Mangalore, the district head quarters of the Dakshinakannada district, and a port town is located in the  state of Karnataka, South India.  The Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the east have turned Mangalore into a lush green, well forested land with quiet lagoons and palm fringed beaches. This coastal town is a big commercial centre and has a long history of maritime trade.  Even today it is a major centre for the export of coffee and cashew nuts.

Mangalore or Mangalore or Mangalapuram as it’s called in Kerala derives its name from Goddess Mangala Devi, who is the presiding deity of the MangalaDevi temple which is just three km from the city. The Manjunatha Temple , dating back to 1068 A.D, houses the bronze statue of God Lokeshwara and is worth visiting.

St. Aloysius College Chapel, located on Light house hill contains the frescos painted by the Jesuit priest Moscheni on the walls and ceiling and is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of South India. Sultan’s Battery, Jumma Masjid, and the Kadri with laterite caves are interesting places in the city.  A short travel takes one to Ullal, just 12 km from Mangalore, with its enchanting beach marked by an abundance of fir trees.