About Mangaluru
A port on the Arabian seacoast, Mangalore has been an important shipbuilding base from the time the Mysore Sultans ruled it. Famous for its coffee, cashew nuts and sandalwood, Mangalore is also an important producer of roofing tiles in India. One of the fastest developing cities in India, Mangaluru is quickly developing as an industrial, commercial, healthcare, educational, and startup hub. The landscape of the city is dotted with coconut plantations, rolling hills, and rivers. Home to diverse communities, it is a favourite spot for tourists to visit and explore.
Places to visit in Mangaluru
- Mangaladevi Temple : Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Shakti, the Mangaladevi Temple is built in the Kerala style of architecture and most of its structure is made of wood. The central shrine features the goddess Mangaladevi in a seated posture with shrines of other deities scattered around the sanctum. Navratri is a major time of celebration at the festival with devotees from all over the country visiting the temple during this time.
- Panambur Beach: One of the safest and most well-maintained beaches in India, Panambur Beach is probably the most popular beach in Mangaluru. Witnessing a massive footfall due to the dramatic views of the sunset it offers, the beach also hosts several fun festivities that include boat races, sand sculpture contests, and beach sports activities. Also offering jet ski rides, dolphin viewing, horse and camel rides, night camping, etc. the beach is a prime tourist hotspot.
- St. Aloysius Chapel : Situated on Lighthouse Hill, St. Aloysius Chapel is nothing less than a work of art with beautiful paintings adorning all its walls, which is an unusual sight to behold at churches. Featuring signages and paintings depicting different aspects of the bible, the church is a favourite of all art lovers and does not just serve as a palace of worship.
- Sultan Battery : The Sultan Battery is a watchtower made of black stones and was constructed with the intention of blocking warships from entering the river, a major route for British invaders. Constructed by Tipu Sultan, it also served the purpose of a fort by allowing canons to be mounted to dissuade invaders from entering through the sea. The watch tower offers a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and is a must-visit for people who enjoy a flavour of history in natural landscapes.
- Kadri Manjunath Temple : This is a historic temple housing a 5-feet high bronze idol of Lord Brahma which is regarded as the oldest South Indian temple. A topic of Buddhist and Hindu folklore, the front of the temple is home to a number of ponds with a garden surrounding them. As the garden and the ponds are situated at a height, a walk toward the temple makes the temple resemble a light pole. A prime location for pilgrims and devotees, the temple hosts an annual celebration in the month of January.
Mangaluru Airport
Mangalore International Airport (IXE) also known as Mangaluru International Airport is one of the two international airports that the Indian state of Karnataka has. This airport serves Mangaluru and is situated at a distance of about 13 km from the city centre. Situated on top of a hill, the airport is distinguished by its tabletop runways. Providing passenger facilities like currency exchange, waiting lounges, cafes, restaurants and coffee shops, the airport is well connected by both public and private modes of transport.