Background: I am trying to explore India as much as I can. In my case, it cannot be done in a single mega trip. Hence breaking it down into many small trips.
State: Karnataka
Towns/Cities: Mangaluru/Mangalore, Udupi, Kollur, Sharavati River, Jog Falls, Honnavar, Murudeshwar and Manipal.
Introduction to Karnataka
The 6th largest (by area) state in India.
Largest Coffee-exporting state of India.
Home to the 2nd highest plunge waterfall in India, Jog Falls (Nohkalikai Falls in Meghalaya is the highest).
Home to India’s technology capital, Bengaluru/Bangalore.
Home to one of India’s most historical and beautiful cities, Mysuru/Mysore.
Home to Hampi, the medieval Vijayanagara empire’s capital.
Kannada is the official language.
Karnataka is host to 13 (!) different languages.
Originally called “State of Mysore”.
Gomateshwara statue, located in Shravanabelagola, is the World’s tallest monolithic statue.
Karnataka is famous for its Sandalwood.
My Experiences
First Impressions:
There is a tropical vibe in Mangaluru/Mangalore area, like in Kerala. In fact, Mangaluru/Mangalore reminded me a lot of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.
Mangaluru/Mangalore is quite hilly, with up and down roads.
I was amazed at the sheer number of rivers, big and small, flowing into the Arabian Sea (towards the West).
Mookambika Temple area in Kollur, was just like Kerala, with many “Kerala Restaurants”, Malayalam boards/signs, and Malayalam-speaking crowds.
During the coastal ride from Honnavar to Mangaluru/Mangalore, I noticed that every other Seafood restaurant was called “Fish Land” 🙂
Pabbas, Mangalore/Mangaluru: An Ice-Cream lover’s paradise … Quite crowded even on a Monday.
Machali, Mangalore/Mangaluru: Love Seafood? A nice place to try …
Giri Manjas, Mangalore/Mangaluru. Its on a small street, around 2km from Railway Station.Walked along streets lile this … On the way to Giri Manjas for lunch.Was the 1st customer at Giri Manjas 🙂 Mangalore/Mangaluru.“Milagres” means “Miracles”? Milagres Church, Mangalore/Mangaluru.Milagres Church, Mangalore/Mangaluru. Could not get in, as all gates were closed. Due to it being a Monday, I guess …Hotel Taj Mahal, where I had a late breakfast. Mangalore/Mangaluru.Coconuts! Mangalore/Mangaluru has a very tropical Kerala-like vibe to it.Gurupura River, on the way from Mangaluru Airport to the City …Giri Manjas: Fish Thali, Prawns Fry & Seer/Anjal Fry. A traditional looking simple eatery. Tucked along an interior street, 2km from Milagres Church. Focused on the seafood and did not touch the papad and veg side dish 😀 Hotel Taj Mahal: Late breakfast of Biscuit Roti (Was fantastic!), Goli Bhaji, Banana Halwa and Filter Coffee. Clearly, not the items to eat regularly 😉 Goli Bhaji and Filter Coffee were so-so.Pabbas: Gadbad … Like a Falooda. My friends tell me that Pabbas is very crowded during weekends, especially Sundays. Machali: Fish Thali, with Tawa-fried Anjal/Seer and Prawns Ghee Roast. Mangalore/Mangaluru, Karnataka.The awesome tree-filled MRPL township, near Mangalore/Mangaluru. I am guessing that the outdoor joggers living in this township would be having a grand time doing loops amongst the greenery … 👌 The township’s security staff had one eye on me, as I was walking all around, and taking many pictures 😀Hotel Narayana, Mangalore/Mangaluru. Among the seafood eateries tried so far, THE No:1 👌 The Fish Thali with the yummy sides, the Tawa-fried Fish (Anjal/Seer, in my case (Not big on bony Fish 😀)) with the crumbs, the chili-infused buttermilk … It was bliss 😍Panambur, Tannirbhavi and Bengre beaches in Mangalore/Mangaluru … In the scorching morning-noon heat, there were hardly any other people 🙂Breakfast at Hotel Janata Deluxe, Mangalore/Mangaluru … Neer Dosa, Mangalore Bun, Kottige (An Idli-like item) and Kashi Halwa.Sri Mookambika Temple, Kollur, Karnataka. From the 8th Century. A very famous shrine for people from the neighboring Kerala. Saw several “Kerala Hotels” and also countless Malayalis speaking Malayalam. I felt as if I was in Kerala 🙂Nice view of the Sharavati River … Sharavati Wildlife Reserve, Karnataka.Tadgola Sundae, at Naturals IceCream. Made with Palm fruit core. Mangalore/Mangaluru, Karnataka.An amazing number of rivers flow into the Arabian Sea, from this side of Karnataka.Maravanthe Beach, Karnataka. The water looked very clear.Shri Murudeshwar Temple, Murdeshwar, Karnataka. The Gopuram built in 2008 is reputed to be (one of the) tallest in the World. The Lord Shiva statue is the 2nd tallest in the World, after the one in Rajasthan. There is a statue of the person who had led all the renovations (In 1970s). The nearby beach looked awesome and there were many people using the beach even though it was scorching hot (Around 3PM).Hanging Bridge, over Sharavati River. The hanging bridge seemed to be very popular with two-wheelers. During the time I was there, countless scooters and motorcycles made the crossing.Jog Falls, Shivamogga District, Karnataka. The mid-March Jog 😀 Quite a different scene from what I have seen in Sep-Oct pictures of the mighty waterfall. Massive renovation/construction work was going on. Panoramic viewing decks, hotels with the view of the waterfalls from rooms Etc. If my understanding of what I saw is correct, from 2025-26, Jog Falls should be an even better tourist attraction. Getting there is not easy, as we have to take the ever-winding roads through Sharavati Wildlife Reserve.Village scenes … During the ride to Jog Falls, Shivamogga, Karnataka.During the drive through Sharavati Wildlife Reserve … Felt a lot like Wayanad, Kerala 🙂Entrance to the Mudbidri 1008-Pillar Jain Temple … Mudbidri, Karnataka.Anekere Lake Temple, Karkala, Karnaraka. There were lots of Ducks/Geese around 🙂St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur, near Karkala, Karnataka.Malpe Beach, Udupi, Karnataka. Did not take the short boat ride to St.Mary’s Island. It was way too hot and more importantly, wasn’t very interested in it.Had this Rajbhog Cone at Malpe Beach …Shree Krishna Temple, Udupi, Karnataka.Lunch at Thimmappa, Udupi. Was very crowded. Since I was alone, was escorted to the non-Family area. The Anjal/Seer Tawa Fry and the Prawns Ghee Roast, were, as usual in this area, very nice. The meals itself (Side dishes, unlimited Rice and Fish Curry, costs only 40Rs! Of course, extras costs more).Malpe Beach, Udupi, Karnataka. Easily the biggest and most popular beach of this region, near Udupi, Karnataka.The beautiful Kaup/Kapu Beach, North of Mangalore/Mangaluru … As usual, due to the searing heat, not many people. Most people come in the evenings, it seems.Padubidri Beach and Mattu Beach … North of Mangalore/Mangaluru, Karnataka.Walk through the fishing village(s) near Padubidri Beach … Very peaceful it was.Bahubali Temple, Karkala, Karnataka. Have to climb a few stairs to get to it. Only I was there 😀 The views from the top were nice. Built in 1432 (As per the Tourism India signboard). The statue is 42ft tall.The “1008-Pillar” Jain Temple, Mudbidri, Karnataka. You have to pay a bit extra to take photos. Again, absolutely no tourists 🙂 Maybe mornings are not popular with local tourists.St. Lawrence Shrine, Attur, Karkala, Karnataka. Built in 1997. The Shrine has a huge compound.The drive from Mattu Beach to Malpe Beach in Udupi … The views were fantastic.Few of the intricate pillars at the 1008-Pillar Jain Temple at Mudbidri, Karnataka.
