Are you planning a family trip to Mangalore? Are your parents and children accompanying you? Worry not, because Mangalore is a city that has both sun-kissed clean beaches and religious spots. This city is a perfect combination of rejuvenation and spirituality.
The temples in and around Mangalore, have magnificent architectures that will leave you spellbound. Some of these temples have existed for many centuries.
A visit to these holy shrines will be an enriching experience for all. In this post, I’ll mention some of the most spectacular temples that tourists should consider visiting.
There are so many temples, that time may not be sufficient for you to visit every religious spot, especially if you have planned for a short trip.
One can plan their trip accordingly and make sure to cover both tourist destinations as well as religious places. Read further to know the top 10 temples in and around Mangalore that will give you a memorable experience and invoke spirituality within you.
Mangaladevi Temple
There are many temples in Mangalore dedicated to different forms of Goddess Durga or Goddess Shakti.
One such powerful Goddess is Mangaladevi. The city of Mangalore is named after this Goddess who always showers her blessings on her devotees. She is said to be very powerful and fulfills her devotees’ wishes who come to her with a pure mind. It is believed that the temple was built by Sage Parashurama.
Goddess Mangaladevi is highly revered by the Mangaloreans. During Navratri, the Goddess is adorned with beautiful silk sarees and jewelry on each day. Pilgrims can find peace and tranquility when they meditate inside the temple.
Location: Mangaladevi Temple Rd, Bolar, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Mahatobhaara Sri Mangaladevi Temple
Timings: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Kudroli Gokarnath Temple
The Gokarnanatheshwara Temple is one of the most famous temples in Mangalore. Located in the Kudroli area of Mangalore, this temple is dedicated to Gokarnanatha, a form of Lord Shiva.
Built-in 1912, this temple is an example of marvelous Dravidian-style architecture. The temple was built for the Billava Community by Sri Narayan Guru, who was a renowned social reformer and a saint from Kerala. There are a lot of other deities in the temple.
The temple flooring is made of marble which is an add-on to its beauty. They have one of the city’s best air-conditioned wedding halls. Tourists can even plan to visit the temple after sunset because at night once the lights are lit the Golden gopuram looks surreal.
During Dasara, the temple is illuminated with lights all over. The grand Dasara Mahotsava at the Kudroli Gokarnanatha temple is conducted every year when Goddess Saraswati aka Sharada is worshiped. A visit to this temple should not be missed.
Location: Kudroli, Kodailbail, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple
Timings: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 4.30 PM to 9:00 PM
Sri Venkataramana Devasthana
Sri Venkataramana Devasthana is located in Hampankatta, the heart of the city. Built more than 300 years ago, this temple has an interesting story about how the idol of Lord Veera Venkatramana was found.
The temple has other deities like Lakshmi, Ganapati, Hanuman, and Garuda. The interiors of the temple are laden with wooden carvings depicting different stories of the famous epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Devotees mostly belonging to the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community visit the temple.
The Rathotsava or “Kodial Teru” and Navaratri festival is celebrated every year on a grand scale. Devotees participate in the festival with a lot of enthusiasm. The year 2022 witnessed the 100th Sharada Mahotsav celebration where Goddess Sharada was worshiped by devotees who came from all nearby places in huge numbers.
During Navaratri, the temple would be illuminated with hundreds of lamps. Goddess Sharada is shown in her different forms each day.
There are a lot of idol shops and eateries in the vicinity of the temple which tourists can visit.
Location: Car street, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Sri Venkataramana Devasthana
Timings: 5 am to 12.30 pm, 6 pm to 9 pm
Shree Sharavu MahaGanapathi Temple
Sharavu Ganapathi Temple is a temple located close to Sri Venkataramana Devasthana where people get their newly bought vehicles and get Vehicle pooja done. The temple is around 800 years old and has a special place in people’s hearts. Lord Shiva is also worshiped here.
There is an interesting story about how the temple came into existence and also how the Srirangapatna ruler Tipu Sultan came with intentions to ruin the temple but failed in his plan and became a devotee of Lord Maha Ganapathy.
The premises of the temple are very clean and well-maintained providing a divine ambiance to the pilgrims. Although the temple is visited by devotees every day, one can expect a major crowd during festivals like Dasara, Sankranthi, and Ganesh Chaturthi.
Don’t forget to relish the famous ice cream delicacies at Ideal Cafe which is within walking distance from the temple!
Location: opp. Ideal Towers, Hampankatta, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Shree Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple
Timings: 6 am to 12.45 pm, 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple
Polali is a place located on the banks of River Phalguni. Around 19 km from Mangalore city, this ancient 8th-century temple built by King Suratha has got divine vibes. One of the powerful deities is worshiped here i.e. Shri Rajarajeshwari who is the form of Goddess Durga.
Her divine idol is made up of special clay which possesses medicinal properties. The clay idol of the Shri Rajarajeshwari is believed to be up to 5000 years old. The temple has roofs adorned with wooden carvings of Gods. The charming face of Shri Rajarajeshwari will surely give you a feeling of being blessed.
The most awaited festival is the Polali Chendu festival, a kind of football festival conducted once annually. A leather ball made by a cobbler family is used for the festival. The game lasts for 5 days. The game represents the victory of good over evil.
Location: Punchame, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Sri Rajarajeshwari temple polali
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Kateel Shri Durgaparameshwari Temple
Located on a small islet, connected by a bridge, this Durga temple is another temple that comes in the list of holy places in Mangalore. The temple is built on an island in the River Nandini. It is so powerful that it is visited by a huge number of devotees every year.
Around 25 km away from Mangalore city, this divine place is visited by many popular celebrities from the film industry such as Shilpa Shetty, Rishab Shetty, Kiccha Sudeep, etc. Devotees come to perform the ritual of Aksharabhyasam for their children. The Kateel Yakshagana Mela is a seva where artists perform Yakshagana to please the Goddess because it is said that the Goddess is fond of art, music, and dance.
Location: Temple Rd, Ullanje, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Sri Durgaaparameshwari temple, kateel
Timings: 5:30 am to 7.30 pm
Shri Surya Narayana Temple
Located in Maroli, which is just a 15 to 20 min drive from Mangalore city, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Surya. Here at the entrance, we can see Lord Surya’s 7 horses carved out of stone aesthetically.
Inside the temple, one can see lots of wooden and stone carvings which adds more beauty to this sacred abode. There is so much serenity and cleanliness in the temple that one can sit, meditate and enjoy the peaceful ambiance.
Location: Maroli, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Shree Suryanarayana Swami Gudi
Timings: 5:00 am to 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 8.30 pm
ISKCON Mangalore, Sri Jagannath Mandir
Sri Jagannath Mandir located in Kudupu, 8 km away from Mangalore has the deities Lord Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and his brother Baladev. The place is very calm and quiet, with enough parking space for visitors. Every year they conduct Rath Yatra and devotees participate in the procession with devotion and enthusiasm.
They have lots of spiritual programs like regular Bhagwad Gita classes every Sunday. A visit here gives an immense feeling of being blessed. Prasadam is given to devotees and it is very tasty.
Location: Kudupu Katte Bus Stand, Opp. Govt school Near Ananta Padmanabha Temple Kudupu, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: ISKCON Mangalore Sri Jagannath Mandir
Timings: 4:30 am to 1:00 pm, 4.30 pm to 8.00 pm
Kadri Manjunatha Temple
Built back in 1068, Kadri Manjunatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is believed to be one of the oldest in town and South India. The word ‘Manju’ means snow and ‘Natha’ means lord, hence Shiva is the lord of snow-covered mountains.
There are many deities inside the temple including Lord Ganesha and Goddess Durga. The temple has got Buddhist influence because Buddhist monks stayed here long ago.
One can also find Kashi Bhageerathi theertha here . There are 9 small ponds of different sizes where the holy water of this natural spring is let into. Another spot that is worth visiting here is the Pandava Caves. There are laterite caves in Kadri Hills, where it is believed that Pandavas stayed during their exile days. If you love history and Indian epics then do visit the historical caves.
Location: Kadri Temple Rd, Vasanth Vihar, Kadri, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Kadri Shree Manjunatha Swami Gudi , Pandava Cave
Timings: 5:30 am to 1:00 pm, 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Pandava Caves : 6:00 am to 7:00pm
Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, Uchila
The newly renovated Shri Mahalakshmi temple in Uchila is so mesmerizing that it’s impossible for anyone to not see this marvelous structure while traveling on the National Highway. Constructed with a modern touch, the temple is built over a vast area.
The Gopuram is painted white and it is illuminated with lights at night. Stone Pillars are carved out beautifully and the roof is beautiful with wooden carvings. Devotees can plan to visit after sunset because the temple looks stunning at night with lights that highlight the carvings.
The Supreme Deity Mahalakshmi is worshiped here who is the Goddess of Riches. The idol present here is believed to be the 3rd most revered idol after Kolhapur and Mumbai. Sculptors have given a touch of Hoysala style of architecture.
Shri Mahalakshmi temple is said to have a history of around 65 years which was recently renovated by the Mogaveera Community. There is a massive, well-maintained hall close to the temple where weddings and other ceremonies often take place.
Location: NH 17, Uchilakere, Karnataka 574117, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Sri Mahalakshmi Temple
Timings: 6:00 am to 2:30 pm, 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Hilltop Temple
Situated on a hilltop, Sri Karinjeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This hilltop temple is 35km away from Mangalore. Best known for scenic views, this temple is worth visiting.
Visitors have to climb around 500 or more steps to reach the top. Once you reach the top, you will be able to see panoramic views. There are certain places to stop when you take the steps.
Gadha Teertha, Angushta Teertha, Janu Teertha, Parvathi temple, Ganesha temple, Ukkadada Bagilu, Naivedya Kallu, and Shiva temple. The steps are steeper as you reach closer to the top. So this place is not advisable for people who cannot climb stairs.
Also, remember to carry water along with you. It is quite challenging for people who like adventures. To have a pleasant experience, it is better to reach early or maybe in the evening to avoid harsh sunlight in the noon. Beware of the army of hungry monkeys on the way as they may snatch your bags.
Location: Karinjeshwara, Kavalpadur, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Google maps location link: Sri Karinjeshwara Temple
Timings: 9:00 am to 12.30 pm, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
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