Sheltered by the soaring Western Ghats on the east and bordered by the blue waters of the Arabian Sea on the west, Dakshina Kannada is blessed with abundant rainfall, fertile soil and lush vegetation. Pristine beaches, picturesque mountain ranges, temples and a rich culture make it a sought after tourist destination. Dakshina Kannada is well known for Yakshagana- a fabulous costumed dance drama form, Kambala- the sport of buffalo racing by farmers, Kori-katta(Cock Fight) and Bootha Kola (Spirit worship).
Located 347 Kms. from Bengaluru on the coast, Mangaluru, the district head quarters of Dakshina Kannada, has been a trading centre for several centuries. It was, since the early period of the Christian era till the end of the 14th century, the capital of the Alup Rulers. From the 14th to the 16th centuries the area came under the governance of the Vijayanagar dynasty. But the strongest influence was that of the Portuguese, who arrived on the coast in the 15th century. They opened a factory for trade and brought with them the Roman Catholic religion too. Conquered by Haider Ali in 1763, Mangaluru became the chief port of Mysore. When Tipu Sultan’s Fort fell in 1799 to the British, they made it the district headquarters of Kanara. With an important port, this coastal town, has become a bustling commercial centre. Yet it preserves its old world charm, with its narrow winding streets, fringed with coconut palms, quaint houses with terracotta tiled roofs, temples and churches.