MANGALORE–THE CITY NAME

The name ‘Mangalore’ is the anglicised version of ‘Mangaluru’, the name for the city in the local Kannada language. The Malayalam language variant of the same is ‘Mangalapuram’. One of the earliest references to this name is made by Pandya King Chettian, who called the city as ‘Managalapuram’ in 715 AD. Yet another historical reference is by the 11th century Arabian traveler Ibn Batuta, whose chronicles refer to Mangalore as ‘Manjarur’. This variation in spelling is attributed to the pronunciation gap between and Arabic and the local language.

It is believed that the city derived its name from the temple of Goddess Mangaladevi. ‘Mangaluru’ literally means ‘the city of Mangala’. According to legend Matsyendranatha, one of the important propounders of the Nath cult had arrived at Mangalore with the princess of Kerala, Premaladevi. He named her Mangaladevi. It is believed that they could not proceed further as Mangaladevi died after a brief period of illness and a temple was consecrated in her name at Bolar. Later the Mangaladevi was renovated by the Alupa king Kundavarma in 968 AD.

In the native Tulu language, the city is known as ‘Kudla’ meaning ‘junction’ as the city is situated at the confluence of the two rivers – Netharavathi and Phalguni. The Konkani language variant of this ‘Kodial’. The region covering Mangalore is known locally as ‘Tulunadu’, on account of the predominance of Tulu language.

Yet another name for the city is ‘Mikala’, which is the name used by the Muslims of the nearby towns of Manjeshwar and Kasargod to refer to Mangalore. ‘Mikala’, in their language means ‘wood charcoal’ and this is attributed to the earlier practice of producing charcoal from wood on the banks of the river Nethravathi.

Mangalore City is having several places of religious/tourist importance, a few of which could be named as Mangala Devi Temple (city being named by this temple), Kadri Manjunatheswara Temple, Kudroli Gokarnatheshwara Temple, Venkataraman Temple at Carstreet, Ganapathi Temple at Hampankatta, Shreemanthi Bai Memorial Musium at Bejai., Pelikula Nisargdhama, Vamanjoor, Panambur and Surathkal Beach, Tagore Park at light house Hill, Kadri park, St. Aloysius Chapel, Rosario Church, , Milagreese Church, Jumma Masjid Bundar, Idgah Masjid at Lighthousehill, Sulthan Batheri, New Mangalore Port at Panamboor, etc. There is ample scope for tourist Development project.

The major industries in Mangalore are Mangalore Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd. Kudhuremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. Mangalore Refinary and Petrochemicals Ltd etc. Mangalore Tiles are famous in all over world since ancient time. Beedi rolling industry is also famous in Mangalore.

Major Banks of the India are originated from this town. It is also famous for educational institutions.