the idols, materials of historical importance here.

To get there take the City Bus No. 19.

Kadri Park : It is situated 5 Km. away from main City Bus Stand. Snakes & Animals Zoo, Toy Train and the beautiful garden are the tourist attractions here.

To get there take the City Bus No. 19, 14.

Other Tourist Attractions:

1. Rosario Church
2. Milagres Church
3. Pilikula Nisarga Dhama

Photo Gallery:

Goddess Mangaladevi

Sharavu Mahaganapathi

Light House

Kadri Park

Panambur Beach


Netravathi Bridge

Photos: Chethan.K-Mangalore
Information Courtesy: Wikipedia