An identity of it’s Own
Dakshin Kanara, has a totally different culture and tradition compared to the rest of the state. For starters the dominant language in this region is not Kannada, it is Tulu. Apart from Tulu, a sizeable number of Konkani speakers are also present here, as well as some local dialects. This also happens to be one of the most prosperous and educated regions in India. The average literacy rate of the region is between 80% much higher than the national average. This region is one of the most educated in India, with a very high literacy rate. Apart from the NIT, Surathkal, we also have the famous Manipal Group, renowned for it’s professional courses in Engineering, Medicine and Management.
Bunts
Bunts are the dominant community in this area, and like the Agarwals, a very prosperous mercantile community. Bollywood has many prominent Bunts like Aishwarya Rai, Sunil Shetty, Shilpa Shetty, music director Sandeep Chowta. Other prominent Bunts include Dr.Devi Shetty, singer Ganesh Hegde, actor Prakash Raj. They have their own cuisine, traditions and like Mallus, often follow a matrilineal system. In fact a majority of the Kannadigas settled outside the state, come from this area. Apart from the Bunts, the other prominent communities here are Konkani, Brahmins as well as sizable population of Muslims, Catholics and Jains. Other notable personalities from this region are M.Veerapa Moily( ex CM), Oscar Fernandes, Margaret Alva, Janardhan Poojary, George Fernandes(politics), Sneha Ullal, Hansika Motwani, Amrita Rao( actresses), Ravi Shastri, Anil Kumble( cricket), Daya Nayak( encounter cop), T.M.A.Pai( of Manipal Educational Institutions) to name a few.
Mangalore
The district headquarters and the largest city in this region, it also has a major port. One of the most cosmopolitan cities in India, it has a fair mix of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. Tulu, Konkani, Kannada are the major languages here. One of the most beautiful towns in India, with miles and miles of coconut groves and red tiled homes, with elaborate wood work.
Named after Mangala Devi, it was a major trading center during the Vijaynagar Empire reign. It passed hands between the Portugese and Arabs, before Haider Ali, conquered this place in 1763, before coming under British control between 1768 and 1794. Tipu Sultan again conquered it, and after his death, the British totally took over the city. It became a part of Karnataka in 1956.
Yakshagana
One of the major art forms in this region, it is to Kanara, what Kathakali is to Kerala. It’s a theater form which came from the Vaishnava Bhakti movement. The version prevalent in Southern Kanara is called as Tenkutittu. Most of the plays are based on stories from epics, using a mixture of dance, drama and song. Like Kathakali, this also has the concept of using different masks for each character. It is also famous for it’s puppetry.
Hulivesha
This is a sort of tiger dance usually done during Dussehra in honor of Goddess Sharada. Typically this involves men painted as tigers roaming the streets and dancing to the sound of drum beats.
Bhuta Kola
The worship of spirits is an integral part of this region. Now don’t confuse this with some sort of Satanic worship or Devil worship. Spirits here are referred to the souls of those guarding the villages. Many villages in South India, have this concept of a village deity, one who looks after the village, and the Bhuta here refers to that. A person possessed by a spirit communicates with the devotees here, more like an oracle, which can answer your queries.
Other popular traditions here are the Kambala,a buffalo race held in paddy fields during the harvesting season between December and March, and the Korikatta or cockfight.
What to See?
Temples
The Kadri Manjunatha Temple located in the Kadri Hill, around 2km from Mangalore, is a 11th century temple, and is famous for it’s tanks with natural springs and the laterite caves surrounding it. Famous for the Kambala race that takes place in December.
75 km away from Mangalore is the famous Manjunatha Temple at Dharmasthala, set in picturesque surroundings on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The temple is a major Shaivite center, with Vaishnavite priests and administered by a Jain family, the Heggades. There is a 39 ft statue of Bahubali here, and the temple is built in typical Kerala style architecture. Pilgrims visiting this place are given free food and lodging for 3 days and during the Karthik month in November-December, you have the Laksha Deepothsava.
104 Km from Mangalore is the famous Kukke Subramanya temple, where the serpent God, Subramanya is worshiped. The temple is famous for the Sarpa Dosha ritual, performed to ward off evil influences as also the Nagamandala dance, where the lead dancer wears the attire of Ardha Narishwara, half man and half female.
Beaches, Parks and Resorts
Pillikula Nisargadhama around 10 km from Mangalore is an integrated nature park, that will please wildlife lovers. It has a lake, wildlife sanctuary, aquarium and science center.
For beach lovers you have the Summer Sands Beach Resort at Ullal, 15 km from Mangalore, and with some quite cottages, as also the Surathkal Beach close to NIT. 12 km away is the Tannirbavi Beach where you can have wonderful view of the sunset.
Other Places
The St.Aloysius Church in Mangalore, and the Ullal Dargah are popular with Christians and Muslims. Moodabidri has a 1000 pillar shrine or Basadi dedicated to Jain saint, Chandranath. Intricately carved, this Jain temple has some wonderful sculptures.
Sulthan Batheri around 6km away from Mangalore, has a fort built by Tipu Sultan to prevent warships from entering the river. Though more of a watch tower, the structure resembles a fortress.
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