Mangalore

Mangalore

State : Karnataka
Distance : 347 km W of Bangalore
Journey : by road 7 ½ hrs by rail 1 hrs
Location : Mangalore is at the southern tip of Karnataka’s Karavali Coast, 49 km north of Kasargode in Kerala
Route : NH48 to Mangalore via Kunigal Yeduyur, Hasan, Sakaleshpur and Mani

As befitting a port city, the first thing that strikes you about Mangalore is the veritable babble, of language you hear all around you. Tulu ( the local lingua franca ) Konkani, Kannada, English, even the odd snatches of Malayalam, all commingle in the salty air to give Mangalore its distinct sense of otherness. Wedged between the Arabian Sea and the verdant western ghats, this is one city in Karnataka that is more ‘ Catholic’ than any others. Its twin district, Udupi the other half of the erstwhile South Canara region – is the seat of the Dvaita branch of Hinduism, while Moodabidri on the right hosts a rich tradition of Jainism. But there are no prizes for guessing that it is the Jesuit priests in the 17th century who fashioned the ethos that still rules this quirky city on the Karavali coast. Their influence is still easily witnessed – on the name boards on gates that front sprawling tiled-roof bungalows on the city’s hillsides; in the profusion of venerable steepled church that dot the cityscape; and in the plethora of commercial establishment that answer to the name of M/s Albuquerque, Rodrigues, D’ Costa, Pais et al

It was hear that tiles made from the uniquely resilient clay resulting from the meeting of the Netravathi River and the Gurpura River with the Arabain Sea were first made in pre-independent. India by Alex Pai Alburquerque. The urban sprawl begins almost exactly at the point where NH48 links up with coastal Highway NH17 at Mangalore’s southern tip. If you are doing the scenic thing and driving down to the coast, the swinging coconut palms and the towering arecanut trees that frame lush green paddy fields are the first indication that the topography is about to change. That is. If you haven’t already begun to feel the trickle of sweat down your spine. It is at this point that visitors to Mangalore best lend themselves to same superficial labeling. For the pious no amount of perspiration will deter their resolve to pay homage at the multitudinous places of worship that this district offers. For those with more earthly impulses the thought of the lip-smacking kanefry, or the pleasures of dunking tired bodies in the water off the Ullal Beach, are inducement enough.

Things to see and do

Mangalore, it is said, draws its name from the goddess Mangaladevi in whose name a temple was built here in the ninth century by king kundavarma. Religion dominates society and economy in this primarily agrarian district. Exquisite temples like the Manjunatha, Mangaladevi and Sharavu Ganapathi are a part of the religious circuit in the city. As is the magnificent St Aloysius College Chapel, with frescoes and oil paintings that Mangaloreans are happy to clime as rivalling those in the Sistine Chaple. These more secular pursuits in mind however need not despair long strethes of pristine beaches a spanking new golf courser and a variety of water sports are all available within 20 km from Mangalore.

St Aloysius College Chapel

Located right in the center of the city, on the campus of St Aloysius College on light house hill road,, this chapel is an architectural
gem. Built in 1900, it has a series of paintings that caver every inch of its rope and walls. Primarily frescoes painted upon lime-washed walls, the scenes depict the lives of saints ranging from St Thomas to St John De Britto. A labour of love by the Italian artist, brother Antonio Moscheni these paintings also include oils on canvas that were extensively restored by intach.

Timings : 8 -30 am to 1 pm, 2 pm 2 pm…


Where to stay and eat

The Taj Manjarun Hotel

Ph : 0824 – 2420420
Tariff : Rs 1200-3995

Hotel Mongalore International
Ph : 2444860 / 64
Tariff : Rs 530-1390

Hotel Manorama
Ph : 2440306
Tariff : Rs 275 – 725

Hotel Moti
Ph : 2441411 / 2
Tariff : Rs : 950 – 1800.