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General Information

History.

Mangalore has thousands of years of it - enough to fill volumes. But don't let the city's prodigious history get in your way of enjoying the place.

Despite this depth and complexity of history, Mangalore is pretty much below most travelers' radar, being mostly a way station along India's west coast. The Portuguese knew enough about it, though, to occupy it two hundred years before the British relieved them of the city. Although it's a fairly busy town commercially, you get a curiously rural impression of the place when you arrive, due to the coconut plantations that thickly speckle the landscape. It's active as a manufacturing center as well, producing (among other things) ceramic tiles and coir (coconut fiber). In fact, the tile and coir factories should be on your list of sights to see.

The Sultan's Battery, about four miles out of town by bus, is well worth the trip. Built to prevent invasions of the city by way of the Gurpur River, the Sultan's Battery appears as a miniature, black stone fortress, overlooking the riverbank. There's a mellow atmosphere there, belying the fortress's warlike function

In the city center, the Catholic Christian community is served by the St. Aloysius College Chapel (dedicated to Aloysius Gonzaga), which you might call the poor man's Sistine Chapel, as the ceiling and walls are totally covered with the paintings of an Italian priest, one Brother Antonio Moscheni.

If you've had your fill of temple history, the Lighthouse Hill Garden, a popular hangout with the locals, should be your next destination. The garden provides an unobstructed view out over the Arabia Sea. It's busiest at sunset, for obvious reasons

If you'd rather not trouble yourself with anything more stressful than hanging out at the beach, Mangalore can oblige you. Ullal beach, about six miles from the city, features bright white sand with a forested background. It's very clean, but be careful of the undertow. Taneerbhavi and Panambur beaches are available alternates. If you can't stay away from the links, then link up with Pilkula Park. It should satisfy your golf cravings, at least as far as nine holes will help. Adjacent to the course is a wildlife sanctuary, so if you're traveling with someone who doesn't share your compulsion, they'll have something to do.

Throughout your visit, keep your eyes open for shopping opportunities. Be especially on the lookout for handicrafts, idols, jewelry, and local tiles (the decorative, not the roofing).

The food in Mangalore reflects that of the coastal area of the region. The ingredients may be simple, but the tastes are complex. And hot. (Be sure to order to your tolerance.) Besides the spice, fish, rice, and coconut figure heavily into regional cooking. A terrific spot for cheap eats is north of the Hampankatta city center, along KS Rao Road

So step off your ship and count yourself in on the history, spirituality, and tastes of this (for now) seldom visited city

 

 

Karwar Beach

General Information

POPULATION

About 500,000 inhabitants

PORT

Because of sandbars, large ships must anchor three miles out and tender passengers ashore.

CLIMATE

Tropical and hot. In summer, Mangalore can be especially muggy. Accordingly, most cruise lines schedule their stops during the cooler fall, winter, and spring.

LANGUAGE

Kannada, a language of the Dravidian family, spoken in southwestern India

CURRENCY

The Indian rupee.