Officially known as Mangaluru, Mangalore is located in the west of the capital city Bangalore and is the chief port city of the Indian state Karnataka. Apart from the stunning beaches, and peaceful life, Mangalore is also famous for temples and the name of the city is itself named after the Hindu Goddess Mangla Devi. So, there are some famous temples you must visit to have some best spiritual experience here. Let’s Explore-
Kadri Manjunatha Temple
One of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, built in the 10th century and located in Kadri hills a temple has a bronze idol of Lord Shiva which is 4 feet tall and referred to as Padmasanastha LOkeshwara.Other shrines of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga is also here. With a stunning heritage, the temple is located on the hills of Kadri and looks very beautiful.
- Address: Kadri Temple Rd, Vasanth Vihar, Kadri, Mangalore, Karnataka 575002
- How To Reach: This temple can be reached by hiring a taxi or bus as it is well connected to the other cities and its just 4 km away from Mangalore city. The nearest airport is Mangalore airport and Bangalore airport which are only 60 km and 381 km respectively.
- Timings: 12 PM – 9 PM
- Best Time To Visit: January- April
- Top Attractions: Statues, Gomukha(A natural spring).
Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple
One of the most beautiful temples of Karnataka, and dedicated to Lord Gokaenanatheshwara who is the incarnation of Lord Shiva, the temple is built in the year 1912 and located at a distance of 3 km from Mangalore. Built-in the Chola Gopuram style of architecture, it is surrounded by several other small temples and is the must-visit religious sites of Mangalore. A large number of tourists and pilgrims visit this temple during the festival of Dussehra which is celebrated here with much enthusiasm.
- Address: Alake Rd, Kudroli, Kodailbail, Mangalore, Karnataka 575003
- How To Reach: This temple is just 5 km away from the Mangalore city whereas Mangalore railway station is just 3 km away. The nearest airport is Mangalore airport which is just 12 km away from the temple.
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Temple Website (If any): http://kudroligokarnanathakshetra.com/
- Best Time To Visit: In Dussehra festival
- Top Attractions: Religious Site, Architecture.
Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple
Located in the heart of the city, this temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha along with other shrines for the deities like Kadri, Sharavu, Kudroli, and Mangaladevi and is more than 800 years old. With the center for cultural activities, the temple gladly celebrated the festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi and Laksha Depotsava with lots of Dances and dramas. Other attractive features of the temple include the aarti of the Lord and a sacred cow’s idol made up of stone as well as the tank.
- Address: Sharavu Ganapathi Temple Rd, Opp Ideal Towers, Hampankatta, Mangalore, Karnataka
- How To Reach: It can be reached by local buses or auto-rickshaws as it is located about 7 km away from the heart of the city Mangalore.
- Timings: 05:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4:30 PM to 08:00 PM
- Temple Website (If any): https://sharavu.org/
- Best Time To Visit: Shravan month of Hindu mythology
- Top Attractions: Festivals and cultural events.
Mangaladevi Temple
An ancient temple, devoted to Goddess Mangla Devi, a form of Goddess Shakti is located at a distance of about 3 km to the southwest of the city center. This massive temple is a quiet place for devotees who can sit, meditate, and chat here. Known for its brilliant architecture, this temple has various smaller shrines within the temple complex dedicated to various deities and has a very spiritually festive atmosphere. It is said the name of the city M.angalore is named after the Goddess Mangladevi.
- Address: Mangaladevi Road, Bolar, Mangaluru, Karnataka
- How To Reach: It can be reached by local buses or auto-rickshaws as it is located about 3 km away from the city center of Mangalore.
- Timings: 6 AM to 1 PM, 4 PM to 8:30 PM
- Temple Website (If any): http://www.mangaladevitemple.com/
- Best Time To Visit: August-October
- Top Attractions: Architecture, festivals.
Mahalingeshwara Temple
Located in the Puttur town, dated back to the 12th century this temple is devoted to an incarnation of Lord Shiva, Lord Mahaingeshwara. The chariot festival is the main festival here which is celebrated for 10 days in the month of April every year and It is visited this time by lakhs of people.
- Address: Dakshina Kannada, Puttur, Karnataka 574201
- How To Reach: It can be reached by regular private buses and is located in Kavoor, 5 km away from the Mangalore city. The nearest railway station is the Mangalore railway station, 6 km away and nearest airport is Mangalore airport which is 4 km away.
- Timings: 5:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- Temple Website (If any): https://putturmahalingeshwaratemple.kar.nic.in/
- Best Time To Visit: April
- Top Attractions: Chariot festival.
Thousand Pillars Jain Temple
A huge Jain temple located on about 37 km away from Mangalore which dates back to 1430 AD. It is dedicated to a renowned Jain Saint, Shri Chandranath Swami and has his 2.5-meter high bronze idol in the temple. Built-in the Vijaynagara style of architecture, this temple has a thousand pillars that are carved n a very exceptional manner and in an ancient Nepalese style.
- Address: Mudbidri, Karnataka 574227
- How To Reach: It can be reached by bus and taxi as it is well connected to major cities like Bangalore, Udupi, etc. The nearest airport is Mangalore airport which is just 37 km from here and the nearest railway station is the Mangalore railway station.
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Best Time To Visit: December to March
- Top Attractions: Architecture
Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple
Stand on an island in the Nandini river, this temple is at a distance of 29 km from the Mangalore city devoted to Goddess Durga. Being one of the holiest temples in the city, the temple is visited by a large no. of people and the temple also provides free lunch and dinner to the devotees and visitors every day at the temple premises. In the month of April, there is an 8-day long occasion that takes place. During the monsoon months, tourists can get a very serene view of the landscape in the surrounding.
- Address: Main Road, Kateelu, Karnataka 574148
- How To Reach: It can be reached by taxis and buses through NH 48 and NH 17 that connects major cities to this district. The nearest railway station is Mangalore which is 26 km away and the nearest railway station is the airport in Bajpe which is 16 km away from Mangalore city.
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Temple Website (If any): http://www.kateeldevi.in/
- Best Time To Visit: December to March
- Top Attractions: Scenic views of the landscape, festivals.
Karinjeshwara Temple
With beautiful and magnificent surroundings, this temple stands high on the hill with a height of 1000 feet from the sea level which gives the view of the lake below the hill involving 555 steps to reach the temple and dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. The main festival celebrated here is Maha Shivratri which is celebrated here by much enthusiasm and attracts a lot of visitors each year in the month of Feb- March every year.
- Address: Karinjeshwara, Kavalpadur, Karnataka 574265
- How To Reach: The nearest airport is located in Mangalore which is at a distance of only 35 km from the temple. The nearest railway station is at Mangalore, 35 km from the temple. This temple is well connected by a road network. It is at a distance of 35 km from Mangalore, and only 14 km from Bantwal.
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
- Best Time To Visit: February- March
- Top Attractions: Festivals, Scenic Views.
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple
Located in the town of Polali on the banks of river Phalguni, this renowned temple is devoted to Goddess Shri Raja Rajeshwari a form of Goddess Durga. The beautiful architecture of the temple is worth watching which has very pleasing designs and structure of Hindu Gods done with exquisite wood. The temple has a very magnificent ambiance and a soothing vibe attracts a lot of visitors here. The idol of Goddess Durga is more than 9 feet tall, made of clay with having some amazing crown on it made of precious gems.
- Address: Bantwal, Polali, Karnataka 574219
- How To Reach: Nearest Airport is Mangalore, Nearest Railhead is Mangalore. Polari is well connected by roads. There are buses plying between Mangalore and Polali every ten minutes.
- Timings:
- Temple Website (If any): http://polalitemple.com/
- Best Time To Visit: February- April
- Top Attractions: Idol and festivals.
Sri Venkataramana Devasthana
Centrally located in Mangalore city, Lord Shree Veera Venkatesha is worshipped here and is famous for its unique car festival which lasts for almost 5 days. Locals will get the new vehicles here for the rituals and that festival makes this place very rare and special to witness.BUilt in more than 300 years ago, this temple has also a rich history.
- Address: Sri Venkatrama Temple, Car Street, Mangaluru, Karnataka 575001
- How To Reach: It can be reached by local buses or auto-rickshaws as it is located in a very prominent location in the heart of the city Mangalore.
- Timings: 6 AM to 1 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
- Temple Website (If any): https://svtmulki.org/
- Best Time To Visit: January- February.
- Top Attractions: Car festival.
Temples being an important part of Hindu culture, should be visited by all to know about the rich culture and practice more harmony and peace among each other. The above-mentioned list of temples is the door to that and must visit these places to have your best memories. Have a nice journey!.
