DESTINATION--MANGALORE

If you are looking for the best of Goa and the best of Kerala clubbed into one, then Mangalore is the destination you should be wheeling your feet to.
It is the biggest sea-port and the second largest city in Karnataka,and a centre for the export of coffee and cashew-nuts(you can pick your years quota at very reasonable rates.}
Mangalore has a languid tropical atmosphere and a significant Catholic community dating back to the arrival of the Portuguese which can be witnessed in some of the huge Churches here,stretches of silver-sand beaches which gives it a Goan touch wherever you go.
On the other hand, the fertile stretches of paddy fields,circumferenced with coconut trees and houses with red-tiled sloping roofs,cooking the luscious Malabar cuisine in coconut and cashew gravy, gives the place a typical Kerala flavour.
Though the city is growing as a major commercial hub,it has still retained it’s old world charm.
The language spoken by the majority here,is a dialect called Tulu but the official language like the rest of the State is Kannada.English, Hindi, Konkani and Malayalam are the other languages spoken.
Best seasons to visit is between Oct-March.Summers are sultry and during monsoons it pours endlessly.

Places of Interest within Mangalore.
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1)Sultan’s Battery:-A stone watch tower near the Old Port, built by Hyder Ali when Mangalore was the major centre for trading during his reign.

2}Kadri Manjunath Temple:-Built in Kerala style,over a small hillock,surrounded by lush forests is very beautiful.The Lokeshwara Statue here is one of the biggest and the best bronze in India.

3)Govt.Museum or Bejai Museum:-Very close to the Kadri Temple and hardly a km from the K.S.R.T.C.bus stop has some very rare relics of the past preserved in here.

4)St.Aloysius College Chapel:-the painted ceiling is worth a look.

5)Milagres Church and Rosario Cathedral:-Huge structures similar to the ones in Goa.

6)Mangala devi temple:-Located near the back-waters formed by the convergence of the rivers Nethravathy and Gurupur.She is the Goddess of fortune and the city derives it’s name from her.

Places around Mangalore(in the 50km range)
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1)Someshwara:-situated around kms, sports one of the best silver sand beaches.

2)Ullal BeachL13km):-Calm and pristine environment with a Beach Resort(Summer Sands) where you can comfortably spend a day or two in peace.

3)Udupi;-(58 kms):-A piligrimage town with the famous Sri-Krishna temple built by the 13th century religious leader Madhavacharya.

4)Manipal:- The abode of some of the best educational institutions in our Country situated over a scenic hillock, 3kms from Udupi Central.
5)Malpe:-This beach is 6kms from Udupi and 66kms from Mangalore and is a popular picnic spot.The endless stretch of golden sand,swaying palm trees,is breath-taking.Just a boat ride away is the St.Mary’s Island which is another delightful holiday destination.

)Moodabidri(35kms):-An abode of Jain Bastis.The oldest of them is the 15th century Chandranatha temple which has a 1000-pillar hall.

5)Kaup:-The famous Light House stands over a beautiful stretch of unspoilt beach covered on one end by black rocks that jut out majestically from the Arabian Sea .Many a romantic numbers in Indian Movies have been shot on this beach.

6)KarkalaL55km);-The statue of Gomateshwara(Bahubali)finished in 1432,stands on a small scenic hillock from where you can get some wonderful views of the Western Ghats.

Getting Around:-Mangalore is well connected by Rail, Bus and Air.There are regular flights to Mumbai and Chennai(via Bangalore).Konkan railway trains run efficiently between Mumbai and Mangalore via Goa.There are South bound and North bound trains too. Private buses ply to the rest of the State and the neighbouring states.Bangalore is just 357kms away.

Places to Stay:-Some very good hotels like Hotel Mangalore International, Taj Manjarun , Summer Sands Beach Resort(at Ullal) are some of the best places to stay.Also try out the wonderful beach resorts at Malpe.

Right now we have just covered the 50km range from Mangalore but there are many more exquisite get-aways in the 100km range.But then that’ll be yet another journey with our Feet on Wheels.
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