The name Udupi is derived from the Tulu language, is associated with a temple at Malpe, devoted to Vadabhandeshwara. According to legend, due to a curse by King Daksha, his 27 daughters (the 27 stars, according to Hindu astrology) were married to the moon and the moon lost its shine. The moon prayed to Lord Shiva to get back its original shine. Lord Shiva was pleased with the moon's prayer and restored its shine.
Legend says that the moon and his wives made their prayer at the Chandramouleeshwara temple at Udupi, creating a linga that can be seen even today. According to this story, therefore, Udupi means the land of the "lord of the stars," the moon.
Udupi is known for the Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna). The Krishna Mutt was founded by the Shri Madhvacharya , a Vaishnavite saint in the 13th century. The Ashta Mathas (set of 8 religious organizations manage the temple administration, and the daily sevas. According to legned, the statue of Sri Krishna in the famous temple here is believed to have turned around to give darshana to the kuruba devotee, Kanakadasa , who was not allowed to enter the temple because Kanakadasa belonged to a different caste. Each of the Ashta Mathas performs temple management activities for two years on rotation.
During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the temple management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the temple during his Paryaya. These eight Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura. If one needs to learn the Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy, the Krishna Matha is the Gurukul for it. It is also famous for the Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.
Other Sightseeing
The main attraction is the Krishna Temple, Pajaka, Ananteshwar Temple, Chandramauleshwara temple. The actual feel of Udupi comes to visiting the famous Manipal, Kaup Beach, Malpe and Brahmavar.
Sri Ananthesvara Temple - In the middle of the temple square, one can find the Anantheswara Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple has very intricate carving in wood and stone, the Altar is the master piece of art.
Chandramauleshvara Temple - In the temple square near the market area is the Chandramouleshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva boasts of towering roof like a pyramid.
Madhava Sarovar - This is the holy tank or Kalyani where devotees take a dip before offering prayers to God.
Pajaka is the birth place of Saint Madhvacharya. This is the ancestral home of the Saint. Some memorabilia of the seer can be found here, like the huge banyan tree and the two stones he lifted and the pond from where he used to fetch water.
Manipal is very famous educational centre and the medical college. There is a small muesium showcasing artifacts collected by Mr. Vijaanath Shenoy.
Kaup Beach, the beautiful beach with a coast line of 12 kms is located in Southern Udupi. There is the 100 feet light house, a must see.
Malpe Beach is a port town, 6kms from Udupi is famous for its scenic beauty. This place attracts many tourists owing to the estuary of the Malpe river and St Marys Island. One can find magnificent rock formation. These rocks made of basalt are naturally formed.
Brahmavar named as the "settlement of Brahmins" is a town about 13 kms from the North of Udupi. This place is famous for the Mahalinga temple, Gopinatha temple , Janardhana shrine in the Agrahara. There is the oldest Holy Family Church which was established in the Aptil 01, 1934, and the Saint Mary's Syrian Church are located in Brahmavara.
Yellur Vishwanatha Temple
Yellur is a small village in Udupi district located at a distance of 25 Kms from Udupi and 4 kms from Uchchila on the national highway between Udupi and Mangalore. This village houses a temple which is believed to be over 1000 years.
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Udupi Facts
Bhuta Kola, Aati kalenja, Karangolu, and Nagaradhane are some of the cultural traditions of Udupi. Folk arts like Yakshagana are also popular. Rathabeedhi Geleyaru, a local non-profit organisation, was founded to encourage creative pursuits, especially those that keep alive the traditions of the region.
Tulu is the most widely spoken languages in Udupi. Other significant languages include Kannada, Konkani, Nawayath, Kundagannada (a dialect of Kannada spoken in Kundapur), and Beary bashe spoken by Bearys. Udupi was carved out as a independent district from the Dakshina Kannada district on 25 August 1997. Udupi, Kundapura and Karkala were bifurcated from the Dakshina Kannada District and the Udupi District was formed.
Over the years Udupi has transformed by various upcoming industries like the small-scale industries fish farming, cashews, banking and education.
2009 December addition to the Temple
Udupi Krishna Temple gets Navarathna Ratha for Lord Krishna. This magnificent chariot is designed traditionaly with more tahn 1 lakh gem stones. It is intricately carved with gold and moulded. The cost of making this ratha was 7 crores.
They have used all the 9 varieties of gemstones however, white and red stones are in a majority. Though many temples have silver and golden chariots,this is the first temple to have a Navarathna Ratha.
E-Seva for Udupi Krishna
Devotees can now make online offerings to the Lord. Paryaya seer Shri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt launched E- Seva facility through Corporation Bank. Devotees who hold debit or credit cards of any bank can also make offerings to the Lord.
This facility is also available on http://udupisrikrishnamutt.org/shop/demo.php
The Prasadam will be delivered by Post/Courier the devotees need to fill the details such as name, address, type of seva, day of seva. They must also note the receipt number. The prasadam will be delivered to the devotee on the address mentioned.
How to reach:
Distance: On NH17, 80kms from Mangalore, 415kms from Bangalore
Nearest Town: Udupi
Nearest Railway Station: Udupi
Nearest Airport: Mangalore Airport
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