| |
 |
Ullal
:
This pilgrim centre and beach resort is located
12kms from Mangalore. The Ullal Jamma Masjid here in memory
of the Muslim saint Syed Muhamed Shareef Madani Melangadi
is a famous pilgrim centre for the Muslims. The Summer
Sands Beach Resort having rooms, restaurant and a swimming
pool near the beach, is a pleasant place to stay |
Moodabidire
:
Situated 35 kms from Mangalore, Moodabidire is famous
for its Jain temples known as Basti's. There are 18 Bastis,
the oldest and the largest is the Chandranatha Basti (1429)
famous
for its 1000 pillared hall. 'The Jain Matha' near the
entrance
has an important collection of manuscripts. Other shrines
worthy of mention are Shantinatha, Settara, Derama Setti
Basti, Guru Basti, Kote and Vikrama Setti Basti. |
 |
|
Karkala
:
50 kms from Mangalore and 20 kms from North of Moodabidire,
is Karkala, an important centre of Jainism. There are
several important temples and a 13metres high statue
of Bahubali (Gomateswara), situated on a small hill.
The statue is a naked figure reached by a flight of
rock-cut steps. Some of the temples are Chaturmukha
Basti (1587), Neminatha Basti, Anatapadmanabha Temple(1567)
dedicated to Vishnu, and Venkataramana temple.
|
Venur
:
Situated 50 kms NE of Mangalore, has eight Bastis and
ruins of a Mahadeva temple. The largest of them is the
17C Kalli Basti, dedicated to Shantinatha. There is
a Gommanteswara Monolith, 11metres high dating back
to 1604 in Venur.
|
 |
|
Malpe
Beach:
Situated 66 kms north of Mangalore, near Manipal. The
peaceful surroundings, makes this beach a favourite holiday
spot. The uninhibited St. Mary's Island, just a boat ride
away has a beach and an impressive geological formation
of basalt rock pillars into the sea. |
Gokarna
Spectacularly situated by the Arabian Sea, Gokarna has
now become a favourite destination of visitors in search
of sun, sea and sand. A charming little town with two
principal streets and clusters of traditional tile - roofed
brick houses, Gokarna is also an important centre of Sanskrit
learning.
The ancient Mahabaleshvara Temple, at the western end
of the main street, was destroyed by the Portuguese in
1714 and then rebuilt later in the 18th century. In the
sanctuary is a stone linga, encased in brass, placed on
a coiled stone serpent. The floor of the hall in front
has an intricate engraving of a giant tortoise. Shiva's
birthday (Feb / Mar) is celebrated here with great fanfare. |
The two great temple chariots lead a procession
through the town's narrow streets, while priests
and pilgrims chant hymns in praise of Shiva. |
|
|
Barkur
It is situated at 71 km from Mangalore. The Coastal Town
of Barkur was a flourishing port in the 15th and 16th
centuries until its river silted up. Today, the town's
main attractions are its many temples with their typical
sloping terracotta - tiled roofs. The largest is the Panchalingeshvara
Temple, situated at the southern end of the town. Devotees
gather at the stepped tank near the temple for a ritual
bath before worshipping at the two east - facing linga
shrines. The other temples include one dedicated to both
Shiva and Ganesha, and the smaller Someshvara and Somanatheshvara
temples. |
Krishna
Temple (Udipi)
All Roads in Udipi lead to the large open square in the
city centre where the krishna Temple is located. This
is the focal point of all activity, spirtual and commercial,
in this bustling pilgrim town.
The famous 13th - century Vaishnava teacher, Madhava,
is believed to have founded the temple by installing an
image of Krishna he had rescued from a shipwreck. Parked
outside the temple are the festival chariots with dome
- like towers made of bamboo and covered with colourful
textiles.
Surrounding the square are other temples and the eight
mathas associated with the Krishna Temple, built in the
typical Kanara style with wooden verandahs and sloping
roofs. The distance between from Mangalore to Udipi is
58 km (36 miles). |
After
passing through the entrance gate, pilgrims bathe
in the tank before entering the main sanctuary with
its silver doors and viewing window. |
|
|
Kollur:
Kollur is 147 kms from Mangalore and 45 kms from kundapur.
The famous temple of goddess Mookambika is located here
on top of Kodachadri hill, at the foot of the Western
Ghats. The goddess takes the form of a 'Jyotirlinga' incorporating
the aspects of Shiva and Shakti. It is a famous pilgrimage
centre attracting lot of devotees.
It is
one of the most important places of pilgrimage on the
west coast attracting pilgrims from all over India. Inside
the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, there is an ancient
jyotirlinga which is divided by a golden line into two
unequal parts, the greater representing the three Goddesses,
Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali and the smaller
Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The temple dome, including
the kalasha, is made up of gold.
|
Dharmastala:
Situated 75 kms from Mangalore, Dharmastala is an attractive
site surrounded by forested hills, rice fields and by
the river Netravati on all sides. The Manjunatha temple
here is a famous pilgrim centre. A Monolithic statue of
Bahubali 14metres high was erected here in 1973.
Visitors are provided with free boarding and lodging by
the temple authorities. There is a small museum, Manjusha
Museum located opposite to the temple. There are two temple
chariots covered in wooden figures and all types of religious
objects including carved and painted panels, bronze sculptures
and bells. |
|
|
|
