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This coast is a delight
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Dakshina Kannada's temples and beaches make it a hot tourist destination
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Dakshina Kannada is one of the most scenic districts in the country.
DAKSHINA KANNADA (DK), the southern most part of Karnataka, is a slender stretch of land endowed with silvery beaches and crystal blue waters that merge into the sea giving the coast a glimpse of nature's unending beauty. The district, beginning from Mangalore, is known for its religious tourism too that brings devotees from all over the country and abroad. Beaches or temples, DK is a great tourist destination.
Mangalore
The city of Mangalore derives its name from the Mangaladevi temple. Situated 3 km from the city, the shrine was built by Kundavarma on the advice of two Nepalese seers in the 10th Century. A visit is ideal during Navaratri. One of the oldest temples of South India, it may not boast of splendid architecture, but its typically Dakshina Kannada facade is classic.
The Kadri Manjunath temple dating back to 1068, the oldest Shiva temple in peninsular India, is associated with the legend of Parashurama. The temple on the Kadri hill is known as the Caves of the Pandavas and is famous for the water coming from the gomukha. Legend has it that the idol of Manjunathaswamy at Dharmasthala was brought from Kadri.
The Gokarnath temple at Kudroli was established by Narayana Guru in 1912. It was renovated in Chola style, from its earlier Kerala style, in 1991. Navarathri celebration here is said to be best in the State after Mysore. It is popular with backward communities who worship Shiva in the form of Gokarnatheshewara.
The Kateel Durga Parameshwari temple is 28 km from Mangalore. The deity here is an udbhava linga. Located on the banks of the Nandini, the goddesses here are considered Durga's avatars. The river was brought to this land by Jabala Maharshi and keeps the temple cool even in summer.
The Mahalingeshwara temple, Puttur, 50 km from Mangalore, dates back to 1352, the reign of the Vijayanagara king Pratapa Devaraya. The rathotsava and lakshadeepotsava celebrated alongside a jatre between April 10 and 19 every year are a special feature here.
Moodbidri
The thousand-pillared basadi at Moodbidri, known as the Kashi of Jains, is 35 km northeast of the city on NH 13. This 14th Century basadi is an architectural delight. There are plans to have a sound and light show here.
Venur, 54 km from Mangalore, has the 38-foot monolith of Bahubali dating back to 1605 that is attributed to the Ajila prince Veerathimanna IV. On the banks of the Gurupura, Venur houses eight basadis and the ruins of the Mahadeva temple. The Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple, 75 km east of Mangalore, is a prominent Saivaite centre. The temple is administered by the Heggades. Dharmasthala gets its name from the fact that every devotee gets free board and lodging facilties.
Bantwal
Karinjeshwara temple at Bantwal, dedicated to Shiva and Parvathi, is 32 km from the city. It attracts a huge number of devotees during Shivaratri.
Nara Hari Betta, 25 kms from Mangalore, is known as the place where Nara and Hari, incarnations of Vishnu, were supposed to have performed their penance. This hilltop is also known for its ponds, which are in the form of Shanka, Chakra, Gadha, and Padma, the weapons of Vishnu. Taking a holy dip in the Karthik Somvar is a must here. Kukke Subramanya temple, Subramanya, 104 km from Mangalore, amidst lush green land irrigated by the Kumaradhara, is another temple to visit.
Churches, mosques
This part of Karnataka also has famous churches and mosques too. One of the most popular shrines is the St. Aloysius Chapel and Museum, an architectural gem built on the campus of St. Aloysius College in 1900. The chapel has a series of stunning paintings by the Italian artist Antonio Moscheni.
The St. Rosario Cathedral, erected in 1568, is reminiscent of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome. This is a simple structure with stained glass windows and an altar of Jesus and Mary created with ceramic tiles. The breathtaking portion here, however, is the ornate wooden pulpit that comes with images of the evangelists, Mary, and Jesus.
The St. Milagres church, Church of the Lady of Miracles, built in 1680 A.D. houses the shrine of St. Antony of Padua.
Dakshina Kannada will not disappoint on another count. The Sayyad Mohammed Sherief-ul-Madani Dargah at Ulla, built in memory of Saint Sayyad Madani, is an important mosque that is 400 years old. The Urs festival, celebrated once in four years, features discourses by religious scholars within the precincts of the Juma Masjid and the dargah.
Trekking
DK has a lot of trekking to offer. A kickstart can be made from Jamalabad Fort in Belthangady, 66 km from Mangalore. It was built by Tipu Sultan in memory of his mother, Jamalabee. Tipu built also built the Sultan Bathery, 6 km from the city, an 18th Century watchtower near the scenic Gurupura river.
Those who like to commune with nature can check out Pilikula Nisargadhama and Tagore Park. Pilikula, located 12 km off the Mangalore-Karkala highway, is an integrated nature park spread over 350 acres. The botanical gardens here and an aquarium are a must-see. Another picnic place is the Birumale Betta, 52 km southeast of Mangalore, having a children's park and an open-air auditorium, and the Bendre teertha, a natural hot water spring on the banks of Seerehole near Puttur.
Beaches
Four major beaches in the area are Someshwara that is an unspoilt, rocky beach, Ullal, Panambur, and Sasihitlu. The beautiful island of Munda, ringed by the rivers Shambavi and Nandini on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other, makes it a hot destination for tourists.
There is something for people who appreciate art too — the Balavana at Puttur. The scenic place is immortalised by Kota Shivarama Karanth, whose affection for children made him name the place Balavana. The place has a swimming pool, the children's play area, children's library, an open-air theatre that can accommodate 2000 people, and a museum dedicated to Karanth himself.
Just across the DK border, 95 km southwest of Chikmagalur, located at 6,214 feet above sea level in the Malnad region, is Kudremukh that has a rich collection of flora and fauna, caves, and some lovely ruins. The Kudremukh National Park, Bhagawathi Nature Camp, Hanumangundi Falls, Ganga Moola, and the Lakhya Dam are other tourist centres.
BY A CORRESPONDENT
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