[show location on an interactive map] 12.87� N 74.88� E in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka state in India.[31] It has an average elevation of 99 metres (325 feet). It is situated on the west coast of India, with the Arabian Sea to the west and the Western Ghats to the east. The Gurupura and Netravati rivers effectively encircle the city by flowing around its north and south respectively. Both rivers form an estuary at the southern side of the city and flow into the Arabian sea. Mangalore experiences tropical climate. Summer and winter are similar in the city, and both are quite gratifying with an average temperature ranging between 27 �C (81 �F) to 34 �C (93 �F). Although, humidity is a problem as it reaches an average of about 78%. The city belongs to the Per-Humid (A) Zone and is under the direct influence of the Arabian Sea branch of the South-West monsoon. It receives about 90% of its total annual rainfall within a period of about six months from May to October while it is extremely dry from December to March

September to February

375 kms west of Bangalore is the district headquarters of Dakshina Kannada-Mangalore. With an important port, this coastal town is a major commercial center. Mangalore could be your entry point to Beach Country with its virgin and unexplored beaches. While in Mangalore try and see a Yakshagana performance an elaborate dance form unique to Karnataka. The Kambala (buffalo race) is another exciting event.

Ullal: This pilgrim centre and beach resort is located 12kms from Mangalore.

Mangalore is connected by road with national highways throughout the country. All types of tourist buses are easily available on hire.

Mangalore has two big railway stations. The Mangalore Central is at Hampankatta, in the heart of the city. It is a terminus. Mangalore Junction is the other station. It is situated about 5 to 10 kilometres from the centre of the city. It is on the Konkan railway track and connects Mangalore to Goa and Mumbai in the north and to Kerala in the south. Trains from Mangalore going north have to pass through Kankanady. Surathkal is a suburb of Mangalore, about 20 kilometres from the heart of the city along the National Highway 17. It has a railway station that is about 0.5 kilometres from the Surathkal bus-stand. Passengers arriving from north of Mangalore usually prefer to alight at Surathkal and take a bus to the city. This is because trains usually get held up in traffic between Surathkal and Mangalore.

Mangalore has an international airport situated at Bajpe, about 30 kms from the city centre. Currently there are daily flights to Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai (with a stop in Bangalore), Goa, Kochi and Calicut in the domestic segment and weekly/bi-weekly flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat (Oman), Doha (Qatar) and Bahrain in the international segment.

Popular festivals in the city are Dussera, Diwali, Christmas, Maha Shivratri, Easter, Navratri, Good Friday, Eid, Moharram, and Mahavir Jayanti. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year by erecting statues, worshipping them and immersing them in water bodies. Kodial Theru or Mangaluru Rathotsava (Mangalore Car Festival) is one of the major festivals of the GSB community, which celebrates the car festival of the Sri Venkatramana Temple. Monti Fest is one of the major festivals of the Catholic community, celebrating the Nativity feast and the blessing of new crops. The Jain Milan, a committee comprising of the Jain families of Mangalore, organise the Jain Food Festival annually with a view to bring together all the members of the Jain community.

A resident of Mangalore is known as a Mangalorean in English, Kudladaru in Tulu, Kodialgharano in Catholic Konkani, Kodialchi or Manglurchi in GSB Konkani and Manglurnavaru in Kannada. The Yakshagana is a night-long dance and drama performance practiced in Mangalore with great fanfare. Hulivesha (Tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in the city fascinating the young and the old alike, which is performed during Dasara and Krishna Janmashtami. Paddanas (Oral Epics) which are ballad-like folk epics narrated in Tulu are sung by the community of impersonators together with the rhythmic beats. Some of the popular Beary songs are kolkai (sung during the play of kolata), unjal pat (sung while putting a child to cradle), moilanji pat and oppune pat (sung at weddings).

Kadri Manjunath Temple: Kadri is another ancient historic spot in Mangalore. The Kadri Temple dating back to about 1068 A.D. with its nine tanks, its square temple, nestling at the foot of the highest hill, draws to Mangalore hundreds of visitors annually. St. Aloysius Church: It is situated 1 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus stand. The walls of the church are covered with the paintings of the artist Antony Moshaini of Italy. The Church was built in the year 1899-1900. St. Aloysius Church: It is situated 1 Km. away from Nehru Maidan Bus stand. The walls of the church are covered with the paintings of the artist Antony Moshaini of Italy. The Church was built in the year 1899-1900.

If you're looking for that perfect night out with friends over a couple of beers or vodka, you can either buy your liquor from the many wine shops.

Dharmastala: There are a number of Jain bastis (temples) in Dharmastala, 75 kms east of Mangalore, including the famous Manjunatha Temple. You'll also find a 14m high statue of Bahubali, which was erected in 1973. Venur This town, approximately 50 kms north-east of Mangalore has eight bastis and the ruins of a Mahadeva temple. An 11m high Bahubali statue, dating back to 1604, stands on the southern bank of Gurupur River. Mudabidri: There are 18 bastis in Mudabidri, 35 kms north-east of Mangalore. The oldest of them is the 15th century Chadranatha Temple, known colloquially as the 1000-pillar hall. Karkala: Karkala is 52 kms north-east. The 452 ft tall monolithic statue of Bahubali and the St. Lawrence Church are the main attraction here. Udipi: (58 kms) The town is sacred to the devotees of Lord Krishna and where the Saint Madhwacharya lived and preached 700 years ago. This town has the famous Krishna Temple with the Gold Chariot. The famous Massala Dosai has its origin here. About 5 kms from Udipi at Manipal, there are several professional college of which Kasturba Medical College is the most outstanding institution.

Famous for gold and coral jewellery. One of the big draws of Mang alore is gold jewellery. The artisans here have magic in their fingers and create fantasies in mostly ethnic and traditional designs. Coral jewellery is a specialty, just as pearls are claimed by Hyderabad. Jewellery is worn at almost every occasion, marriages, festivals, visits to the temples (see section on temples, Mangalore has more than its fair share of them), visits to the market, all the time ... Most married ladies at the market would have diamond ear-tops with traditionally at least seven diamonds in each. Quite glittery.

For the seafood lovers, Mangalore has many options. Mangalore style fish fry with fish curry rice. Other joints, such as Anupama (Bunts Hostel), Maharaja (near Jyoti), Kings Court (highway near Kottara Chowki), Madhuvan Village (Yeyyadi), Phalki (Jyothi circle) also provide Mangalore style seafood. Try such dishes as Kane Rava fry, Anjal Masala fry and Manji Masala fry.

Seemanthi Bai Government Museum: It is situated in Bejai 4 Km. away from Nehru Maidan city Bus Stand. One can see the idols, materials of historical importance here. Mahatma Gandhi Museum: The collection in the museum includes zoology, anthropology, sculpture, art, coins and manuscripts. It is situated in Canara High School is open from 9.30 to 12.30pm and 2 to 5.30pm.

Light House Hill-Garden: It is situated 1 Km. away from Bus Stand. One can see the beautiful sea view, sunset view and also the sailing ships and boats on the sea. Now the renovated garden looks more beautiful.

Malpe Beach: Malpe Beach (66 kms) north of Mangalore. The pristine beauty complemented by peaceful surroundings, make this beach a favourite holiday spot. The St. Mary's Island, another delightful holiday hangout, is just a boat ride away.

Cashew, Coconut, Jackfruit, Papaya, Sapotilla (Chikku)are the seasonal fruits of the Manglore.

Clothing requirements are simple as you never experience harsh weather in Mangalore. Bring along cotton apparels for the summers and light woolens for winters. Beachwear is recommended for those planning to spend a day in the sun.

Vishal Travels Milagres Building, Hampankatta, Mangalore- 575001 Phone: 0824-2423917 Varsha Travels Jeevan Complex, Konchady, Mangalore- 575008 Phone: 0824-2481111

Vijaya Bank ATM: A bank release said on Monday that Mr G.V.K. Shetty, Head, Mangalore Region, inaugurated an on-site ATM attached to Kankanady branch in Mangalore. Canara Bank: The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, Dr H.V. Parswanath, inaugurated the eighth ATM of Canara Bank in Mangalore.

There are a lot of temples and churches to visit, or if that doesn't interest you, relaxing at the beach is a good idea. For the adventurous, the western ghats near Mangalore provide an ideal location to get lost in the dense jungles. Pilikula nisarga dhama is about 12 km from city and is a tourist spot with "manasa" water theme park, mini zoo, boating, science centre, arboretum,golf course etc., all in one place.