The entire economy on the coasts seems to run because of temples! You can find a temple in every village, equally old and impressive. While it is impossible to cover all the temples in the region, we will highlight a few popular ones and what stands out so that you can make a conscious decision which ones to visit. If you visit many, you get templed out and might forget which one had which deity
Every temple has some form of a annual festival where flag is hoisted, chariot is pulled in honor of the deity and devotees are offered prasadam
Udupi Sri Krishna matha
Established by Madhvacharya in 13th century, you can see Lord Krishna in black stone. There are 8 mathas which take turns every 2 years for worship and running the temple. Famous for its food, ensure you have lunch prasadam in Bhojanashala. You can see Navarathna or chariot made of nine colored gems inside a room near Anantheshwara temple beside the Krishna temple
Kolluru
Dedicated to Mookambika, amidst the western ghats on a mountain. The temple is close to Hulikal, near Kodachadri, an area where tigers are found!
Anegudde/ Kumbashi
Dedicated to Lord Ganapati. Take the moode prasadam here (like idli, but covered or Pandian leaves native to the region)
Kateel
Dedicated to Durgaparameshwari, on the banks of river Nandini, 20 km from Mangaluru airport. The temple is famous for its Yakshagama mela, a local dance-art form
Polali
Dedicated to Rajarajeshwari, on the banks of river Gurupura/ Phalguni. The large clay idol is unmissable and stands out from other temples. During the annual festival, Polali Chendu, various sporting activities like football are held
Mangaladevi
Temple that gave the name to Mangaluru
Dharmasthala
Surprisingly run by Jain Hegde family, dedicated to Lord Manjunatheshwara. There is a vintage car museum here
Horanadu
Dedicated to Annapoorneshwari devi, god of rice/food. The temple is famous for its lunch prasadam, where almost all devotees never go away without receiving the prasadam
Kukke Subramanya
Dedicated to Lord Kartikeya, on the banks of Kumaradhara river. People come here to fulfill rituals related to snake god. This place is known to be the one where Vasuki sought refuge from Garuda
Where to stay
Ayodhya/ Deepa comforts in Mangaluru, Kidiyoor Hotel/ Samanvay Hotel in Udupi are comfortable. You can also stay in one of the Mathas if you have local connects