Overview
Emplaced in the state of Karnataka and 7 km away from the city of Udupi , Manipal is universally famous as the University town that offers an enchanting view of the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. The pristine beauty and pleasant weather make it one of the most beautiful and bewitching places to visit in the state. Set in the rocky vicinity on the Malabar Coast of the southwest India, the city is a progressive industrial, educational and commercial centre and due to which tons of students visit here from all across the world to pursue various courses.
As per the history, Manipal is named after Mannu ( i.e. mud) and Palla which means Lake in Tulu language. Earlier, it was a coastal town and was the part of Shivalli Village Panchayat. But, everything got changed when the city was chosen by Dr. Tonse Madhava Anantha Pai in the year 1950 for establishing institutes for providing medical education to the students.
Interesting Realisms
- Manipal is well-famed as a home to several medical, engineering and dental colleges.
Popular Tourist Attractions & Places to See in Manipal
There are masses of tourist attractions that you can explore in Manipal. It is dotted with various interesting places that enthrall visitors from universal. Some of the major attractions of the University City include:
End Point: It's a beautiful centre of attraction for nature buffs, located at the top of a hill and looks out over the valley along with a resplendent view of the surroundings. You can get enchanted by the view of Swarna River flowing in the valley below the hill.
Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village: It's a literature and documentation centre or can say a museum, which was formerly the house of Vijayanath Shenoy. There are around eight museums that showcase the ancient culture and heritage of Manipal like conventional arts, paintings, crafts, etc. This village is a treasure trove of massive splendor where antique items are displayed in a unique architectural style.
Planetarium: After the Nehru Planetarium in Bangalore, it is considered to be the second planetarium in Karnataka which is sprawled over an area of 3000 sq. ft. Being the part of the Manipal Heritage Park, it was dedicated to Dr. T. M. A. Pai. The main aim of this planetarium is to raise the awareness about astronomy. This is the place from where one can stare at the stars in the daytime also.
Anatomy Museum: It's one of the biggest anatomy museums in India, which commenced in the year 1960 and the initiative was taken by a famous anatomist 'Dr. S.S. Godole'. Being a part of the Manipal University, it showcases various specimens of human anatomy.
Brindavan Garden and Sri Venu Gopalakrishna Temple - Other well known attractions of Manipal are Brindavan Garden and Sri Venu Gopalakrishna Temple, which stand opposite to each other. These are popular places in Manipal that throngs tons of visitors to view the beautiful architecture of the temple and the colorful fountains of water.
Where To Stay
Manipal has a number of options to stay, but it's wise to book the best one. Be it a five star hotel or a budget hotel in Manipal, you would undoubtedly get the excellent facilities and accommodation options in the city.
A few popular ones are:
- Fortune Inn Valley View
- Hotel Ashlesh
- Hotel Madhuvan Serai
- 7th Heaven Serviced Apartment
- Kulaya The Nest
- Satkar Paradise
- Parnakuti Homestay
- Home Royal International Manipal
Events and Festivals
There are some major festivals celebrated here with much éclat. It includes:
Pongal: It is the most awaited festival of Manipal, which is celebrated with great vim. During this festival, the localities dedicate the sweet dish of rice to the Sun God.
Ugadi: It is another famous festival of the city which is called as Gudi Padwa and Ugadi in Karnataka.
Other common festivals that are celebrated here are Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, etc.
Travel Information
By Air: The nearest airdrome is Mangalore International Airport, formerly known as Bajpe Airport (66.9 Km) which takes one and a half hour to reach Manipal. This airport is well connected with other major cities like Chennai, Delhi, Raipur, Bangalore, and many more.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is Udupi Railway Station, which is approx. 5 km away from Manipal.
By Road: Manipal is well connected to various cities by road like Brahmavar (16 Km), Someshwara (40 Km), Mangalore (61 Km), Srigeri (76 Km), Koppa (80 Km), Bhadravati (159 Km), Chikmagalur (175 Km), to name a few.
Best Time to Visit:
October to March is the best time to visit Manipal as the weather remains pleasant and one can enjoy the sightseeing tour in the city during these months.
