This city in south-west Karnataka, in India, is a large port with traditional homes characterised by a strong Catholic heritage. Major attractions nearby include temples, beaches and the stronghold of Lord Krishna in Udupi.

Between Goa and the famous backwaters of Kerala, the coast of the Sea of Oman has retained an innocence that makes it the charming place it still is. This is the unchanging face of maritime India, an area of traditional fishermen with a few towns still imbued with the atmosphere of their colonial past. Mangalore, which should not be confused with Bangalore, the capital of the State of Karnataka, is one such place, besieged by the Portuguese in 1526 and still home to a sizeable Catholic community.

Having made its fortune from maritime trade, the town remains an important centre for coffee and cashew nut exports and is home to some remarkably beautiful old houses with tiled roofs. Down at the water’s edge, the balletic movements of the fishing boats and their owners as they come back into port make a colourful spectacle that stretches back to the dawn of time. The south of Mangalore is a kingdom of beaches and coconut trees. Straight and unspoiled, the coastline extends as far as neighbouring Kerala and the towns of Kasaragod, Kannur and Tellichery. Other attractions close to Mangalore include the temple of Dharmasthala and the town of Udupi. An important pilgrimage destination, Dharmasthala and its many places of prayer are a fascinating centre of religious devotion. Udupi, meanwhile, is famous for its temple of Krishna and as the venue, every two years, for the Paryaya festival, dedicated to this unusual religious community.