mangaluru

Mangaluru – previously known as Mangalore, is a port city on the coast of the Arabian Sea, and a major commercial hub in the South-Indian state of Karnataka.

Mangaluru has many attractions including historical and religious sites, beaches, and other ecological attractions such as:

• Tannirbhavi Beach (popular for sunset views)

Popular historical places are:

• Kadri Manjunath Temple – A Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, Shiva and Goddess Durga; also known for its bronze statues
• St. Aloysious Chapel - has beautiful interior paintings
• Mangaladevi – a 9th-century Hindu temple
• Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari temple
• Kudroli Gokarnath Temple - A large temple that has separate premises each for Lord Shiva, Sai Baba, Lord Krishna and Lord Hanuman
• Milagres Church – A 17th century establishment, catholic (religious) center

Mangaluru has some good museums and art galleries that showcase its history and people’s talents in a beautiful way:

• Chitralaya Art Gallery – has a display sculptures and paintings capturing everyday lives and culture of the local people through centuries
• Pilikula Nisargadhama – A science museum, with focus on Nature and Wildlife
• Pilikula regional science center
• Srimaanthi Bhai Memorial Government Museum – has a beautiful collection of archaeological and geological artefacts
• Aloyseum: The Aloyseus Museum - A Museum on the St Aloysius College campus in Mangaluru; includes an eclectic collection of archaeological animal fossils like mounted skeletons of wild animals (tigers, panthers, etc) and a lot more!

Mangaluru’s most celebrated festivals are:

• Naga Panchami (where snakes are worshipped and offered milk; a tribute to Snake deity/God)
• Maha Shivaratri (a festival dedicated to Lord Shiva)
• Christmas – most Christians and Hindus also celebrate this famous festival here
• Navrathri (a 10-day Hindu festival, where Goddess Durga is worshipped)
• Deepavali – The festival of Lights; India’s most popular and widely celebrated festival

Mangaluru has some good markets and shopping spots from where people can buy souvenirs that are popular here, such as – sweets (like Mangaluru Halwa), silk sarees, utensils, and so on. Some popular shopping spots in the city are:

• Central Market
• Old Charm Shopping Street
• Essel Centre

Mangaluru also has some good malls to explore, such as:

• City Center mall
• Empire mall
• Mischief Mega Mall
• Pio Mall

Mangalorean cuisine, has some very interesting dishes made with local produce and which are famous through centuries, and also loved in various other parts of south India. The authentic versions of these dishes can be tried at various restaurants throughout Mangaluru. Some of the popular Mangalorean dishes include:

• Neer Dosa (Translates to “Water dosa”) - a soft dosa/crepe made with a thin and runny rice batter, usually served with coconut chutney, coconut milk or chicken curry
• Mangaluru Buns – this is a (South) Indianized version of sweet donuts – made with ripe bananas, often served with coconut chutney or even along with a potato curry!
• Kori Ghassi - a creamy and spicy Mangalorean chicken curry which has a base flavour of coconut
 
• Kappa roti - a rice pancake made in a deep cast-iron pan with a thick and soft middle and crisp sides. Often served with Bangude Ghassi (a mackerel fish curry) – another local delicacy
• Mangaluru Halwa – a sweet pudding dish (has the consistency of a cookie dough) made with dry fruits, flour, sugar and lots of Ghee (clarified butter)

Some of the best restaurants and eateries in Mangaluru that you must try include the following:

• Gajalee (a very famous restaurant, resting on a hilltop)
• Giri Manja’s (known for sea food – especially fish dishes)
• Hotel Narayana (known for its delicious fish fry)
• Sizzler’s Ranch (Known for its specialty - sizzlers)
• Janatha Deluxe - a pure vegetarian restaurant; vegetarian’s paradise (North Indian & South Indian cuisines)

Mangaluru has many good hotels and resorts for a comfortable stay. Here are some of the most recommended ones:

• Grand Plaza Hotel
• Hotel Sai Palace Mangaluru
• The Ocean Pearl
• Goldfinch Mangaluru
• Rachana Palace
• Hotel Moti Mahal
• The Gateway Hotel, Mangaluru

Mangaluru STD Code – 0824 (to be used before dialling numbers from a number that is not locally registered).

Common emergency numbers:

• Police Control Room: 100
• Fire and Rescue: 101
• Medical helpline: 104
• Ambulance helpline: 108
• Child helpline: 1098
• Women helpline: 1091

Kannada is the most spoken language in Mangaluru. But, languages like English, Malayalam are spoken as well.

Kannada:

• Hello - namaskra
• How are you? - athava kshemana?
• Welcome - susvgata
• What's your name? - nimma hesarenu?
• My name is - nanna hesaru
• Good morning - shubhodaya

Malayalam:

• Welcome - Swagatam
• Hello - Namaskaram
• How are you? - Engnganuntu karyangngal?
• What's your name? - Ninte perentha?
• My name is - Ente per ... n
• Where are you from? - Angu evidennanu?