Mangalore is a city that provides a fusion of ancient elegance with a contemporary lure to the masses. It is a city that is on the precipice of bursting into a flourishing city. Its outlying beaches and coastal delicacies make it a prominent site for tourists to explore in Karnataka.

One of the oldest and first built churches located in the Roman Catholic Diocese in Mangalore was the Rosario Cathedral, also commonly named Our Lady of Rosary.

Upon settling in Mangalore, the first church built by the Portuguese was the Rosario Cathedral. It was the first church built for Roman Catholics and also the only church built exclusively for upper-class Mangalorean Catholics.

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Rosario Cathedral: An Overview

Built by the Portuguese around 450 years ago, in the year 1568, The Lady of Rosary is the first and most eminent Roman Catholic Cathedral in the Canara region. Historically, the church was only restricted to the upper caste Mangalorean Catholics.

In 1784, the building of the church was completely destroyed by Tipu Sultan of the Mysorean dynasty. However, the work to rebuild the church resumed in 1318, and later, in the year 1910, the construction of this oldest church in Mangalore was completed, with new design and architecture.

How to reach Rosario Cathedral

By Air: Tourists can reach Rosario Church via a cab, car, or any public transportation from the nearest airport, i.e., the Mangalore Airport.

By Train: Mangalore Railway station is the closest station to this famous church in Mangalore, where all main trains are scheduled to stop. Travelers can utilize the service of cab, car, or public transportation to get to the church.

By Road: All main cities of India are easily accessible to Mangalore city through roadways. Tourists can conveniently travel to the cathedral via means like cars and public buses.

Best Time To Visit The City

Months of October and February are the suitable time to travel to the city of Mangalore, and as it is the peak time, a small crowd could also be expected in the city. Mangalore has quite moderate weather between the months of June, July, August, and September.

The climate in July in Mangalore city is pleasant and an ideal time for traveling. Also, as the temperature ranges from 23 to 29 degrees Celsius in July, it is favorable to bring a jacket along with you, assuming the weather gets chilly at night. However, July is the best time to experience the tranquility and peacefulness of this city.

Places to visit nearby Rosario Cathedral, Mangalore

Discover the top tourist attractions and best places to visit in Mangalore, a remote region on the nation's west coast.

Ullal Beach

The serene beaches are one of the top tourist attractions in the city, which are ideal for relaxation and unwinding. Thanks to its sparkling clean waters and immaculate white sand, Ullal Beach is one of the best spots to visit for both the residents and tourists. Ullal Beach is worth visiting not merely for its exquisite scenery but also for the recreational activities and water sports it offers, which makes the time spent there more pleasant.

Srimanthi Bai Government Museum

The Bejai Museum, as it is also known, is the place where the city's archives of coins, an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, weapons, and artifacts of the British East Company are neatly displayed, which will make the trip there a great informative excursion. This renowned two-story museum is a dream come true for those who love history and is another top attraction to visit in Mangalore. This museum, located in the very center of the city, is open to all locals and tourists from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with an entry fee of INR 2 per person.

Kadri Hill Park

One of the largest and well-known parks the city of Mangalore has to offer to its locals and tourists is the Kadri Hill Park, which is located near Kadri Manjunath temple. It is one of the perfect spots for families to spend time on the weekends. In addition to the park, there is an animal sanctuary, and many other species can be found inside the park.

Someshwar Beach and Temple

The Arabian Sea serves as the picturesque background for the historic Someshwar Temple. This temple of God Shiva is perched on an enormous outcrop of rock, which is continuously lashed by the strong waves of the Arabian Sea. Someshwar temple was constructed by one of the first revolutionary leaders, Rani Abbakka Devi, who fought against the rule of the Portuguese in the coastal region.

Light-House Hill Garden

Amongst the best places to explore with family in Mangalore is Light House Hill Garden. It was built during the reign of ruler Haider Ali and offers people to view the magnificent surroundings from the top of this place. Besides basking in the sunlight, one can enjoy the refreshing breeze, the sound of the waves thrashing against the shoreline, and the sweet humming of birds from this place. Tourists and locals can access this enticing location for free from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sasihithlu Beach

Located in the near vicinity of Surathkal beach and Tannirbhavi beach is the magnificent Sasihithlu Beach, which is another one of the popular destinations of Mangalore. The sunset view, along with the calming sound of the waves, makes it the best place to rejuvenate your mind. This place is undoubtedly worth a visit to walk along the shore and is accessible between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Conclusion

The Church of Lady Rosary, which is one the oldest cathedrals of Goa, is now a UNESCO World Heritage. This church is situated in an easily accessible locality, where locals, as well as tourists, can hire a taxi, rickshaw, or even a cycle to visit there. In addition, there is no entrance fee to visit Our Lady of Rosary Church in Goa. There is a spectacular view of Mandovi River and Divar Island as well. However, they are usually locked down due to a number of reasons, prohibiting tourists from visiting.