Take a Spiritual Tour of the Temples in Mangalore

Mangalore also officially known as Mangaluru is a renowned port city located in Karnataka’s coastal region. It is situated at a distance of around three hundred kilometers from Bengaluru City. For the locals of Bangalore, the city of Mangalore is one of the most popular weekend getaways. It houses a number of tourist destinations including serene beaches and ancient temples. These religious sites of the city make a perfect tour for anyone looking to head out on a spiritual tour with family or friends. While exploring the various religious spots you will get to witness the rich ancient South Indian style of architecture in its multiple forms. The city is an ideal combination of relaxation and spirituality clubbed into one. Therefore, when visiting Mangalore make sure to take some time out to discover the sites that invoke the spirit of spirituality and sacred.

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1. Kudroli Gokarnath Temple

The very beautiful Kudroli Gokarnath Temple of Mangalore is one of the must-visit religious sites of Mangalore. It was built for the Billava Community by Sri Narayan Guru as the community members were prohibited to enter any other temple of the region. Sri Narayan Guru was a renowned social reformer and saint from Kerala. The temple was built back in the year 1912. The idol that the temple houses are that of Gokarnanatheshwara or Lord Shiva. The main temple along with the other temples of the surroundings are crafted in pleasing the Tamil Nadu style of architecture. The decorations on the murals depict the several mythological legends. There is the main temple, which is further surrounded by a number of smaller temples. The various smaller temples are for Annapoorneswari, Subramanya, Anandabhairava, Navagraha, Mahaganapathi, and Shaneeshwara. The renowned festivals like Navratri and Shivaratri are celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm here. Four pillars and gopuras crafted in Tamil Nadu style of architecture, decorated with murals further add to the charm of the temple. These showcase scenes from epics of various Goddesses and Gods, mythology as well as a number of legends. The land on which the temple stands has been given the name of ‘Kudre-Valli’, owing to the fact that Tipu Sultan’s horse used to graze on this land. This temple was the dream of Sri Narayan Guru, which was brought to life by a dedicated devotee named H. Koragappa.

Distance from City Centre – 5 kilometers

Time to Explore the Kudroli Gokarnath Temple – 2 to 3 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM -7:00 PM on all days including public holidays and weekends

2. Kadri Manjunatha Temple

The Kadri Manjunatha Temple is another addition to the list of religious sites that must be explored while in Mangalore. It was built back in the year 1068. The architecture of this temple is an example of a Buddhist influence on the renowned Vijayanagar style. The temple is nestled at the base of the mighty and lush green Kadri Hills. The main idol of the temple is that of Manjunatha. The temple is said to be created back in the 10-century or 11-century. Later, back in the 14-century, the temple was completely converted into a stone structure. The idol of Lord Manjunathaswamy that the temple houses is said to be the oldest in South India. The surroundings of the temple feature a number of small-sized ponds full of water. The idols of a number of idols including that of Machendranath, Shringinath, Manjushri, Gorakanath, Lokeshwara, and Buddha are housed within this temple. The northern side of the temple features a small-sized temple of Lord Ganesha while the western side features a temple of Goddess Durga. Various festivals are celebrated here with enthusiasm. The prominent ones being Karthika Maasa, Ganesha Chaturthi, Kadiruthsava, Navrathri, and many others.

Distance from City Centre – 3 kilometres

Time to Explore the Kadri Manjunatha Temple – 2 to 3 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM on all the days of a week including public holidays

3. Mangaladevi Temple

Mangaladevi Temple is a temple that houses the idol of Goddess Mangaladevi, a form of Goddess Durga or Goddess Shakti. This massive temple of Durga is visited by a large number of devotees as well as tourists visiting the city each year. It is quite a popular religious site known for its brilliant architecture. Goddess Mangaladevi is said to be powerful and devotees believe that she grants the wishes of all. The temple complex is quite a massive one where the devotees and visitors can sit, meditate as well as a chant as per their desire. The peaceful feeling and divine vibe that one gets here are worth experiencing. It is said that the massive temple was built by Lord Parshuram. Within the community of the Hindus, Goddess Mangaladevi is supremely revered. The name of the city of Mangalore has also been derived from the name of this Goddess. It is believed that back in history, a princess from Malabar had given up her royal living in order to become the disciple of Saint Matsyendranath. She was renamed as Mangaladevi. When in Mangalore, she fell sick near Bolar and died. After which the locals constructed this huge temple in her honour and gave it the name of Mangaladevi Temple. The temple has been mostly built in wood and the architecture is in the South Indian style. There are various smaller shrines within the temple complex that are dedicated to various other deities. During various festivals, the upper level of the temple plays drums, which builds the festive atmosphere and spreads the spiritual cheer to all those visiting the shrine.

Distance from City Centre – 7 kilometres

Time to Explore the Mangaladevi Temple – 2 to 3 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM on all the several days of the week including public holidays

4. Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple

Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple is another addition to the list of temples in Mangalore. It is one of the holiest temples in the city. The temple is nestled in the center of Nandini River on an isle amidst lush green surroundings. This unique feature of this religious site attracts a number of tourists each year. The surroundings of the temple offer serene views of the landscape, especially during the monsoon months. The temple houses the idol of Goddess Durga Parameshwari. The management team of the temple has been successful in maintaining the temple for years. There is enough vacant space available in the temple where the devotees can sit, pray, chant as well as enjoy the peaceful ambiance. Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple makes an ideal spiritual escape for all.

Distance from City Centre – 15 kilometres

Time to Explore the Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple – 2 to 3 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM

5. Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple

Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple is another popular temple in Mangalore dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva. The temple is around 800 years old and plays an essential role in the city’s religious belief system since then. The term ‘Sharavu’ means arrow and has been derived from the term ‘Shara’. The temple premises are quite clean and well maintained providing a serene ambiance to the various devotees and visitors. Although the temple is visited by devotees every day, it experiences major crowd on the occasion of various festivals like Dussehra, Sankranthi, as well as Ganesh Chaturthi. The regular prayers are attended by a number of locals and visitors with utmost devotion and enthusiasm. The aarti of the Lords is one of the most attractive features of the temple. The several rituals of the temple are always accompanied by chanting of priests and traditional instrumental music. To the south side of the complex of the temple lies the shrine of Lord Ganpati while to the western side lies the shrine of Lord Shiva. The idols of the temple are beautifully covered with silver sheets. The temple also features a sanctum sanctorum with Lord Ganesha’s images and a Shivalinga. The premises of the temple also features a sacred cow’s idol made up of stone as well as a tank. There is also an outer courtyard featured within the temple premises.

Distance from City Centre – 5 kilometers

Time to Explore the Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple – 2 to 3 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM on all the various days of the week including public holidays

6. Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple

Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple dates back to the 8-century and is dedicated to Shri Rajarajeshwari. The idol of Shri Rajeshwari is crafted using a form of clay that possesses medicinal properties. This feature of the temple attracts a number of visitors from all across the country. The architecture of the temple is worth praise with the structures of Hindu Gods done with exquisite wood as well as the roofs made with plates of copper. The temple has witnessed several renovations in the past years and has come out with a more pleasing design each time. The soothing vibe, the peaceful ambiance as well as the pull of the deity collectively attract a number of devotees to the temple. Goddess Rajarajeshwari is a form of Goddess Durga or Goddess Shakti and is considered to be the creator and destroyer of the universe. All the various Hindu festivals are celebrated here with enthusiasm the major ones being the Polali Chendu Festival as well as the Annual Festival. The fine architecture of the temple is that of the renowned South Indian Style. It is said that initially the temple was developed using molten brass and the interior of the temple also features four large platforms. The highest platform was used to install the idol of Sri Rajarajeshwari. The idol was crafted using gold and the eyes were made up of rubies. Later on, the idol was replaced by one made up of clay.

Distance from City Centre – 11 kilometres

Time to Explore the Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple – 2 to 3 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM on all the days of the week. It is also open on public holidays

7. Thousand Pillars Jain Temple

Thousand Pillars Jain Temple is another addition to the interesting list of religious temples to be explored in Mangalore City. This temple is a Jain temple dedicated to Shri Chandranath who was a renowned Jain Saint. This temple of the Jains is 560-years old and it features its history beautifully carved on its concrete pillars and tall walls. The architecture that the temple displays is that of the renowned and ancient Nepalese style. Situated in Moodabidire, this temple is one of the must-visits while out on a spiritual tour in the city.

Distance from City Centre – 7 kilometers

Time to Explore the Thousand Pillars Jain Temple – 1 to 2 Hours

Entry Fee – No entry fee

Visiting Hours – 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM on all the days of a week including all the public holidays

As the above list shows, Mangalore makes one of the ideal spiritual destinations in India for those seeking divinity and peace. Each has its own story that can only be discovered and appreciated after visiting each and every religious site. The various temples of the city can be explored in a time span of two to three days. Apart from visiting the temples you can also relish the delicious South Indian dishes and enjoy some leisure time at the famous beaches.