Udupi

Udupi district was formed in 1997. It was separated from Dakshina Kannada district to form a new
district. Udupi district is located in the coastal region of Western Ghats about 60 km from Mangalore.

Udupi is a popular pilgrimage centre and tourist spot. Udupi is famous for the Lord Krishna temple
located here. Udupi is also world famous for its world class cuisine. Udupi's contribution to World is
'Masala Dosa'. Tulu, Konkani, Kannada and Beary languages are spoken here. Most of the hotel
owners in Karnataka are from Udupi.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN UDUPI

Sri Krishna Temple

The main temple in Udupi is dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple here has a fascinating idol of Lord
Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels. The reasons for its fame are the idol of Sri Krishna was
installed by the great saint Sri Madhvacharya. Famous Hindu saints such as Chaitanya, Purandaradasa
and Kanakadasa visited this temple for the darshan of Lord Krishna. Another attraction of Sri Krishna
Temple is the 'Kanakana Kindi' - a small window through which Lord Krishna is believed to have given
darshan to his devotee, Kanakadasa.

Anegudde
Anegudde is 30 km from Udupi and 9 km south of Kundapur. Ane means 'Elephant' and Gudde means
'hillock'. Anegudde is also referred by name Kumbashi. Anegudde is famous for Maha Ganapathi
temple. While the name Kumbhashi is said to be derived from Kumbhasura, who was slain here.
Anegudde is one of the seven places of pilgrimage created by Parashurama.
St. Lawrence Church, Attur
Attur is famous for St. Lawrence Church. The St. Lawrence Church has remarkably rich history. The
shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur - Karkala parish seems to have been in existence even before 1759
A.D. Annual feast held every year in the last week of January attracts lots thousands of devotees.

Ambalapady (3 km)
Ambalapady is situated just 3 km from Udupi. Ambalapadi is famous for 400 year old temple
Janardhana and Mahakali. The idol of Goddess Mahakali is 6 ft. The Mahakali temple also covers nine
beautiful statues of Navadurga. The Janardhana temple was renovated in stone in 1571.

Brahmavar
Brahmavar town is located between the Sita and Suvarna rivers which flow in the Western Ghats. As
they move toward the Arabian Sea, they create a picturesque backwater that offers boating facilities
to the tourists.

Barkur (16 km)
Barkur is about 16 km from Udupi. Barkur was the ancient capital of the Tulu kingdom. The attractions
of Barkur are ancient Panchalingeshwara temple, Bette Vinayaka temple, The Ganapathi Shrine of
Mudukeri. One can find the ruins of forts used by ancient kings.

Basrur (40 km)
Basrur is a beautiful village located at a distance of 5 Km from Kundapur in Udupi district. Basrur is
also popular for old temples. It houses many temples but Shree Mahatobar Mahalingeshwara Temple
is of historical importance.

Belmannu (28 km)
Belmannu is a small town located at a distance of 18 Km from Karkala in Udupi district. Belmannu lies
between Karkala and Padubidri. The place is known for famous Durga Parameshwari Temple.

Belkal Theertha (50 km)

Belkal Theertha is one of the wonderful waterfalls of Karnataka state. The Belkal Theertha is located in
the deep Western Ghats.
Guddattu
Guddattu Maha Ganapathi Temple is located about 15 km from Kundapur in Udupi district. The
Jaladhivasa Ganapathi (Vinayaka) Temple here is unique of its kind in India. This ancient temple is
situated on the foot of a huge rock, which looks like a sleeping elephant.

Hattiangadi
Hattiangadi, a village near Kundapur is famous for Sri Siddivinayaka temple of 8th century. It is
located in the northern bank of the river Varahi. The idol of sri Siddivinayaka is 2.5 ft high and is
carved of a Saligrama stone. Hattiangadi is about 8 kms to the northeast of Kundapur. This village is
famous for ancient temples and Basadis.

Hiriadka
Hiriadka or Hiriyadka is a small beautiful town located at a distance of 10 Km from Manipal in Udupi
district. Hiriadka has a famous Mahalingeshwara Temple. There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Raja
Rajeshwari in Anjarau near Hiriadka.

Hoovinakere (35 Km)
Hoovinakere is a small village and birth place of popular sage Vadiraja of Dwaitha Philosophy.
Hoovinakere is located at a distance of 5 Km from Kumbhashi in Kundapur Taluk.

Jomlu Theertha
Jomlu Theertha is a peaceful weekend getaway located on Brahmavar - Hebri Road in Udupi district.
Jomlu Theertha is a small water fall about 20 feet height created by River Sita.

Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple

Kadiyali is previously called as "Kade Halli" meaning the last village or the farthest village. The main
attraction of Kadiyali is ancient Mahisha Mardhini Temple, which has history of more than 1200 years.

Kallianpur (5 km)
Killianpur is about 5 km from Udupi. Kallianpur is situated on the southern bank of the river Swarna. It
has the ruins of a fort belonging to the Vijayanagara days. Temples of Kenchamma, Veerabhadra,
Mahalingeshwara and Ganapathi are famous here.

Kaup (12 km)
Kaup is a coastal village; it is about 12 km from Udupi on National Highway. Kaup is known for a
beach, ancient temples and an old 100ft high lighthouse. The two temples of Goddess Mariamma in
Kaup are famous. Kaup is located at a distance of 7 Km from Katapadi

Kamalashile
Kamalashile is about 44 km north-east of Udupi. Kamalashile is famous for its Brahmi-Durga
parameshwari temple and its annual car Festival held in April.

Karkala (35 km)
Karkala is about 35 km from udupi. The name Karkala has been derived from the Kannada word "kari
kallu", meaning black stones. Karkala is important pilgrim centre for Jains. 42 ft high monolithic statue
of Lord Gomateswara is main attraction of Karkala. It was installed in the year 1432. The Maha
Mastakabhisheka is held here once in 12 years. There are about 18 Jain Basadis here. The
Chaturmukha Basai is the important one.

Kollur (80 km)
Kollur is about 80 km from Udupi and 35 km from Kundapur in the picturesque Western Ghats. Kollur
is important seat of Shakti worship. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika. Jagadguru Adi
Shankaracharya installed the deity here. Kollur is believed to be one of the seven pilgrim centers
created by Parashurama.

Koteshwara
Koteshwara is about 4 km to the Kundapur. Koteshwara is a place of religious importance. The main
attraction of Koteshwara is Kotinatha or Kotilingeshwara temple. The other small shrines of
Koteshwara are Ganapati, Subramanya, Mahishasuramardini, Jyeshtha-Lakshmi, Gopalakrishna,
Saptamatrikas.

Kosalli Water falls

Kosalli Water falls near Byndoor, is a beautiful spot situated at the northern boundary of the district.

Malpe (6 km)
Malpe is about 6 km west of Udupi. Malpe is situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea along the banks
of river Udyavara. Malpe is important port and fishing centre. Malpe beach is main attraction along
with Balarama temple. Malpe has been a centre of commercial activities for a long time. In the west of
Malpe, there are three rocky islands.

Mandarthi (25 km)
Mandarthi is about 25 km north-east of Udupi and 35 km from Kundapur. Mandarthi is also one of the
important seat of Shakti worship. The famous Durga Parameshwari temple is main attraction of
Mandarthi.

Manipal (3 km)
Manipal is about 3 km from Udupi and it is a famous educational and medical centre. Manipal is a
center of academic learning, healthcare, industry and finance. Anatomy Museum, End Point, Hasta
Shilpa, Brindavan Garden and Venugopala temples are few attractions of Manipal.

Maranakatte
Maranakatte is located about 16 Km from Kundapura on the way towards Kollur. It is believed that
Goddess Mookambika performed a Marana homa after killing demon Mookasura at this place and
hence the name Maranakatte.

Maravanthe
Maravanthe is a beach located about 50 km from Udupi on National Highway. A stretch of a kilometer
of this highway is flanked by the seashore of Arabian sea on one side and the Sauparnika River on the
other. Turtle Bay Beach Resort is just 12 km away from Kundapur and half a kilometre away from
Trasi junction.

Mekekattu Nadhikeshwara Temple

Mekekattu Nadhikeshwara Temple is absolutely an historical location. Outstanding attraction of
Mekkekattu temple include a huge collection of colored, idols made of wood, many of that measure
around 10 feet in height.

Mundkur
Mundkur is a beautiful temple village located in Karkala taluk, Udupi district. The main attraction of
Mundkur village is a temple dedicated to Goddess Durga Parameshwari.

Neelavara
Neelavara is a beautiful place located at a distance of 18 Km from Udupi near Brahmavara in Udupi
district. Neelavara lies between Kunjal village in the south and River Sita in the north. This place is a
holy place for devotees worshiping Goddess Mahishamardini.

Padubidri
Padubidri is located about 25 km from Udupi and 35 km from Mangalore on National highway.
Padubidri is well known for temples and religious festival of Dakke Bali held here once in two years.
Dakke bali is held near the shore of Arabian Sea. The main attraction of Padubidri is Mahalingeshwara
Mahaganapathi Temple. It is believed that Bhrugu Maharshi installed the idol of Mahalingeshwara. The
idol of Lord Ganapathi is about 2.5 ft tall and has been carved out of Rudrakshi Shila.

Padu Tirupathi
Padu Tirupathi Sree Venkataramana shrine lies to the west of Tirupathi while original shrine is in the
east. The name itself indicates its meaning. Padu means 'West' in Kannada and Tirupathi means
Tirumala temple.

Pajaka
Pajaka is just 9 km from Udupi. Pajaka is birthplace of Dwaita philosopher Madhwacharya. The most
important place to see in Pajaka is ancestral home and birthplace of Sri Madhwacharya.
The Kunjarugiri Durga temple is also a charming place to visit. The temple is located on top of a hill.
This hill is also known as `Durga betta' and the hill offers some wonderful sceneries of Udupi. The 4
theerthas on 4 sides of the hill are Parasu Teertha, Dhanus Teertha, Gada Teertha and Bana Teertha.
It is believed that these theerthas are created by Lord Parashurama and all the sins will be washed out
after taking bath in these teerthas.

Perdur
Perdur is about 20 km east of Udupi. The attraction of Perdur is Lord Ananthapadmanabha Temple.
Perdur is also well known for Yakshagana, which is known locally as Perdur Mela.

Shankaranarayana
Shankaranarayana is located on the east of Kundapur. Shankara means Lord Shiva and Narayana
means Lord Vishnu. The main attraction of Shankaranarayana is Temple. The deity of the temple is in
the form of two Udbhava lingas that look similar. These naturally formed lingas are one feet below the
ground, inside the in the sanctum. The Shankara linga is round in shape and the Narayana Linga is
flat.
Saligrama
Saligrama is about 20 km east of Udupi. It is between Kundapur and Udupi. Guru Narasimha temple,
Hanuman temple and a religious and cultural centre are main attractions of Saligrama.

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary The main attraction of Someshwara town is Someshwara Wildlife
Sanctuary. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 5th June 1974.

St. Mary's Island

St. Mary's Island are a group of small islands in the Arabian Sea, lying a little to the north of the port
of Malpe in Udupi. When Vasco Da Gama landed here in 1498, he named one of these islands El
Padron de Santa Maria. St. Mary's Island is a famous picnic spot. The main attractions of these islands
are the basalt rocks which have crystallized into vertical hexagonal blocks. The only way to reach
these islands is by boat from Malpe.

Udyavara
Udyavara is just 5 km south of Udupi. Udyavara is on the outskirts of Udupi town. The main
attractions of Udyavara are the palace and fort area, Bhairava temple and stone pillar.

Varanga
Varanga is a popular pilgrim center especially for Jains. This beautiful village houses most ancient and
wonderful Basadis (Jain Temples).