Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kannada or South Canara is a district in the Karavali region of Karnataka.
Cities
Other destinations
Understand
Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) district was earlier known as South Canara or South Kanara (S.K.) district. It lies in the coastal region (Karavali) of Karnataka state, India. The D.K. district is area between Western ghats and Arabian sea. Mangaluru (Mangalore) is the district headquarters of Dakshina Kannada district. The district has some finest beaches along with dense evergreen jungles on the foot of Western ghats (Malenadu). Paddy fields, Coconut gardens, Arecanut plantations which once covered district has been fast replaced by Houses, Apartments,( High rise buildings) and Shopping Complexes. This degradation started tremendously in the beginning of 21st century. There is a petroleum crude refinery near Surathkal. The district is the birthplace of five major banks of India namely Canara bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Vijaya Bank (now merged with BOB) and Karnataka Bank .Tulu is the mother tongue of most natives in Dakshina Kannada district and widely spoken.
Get in
Dakshina Kannada district is connected by many means of transport. There is Mangalore International Airport which has daily flights from Bengaluru, Mumbai and from middle east countries.There is an all weather sea port at Panambur ( New Mangalore Port ). Dakshina Kannada district is connected by trains ( railway ) to Bengaluru via Hassan, Sakleshpura. It is connected to Kerala and Mumbai ( Maharashtra ) by Konkan railway route. The prominent railway stations of the district are Mangaluru City (MAQ), Mangaluru Junction ( MAJN ), Surathkal ( SL ), Mulki, Kabaka Puttur and Subramanya Road.
The district is connected by many roads, The national highways 66,73,75,169 and 275 pass through the district. There are many Karnataka state highways connecting to other districts of state like 70,101. Numerous district roads connects small towns and villages of D.K. district. Inland waterways ( river ways ) are rarely used these days.
Get around
By buses, taxis and autorickshaws (popularly known as "autos").
See
Beaches : Ullala, Someshwara, Taneerubavi, Panamburu, Sasihitlu, Surathkal.
Temples: Mangaladevi, Kadri Manjunatha, Gokarnatheshwara all at Mangaluru city, Dharmasthala Manjunatha, Kukke Subramanya, Kateelu Durga devi, Puttur Mahalingeshwara, Vitla Panchalingeshwara, Polali Raja Rajeshwari, Talapadi Durga Parameshwari, Iddya Mahalingeshwara, Surathkal Sadashiva, Thokur Subramanya, Kudipu, Krishnapura Matha, Krishnapura near Suratkal and many more.
Pilikula Nisargadhama : There is a Herbarium, Science centre, Lake, Zoo and Golf course at this place. There is a Guthu house which represents culture and tradition of Tulunadu.
Bhuta Kola which is worship of spirits.
Nagaradhane which is worship of serpent god.
Yakshagana which is traditional theatre art form of Dakshina Kannada district.
Basidi ( Temple ) of Jain in and around Moodabidri.
Do
If you are adventurous then you can try water sports, trekking spots on Western ghats are available at various places in the district.There are few waterfalls in the region.
Few of trekking places (Western ghat range peaks) are
- Kumara parvata (KP) with Kukke Subramanya as base.
- Gadaikallu (Jamalabad or Narasimha Gada) Beltangady town as base
- Amedikallu, Ettina Bhuja with Shishila village as base
- Ombattu Gudda.
Water falls which can be visited after rainy season are Bandaje waterfalls with Mundaje village as base, Ermayi waterfalls near Kajoor village, Kadamgundi waterfalls near Kajake village. Beltangady (Belthangadi) is the nearest town to all these waterfalls.
Eat
The district is famous for delicious vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The district offers variety matched by another. Try Golibajje, Patrode (colacasia), Kadubu (a type of idli), Pelakai Gatti or Gujje gatti (Jackfruit dumpling). Various fried snacks made from plantain, raw jackfruit, sweet potato, brinjal, ridge gourd, capsicum and green chilli.
Drink
Filter Coffee, Tender Coconut water, Juices of different fruits
Sleep
There are many hotels to stay in Dakshina Kannada district. The Mangaluru city has hotels to suit every one's budget. There are also decent accommodation available at Taluk headquarters namely Bantwal, Beltangadi, Mudabidre, Puttur and Sullia. There are also many guest houses at pilgrim centres of Dharmasthala and Kukke Subramanya. Few homestay options are available at villages near to tourist spots.
Stay safe
If you are driving yourself then drive carefully as most of the roads are not wide enough and have blind curves.Do not swim in the Arabian sea as most beaches in the Dakshina Kannada district have deep shore line. The waves and currents of the sea are very strong to drown or carry away human beings. Do not sit on the rocks near sea shore as high tide waves can pull you down.It is advisable not to got to sea shore or near to river during rainy seasons. While walking through jungles beware of venomous snakes and wild animals. Many areas of the district are prone to floods and water logging during monsoon. Roads can become muddy during rains.