Kannada Koota -Dakshina Kannada

Dakshina Kannada (earlier known as South Kanara, or South Canara), is a coastal Karnataka district in the state of Karnataka in India. Before 1860, Dakshina Kannada was part of a district called Kanara, which was under a single administration in the Madras Presidency In 1860, the British split the area into South Kanara and North Kanara, the former being retained in the Madras Presidency, while the later was made a part of Bombay Province in 1862. With an important port, this once 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.

Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka India

	Dakshina Kannada
Subdistricts	Mangalore, Bantwal, Belthangadi, Puttur, Sullia
Headquarters	Mangalore
Population	1,897,730 (2001)
Density	390 /km² (1,010 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area	4,866 km² (1,879 sq mi)
Code	575001 to 575030 Telephone +91824 Vehicle KA-19
Website	http://www.dk.nic.in/

General Profile

Number of Taluk Panchayats

Geography:The district's geopraphy consists of sea shore in the west and western ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi,Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi and Pavanje which all join Arabian sea. Teak, Karmara( Ebony ),Wild Jack,Bhogi and many other native trees have disappeared from many areas of Dakshina Kannada district. Languages:Tulu is mother tongue of majority of people living in Dakshina Kannada district. Kannada ( Kanarese ), Beary bashe (of Muslims) and Konkani are spoken by a substantial number of people as mother tongue. The district is famous for red clay roof tiles (Mangalore tiles), cashew nut & its products, banking, education (professional and non professional) and of course for its exotic cuisine.

Tourism
Manjunatha Temple ,Kukke Subrahmanya Temple,Pilikula Nisargadhama, Karinje,Venoor - Gommateshwara and St. Aloysius Church
Manjunatha Temple: is a prominent Shaivaite Center, that has Madhwa Vaishnavaite priests and is administered by a hereditary Jain family, the Heggades. Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple:Nestled between hills, this pilgrim center, 104 Kms. from Mangalore is famous for the temple of Kukke Sri Subrahmanya. Pilikula Nisargadhama:Located at Mudushedde, just 10 Kms from Mangalore, Pilikula Nisargadhama is an integrated nature park that will offer a delightful variety of attractions to the eco-tourist and nature lovers. Panambur Beach:10 Kms from Mangalore, to the left of the harbour and about 1Km fro NH.17 A good place for a short picnic. Karinje: famous ancient temple of lord Shive Parvati on a huge rock. Venoor - Gommateshwara : The chief objects of interest here are the colossal Monolithic statue of Gommata of 38ft in height and a few basadis. This staute sculpted by Janakacharya was set up in 1604 AD by Veera Thimanna Ajila IV. St. Aloysius Church:Situated just 1 Kms from the heart of the city. The walls and ceilings of the church are covered by paintings of Antonio Moscheni of Italy. The church was built in the year1899-1900.

Cultures and Tradition :
The people of Dakshina Kannada worship the serpent god ( Subramanya ). According to legend, the district was reclaimed by Parashurama from the sea. Worship of spirits is prevalent in these areas. Rituals like Bhuta Kola are done to satisfy the spirits. Kambla, a form of buffalo race on muddy track in the paddy field, is organised. Cock fight ( Kori Katta in Tulu) is another pastime of rural agarian people, but unfortunately has turned in to gambling. The Yakshagana is a night-long dance and drama performance practiced in Tulu Nadu with great fanfare. Piliyesa (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. Karadi Vesha (Bear Dance) is one more popular dance performed during Dasara.