Dakshina Kannada

The Alupas (ಅಲುಪಾಸ್) ruled the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada region between the 8th and 14th century CE.[3] Before 1860, Dakshina Kannada was part of a district called Kanara, which was under a single administration in the Madras Presidency.[4] In 1860, the British split the area into South Kanara and North Kanara, the former being retained in the Madras Presidency, while the latter was made a part of Bombay Presidency in 1862.[5] Kundapur Taluk was earlier included in North Kanara but was later re-included in South Kanara.[6]

During the Reorganisation of States in 1956, Kasaragod was split and transferred to the newly created Kerala state and Dakshina Kannada was transferred to Mysore State (present day Karnataka).[7]

South Canara was a district under the British empire which included the present Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragod districts and Aminidivi islands.[8][9] Canara district was bifurcated in 1859 to form North Canara and South Canara.[10] Dakshina Kannada became a district of Mysore State in 1956 which later was renamed Karnataka in 1973.[11] Kasaragod became a district of Kerala during the Re-organization of States and Aminidivi islands later became a part of Lakshadweep.[12] The Udupi district was formed from the northern taluks of Dakshina Kannada in 1997.[13] Later, the Karnataka Government, for the purpose of administration, split the greater Dakshina Kannada district into Udupi and present day Dakshina Kannada districts on 15 August 1997.[14] Three taluks of the former district – Udupi, Karkala and Kundapura – formed the new Udupi district.[15]

According to the 2011 census Dakshina Kannada has a population of 2,089,649, of which male and female were 1,034,714 and 1,054,935 respectively.[2] roughly equal to the nation of Macedonia[16] or the US state of New Mexico.[17] This gives it a ranking of 220th in India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district has a population density of 457 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,180/sq mi).[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 9.8%.[2] Dakshina Kannada has a sex ratio of 1018 females for every 1000 males[2] and a literacy rate of 88.62%. The literacy rate of Mangalore city is 94%.[2] According to the 2011 Indian Census, the district ranks second in per capita income,[18] second in HDI,[19] first in literacy[20] and third in sex ratio among all districts in Karnataka.[21]

Tuluvas, distributed among the Billava, Mogaveera, Bunt, Kulala, Tulu Gowda and Devadiga communities, are the largest ethnic group in the district.[22] The Konkani people, Brahmins, Holeyas, the hill-tribes (Koragas), Muslims, Mangalorean Catholics and Arebhashe Gowdas comprise rest of the population.[23] The Brahmins belong chiefly to the Shivalli, Saraswat, Havyaka, Chitpavan, Daivadnya and Kota sub-sections.[24] The major languages spoken in Dakshina Kannada are Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, Are Bhashe, Deccani Urdu, Beary Bhashe, Havyaka and Malayalam.[25]

• 
  Western Ghats in Shirlalu village of Belthangady taluk
• 
  Hilly region - Sullia Town
• 
  Coastal plain - Tannirbhavi Beach

The district geography consists of seashore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The soil is mostly lateritic type, characterised by high iron and aluminium content.[27]

The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Gurupura (Phalguni), Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini; all join the Arabian sea.[28] At Uppinangadi, the Netravathi and Kumaradhara rivers rise during the monsoon and meet. This event is called "Sangam", which in Sanskrit means confluence.[29] Near Mangalore, an estuary is formed by the union of the rivers Netravathi and the Gurupura which merge into the Arabian Sea.[30]

The topography of the district is plain up to 30 km (18.64 mi) inside the coast and changes to undulating hilly terrain sharply towards the east in the Western Ghats.[31] Teak, bamboo and rosewood trees are found in the hilly areas towards the east.[32] The Geological Survey of India has identified this district as a moderately earthquake-prone region and categorised it in the Seismic III Zone.[33] In rural Dakshina Kannada, houses are in the midst of a farm field or plantations of coconut or arecanut, separated by a few hundred metres.[34]

Shirlalu village (in the Kudremukh range of Belthangady taluk[35]), with a maximum elevation of 1,115 m (3,658 ft), is the highest point in Dakshina Kannada.[36][37]

NITK Surathkal

Swami Vivekananda Planetarium at Pilikula in Mangalore, is the first and only 3D Planetarium in India

St Aloysius College, Mangalore

In Dakshina Kannada, primary and secondary education have reached every section of the society.[43][44] A host of educational institutes offering courses in Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Nursing, Hotel and Catering, Law and Management are in this district.[45]

Dakshina Kannada is home to the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK) Surathkal, one of India's top engineering colleges.[46] The College of Fisheries is located at Yekkur near Kankanady.[47][48] Mangalore University is a public university in Konaje near Mangalore.[49] It has jurisdiction over the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu.[50]

The district is home to research institutes such as the Directorate of Cashew Research at Puttur.[51] The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute is in Vitla in the Bantwal taluk.[52]

The engineering colleges in the district include St. Joseph Engineering College, KVG College of Engineering, Mangalore Institute of Technology & Engineering, Canara Engineering College, P A College of Engineering, Srinivas Institute of Technology, Srinivas School of Engineering, Vivekananda College of Engineering & Technology, Shree Devi Institute of Technology, Alvas Institute of Engineering & Technology, Karavali Institute of Technology, Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management, Yenepoya Institute of Technology, A J Institute of Engineering and Technology,[53] SDM Institute of Technology, Bearys Institute of Technology and Prasanna College of Engineering & Technology.[54]

The medical colleges in the district include A J Institute of Medical Science, Father Muller Medical College, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Kasturba Medical College, Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Yenepoya Medical College & Research Institute and KVG Medical College. Manipal College of Dental Sciences Mangalore, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, A J Institute of Dental Sciences, Yenepoya Dental College & Research Institute and Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences are some of the dental colleges.[55]

Traditional house in Puttur

Yakshagana artists

Most people of this district follow traditions, customs and rituals.[24] The district has many temples of Hindu gods and goddesses, which are ancient and have deep spiritualism attached to them. The people of Dakshina Kannada worship the Serpent God Subramanya.[56] According to legend, the district was reclaimed by Parashurama from the sea.[57] Nagaradhane or snake worship is practiced according to the popular belief of the Naga Devatha to go underground and guard the species on the top.[58] Rituals such as Bhuta Kola are performed to satisfy the spirits. Kambala, a form of buffalo race on muddy track in the paddy field is organised in 16 sites across the district.[59] Cock fight (Kori Katta in Tulu) is another pastime of the rural agrarian people.[60]

Yakshagana is the popular folk art of this district.[61] The Yakshagana is a night-long dance and drama performance practiced in Tulu Nadu with great fanfare.[62][63] Pilivesha (literally, tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in the region fascinating the young and the old alike, which is performed during Dasara and Krishna Janmashtami.[64] Karadi Vesha (literally, bear dance) is another popular dance performed during Dasara.[65][66] The people of Dakshina Kannada also celebrate traditional Hindu festivals like Bisu, Yugadi (Ugadi), Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Navaratri (Dasara), Deepavali, Aati Hunime, etc.[67][68]

Jet Airways at the Mangalore International Airport

Bus services in this district are run by private players namely Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators' Association (DKBOA)[69] and the state-run KSRTC.[70] The district had public limited (public listed) companies running transport business even before the independence of India in 1947.[71]

The district has five national highways connecting parts of Karnataka and India. NH-66 connects the district with Udupi, Karwar, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.[72] NH-169 connects Shimoga with Dakshina Kannada.[73] NH-75 connects the district with Vellore, Kolar, Bangalore, Kunigal, Hassan and Sakleshpur.[74] The NH-73 connects Mangalore to Tumkur via Charmadi, Mudigere, Belur and Tiptur. Major ghat sections in Dakshina Kannada include Shiradi Ghat (Nelyadi to Sakleshpura), Charmadi Ghat (Charmadi to Kottigehara), Sampaje Ghat (Sampaje to Madikeri) and Bisle Ghat (Subramanya to Sakleshpura, popularly known as Green Route by trekkers).[75] NH-275 also connects Mangalore with Bangalore via Mysore.[76] It starts at Bantwal near Mangalore city and passes through Puttur, Madikeri, Hunsur, Mysore, Mandya and Channapatna.[77] It ends at Bangalore spanning a length of 378 kilometres (235 mi).[78]

In 1907, the Southern Railway connected Mangalore with Calicut (Kozhikode) along the coastline.[79] This railway line helped connect the district with other places of the Madras presidency during the colonial rule.[80] The Konkan Railway (1998) connects Dakshina Kannada with Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan and Kerala by train.[81] There are direct trains from Mangalore to Mumbai, Thane, Chennai, Margao and Trivandrum.[82] Train services operate daily to Bangalore via Hassan and Kukke Subramanya after the conversion from metre gauge to broad gauge track.[83]

The Dakshina Kannada district has a seaport at Panambur named New Mangalore Port. The seaport managed by New Mangalore Port Trust handles cargo, timber, petroleum and coffee exports.[84] It is one of the major seaports of India.[85]

The district is connected by air through the Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe. Airlines such as Air India, SpiceJet and IndiGo offer daily flights to national and international destinations near the Persian Gulf.[86]

• 
  Sri Manjunatha Temple at Dharmasthala
• 
  Kukke Subramanya Temple
• 
  Shree Durgaparameshwari Temple Kateel
• 
  Kudroli Temple in Mangalore
• 
  Mangaladevi Temple

The following are historic places to visit in Dakshina Kannada:[28][87]

• Mangaladevi Temple: Mangalore was named after the Hindu deity Mangaladevi.
• Venur: Monolithic Bahubali statue.
• Kadri: Temple of Lord Sri Manjunatha.
• Shree Amrutheshwara Temple, Vamanjoor: Temple of Lord Shiva.
• Moodabidri: Site of the ancient Jain temples and the Bhattaraka seat.
• Krishnapura matha: One of the matha (monastery) belonging to ashta matha of Udupi.
• Dharmasthala: The temple of Lord Sri Manjunatheshwara is here.
• Kateel: Temple of Goddess Sri Durga Parameshwari.
• Kadeshivalaya: Kadeshivalaya temple at Bantwal
• Kudroli: Gokarnanatheshwars Temple.
• Mundkur: Sri Durga Parameshwari Temple.
• Karinjeshwara Temple: Temple of Lord Shiva Parvati on a huge rock.
• Ullal: Known for the Ullal beach and Someshwara beach.[88]
• Kukke Subramanya: Temple of the serpent Lord Subramanya is here.
• Mulki: Durgaparameshwari Temple.
• St Aloysius Chapel, Mangalore.[88]
• Milagres Church, Mangalore[88]
• Sayyed Madani Mosque and Dargah, Ullal.[88]
• Sultan Battery, Mangalore[88]
• Puttur: Temple of Lord Sri Mahalingeshwara is here.
• Uppinangadi: Sahasralingeshwara temple.
• Kepu, Ananthadi, Balnadu: Known for goddess Ullalthi temple and its unique heritage.[88]
• Puttur karavadtha valiyullahi darga shareef
• Somanatheswar Temple: Someshwara, Ullal.
• Summer Sand Beach Resort at Ullal.[88]
• Pilikula Nisargadhama: Pilikula, Moodushedde, Mangalore.[89]
• Kudupu temple: Kudupu, Mangalore.[88]
• Shri Rajarajeshwari Temple Polali: Temple of Shri Rajarajeshwari.[90]
• Kumbladi Balasubrahmanya.[88]
• Charvaka Kapileshwara Devasthaana.[88]
• Shri Kshetra Daipila.[88]
• Masjidu Thaqwa Pumpwell Mangalore.[91]
• Bellye Palli (Big Masjid) Bunder Mangalore.[88]
• Manjusha Car Museum, Dharmastala
• Srimanthi Bhai Memorial Government Museum

Paddy cultivation in Dakshina Kannada

Arecanut plantation of rural Dakshina Kannada

Agriculture, which was once a major occupation of the people of Dakshina Kannada, has taken a backseat because of the influx of money from natives settled in other cities, states and countries.[92] Significant number of people from this district work in the Gulf (Middle East) countries and other states of India.[93] Farms and fields have been converted into residential plots and commercial (shopping) complexes around Mangalore city.[94] Horticulture, though, has made some strides, and measures have been taken to improve the fruit plantation sector.[95] The main crops of Dakshina Kannada are Paddy, Coconut, Arecanut, Black Pepper, Cashew and Cocoa. Rice is generally cultivated three seasons in a year, Karthika or Yenel (May–October), Suggi (October to January) and Kolake (January to April).[96] Urad (Black gram) is grown in some areas during the season of Suggi.[97] The Karnataka Milk Federation has a milk processing plant at Kulshekar in Mangalore. This plant processes milk procured from the cattle owned by farmers of the district.[92]

Malpuri, a sweet from Dakshina Kannada

Some of the well known Tuluva community dishes in this district include Kori Rotti (dry rice flakes dipped in chicken gravy), Bangude Pulimunchi (spicy sour silver-grey mackerels), Beeja-Manoli Upkari, Neer dosa, Boothai Gasi and Kadubu.[98] In Coastal Karnataka, the Mangalorean Fish Curry is a popular dish.[99] The Konkani community's specialties include Daali thoy, Bibbe-upkari (cashew based), Val val, Avnas ambe sasam, Kadgi chakko, Paagila podi, Malpuri, Patrode and Chane gashi.[100] Mangalore bajji, also known as Golibaje, is a popular snack made from maida, curd, rice flour, chopped onion, coriander leaves, coconut, cumin, green chillies, and salt.[101] Tulu vegetarian cuisine in Mangalore, also known as Udupi cuisine, is known and liked throughout the state and the coastal region.[102] Being a coastal district, fish forms the staple diet of most people.[103] Mangalorean Catholics' Sanna-Dukra Maas ("Sanna" means Idli fluffed with toddy or yeast and "Dukra Maas" means Pork), Pork Bafat, Sorpotel and the Mutton Biryani of the Muslims are well-known dishes.[104][105] Pickles such as Happala, Sandige and Puli munchi are unique to Mangalore.[106]

Vijaya Bank Founders Branch in Mangalore city

Campco office at Puttur

Fishermen at Sasihitlu in Dakshina Kannada

The district along with Udupi district is known as "The Cradle of Indian banking".[107] Major nationalised banks of India such as Canara Bank, Corporation Bank, Syndicate Bank, Vijaya Bank and private sector Karnataka Bank evolved from these two districts.[108]

Red clay tiles (Mangalore Tiles), Cashew processing factories and Beedi industry once flourished in this district.[109]

Dakshina Kannada district has a per capita income of Rs. 218,580 which is second only to Bangalore Urban district.[110][111] Despite ranking 8th in the list of most populous districts in Karnataka, the district is the second largest contributor to the state's GSDP, with a contribution of 5.8%.[110] In other words, despite a low population share of 3.4%, the district's share in state GSDP stands at 5.8%.[110]

As the district is on the shore of the Arabian sea, fishing is one of the major occupation of many people.[112] The major fishing places are Bunder (Old harbour),[113] Panambur, Surathkal, Kotekar and Sasihitlu.

The major industries in Dakshina Kannada concentrated around Mangalore are Mangalore Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd. (MCF), Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL),[114] The Canara Workshops Limited (manufacturers of Canara Springs), Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL), HPCL, BPCL,[115] BASF, TOTAL GAZ, Bharati Shipyard Limited (BSL) etc.[116] There is a chocolate manufacturing plant at Puttur run by CAMPCO.[117] Major information technology and outsourcing companies have their facilities in Mangalore namely Infosys, Cognizant, Atlantic Data Bureau Services Pvt. Ltd., Lasersoft infosystems Ltd., Mphasis BPO and Endurance International Group.[118] Two IT parks have been constructed, one Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) at Ganjimutt and a second IT SEZ near Mangalore University.[119] The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plans to set up a multiproduct SEZ (Special Economic Zone) with an investment of over Rs. 350 billion.[120]

• Mangalore
• Economy of Mangalore
• Swami Vivekananda Planetarium
• U S Mallya Indoor Stadium
• Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environment Management Project (KUDCEMP)
• Centre for Entrepreneurship Opportunities and Learning (CEOL)
• South Kanara District Chess Association (SKDCA)
• Puttur
• Sullia
• Bantwal
• Belthangady
• Kakkinje
• Moodabidri
• Dharmasthala

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• Official web site* DK Zilla Parishad