UDIPI TOURISM
It is believed that the name Udupi was derived from its Tulu name Odipu, which is associated with a temple at Malpe, devoted to Vadapandeshwara. And the other story is the name Udupi came from the combination of the Sanskrit words Udu and Pa, which mean “stars” and “lord.”
Udupi, the cultural and spiritual capital of Karnataka and is the seat of education, banking and healthcare. Udipi is also known as the temple town, which was carved out from Dakshina Kannada district. Udipi consist of 3 taluks Udupi, Kundapura and Karkala. Udupi is the most sacred land where the proponent of Dwaitha Philosophy Sri Madhwacharya was born and spread the Dwaitha philosophy.
Udupi is well known as the seat of Madhwa renaissance, Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna) and also native place of the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya who founded the Krishna Mutt in the 13th century.
Udupi is also the birthplace of the Syndicate Bank and Corporation Bank. Udupi’s economy depends mainly on agriculture and fishing. Small-scale industries like the cashew industry, and other food industries and milk cooperatives are the most prominent. There is no large-scale industry in Udupi.
Manipal, a suburb of Udupi, is home to the headquarters of Syndicate Bank. It is renowned as an education and medical hub.
Places to visit in Udipi
Udupi is one of the few pilgrim centres, which have, through centuries, sought to preserve the hoary Vedic culture and Vedantic philosophy of India, along with Sanskrit learning and educational enterprises founded on its cultural base.
Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi
Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi is the very popular in religious world. Udupi has nation-wide fame, for unique seat of Vedantic learning in the 13th century under the leadership of Sri Madhvacharya. Sri Madhvacharya founded the famous Krishna Temple of Udupi and made it the fountain-head of a new devotional movement, which eventually spread all over the country.
Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi is first among the seven places of pilgrimages. The unique feature of Sri Krishna Math temple is that the Lord is worshipped only through a window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. The window is exquisitely carved and silver – plated. It has been a tradition in this temple to worship the Lord only through this window.
Ananta Padmanabha Temple
Ananta Padmanabha Temple is very famous Temple and is situated in Perdur. Perdur is about 20 km east of Udupi.. Perdur is also well known for Yakshagana, which is known locally as Perdur Mela.
Parashurama Kshetra
The piece of land between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, ranging from Nasik to Kanyakumari, is called as the “Parashurama Kshetra”, the Holy land of Parashurama .
According to Hindu epics, the sage Parashurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, reclaimed this piece of land from the sea.
Anegudde Vinayaka Temple
Anegudde is 30 km away from Udupi. Anegudde is famous for Maha Ganapathi temple. It is called as Anegudde Vinayaka Temple. Ane means ‘Elephant’ and Gudde means ‘hillock’.
St. Mary’s Island
St. Mary’s Island are very famous in Udipi. It is a group of small islands in the Arabian Sea, a little to the north of the port of Malpe in Udupi. St. Mary’s Island is a very famous picnic spot. The most attractions of these islands are the basalt rocks which have crystallized into vertical hexagonal blocks. The one and the only way to reach these islands is by boat from Malpe.
Kaup Beach
Kaup is a coastal village and situated about 12 km from Udupi on National Highway. Kaup is famous for a beach, ancient temples and an old 100 ft high lighthouse. The Kaup beach is one of the most beautiful beaches. The beach is a serene place with nature’s beauty in abundance.
Malpe Beach
Malpe is an idyllic beach 8 km near from Udipi, It is a natural port about six kilometers to the west of Udupi and is an important port for fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast. Malpe is a clear beach with white sand which is good for swimming.
Koosalli Waterfalls
Koosalli Waterfalls are located at a distance of 45 Kms from Murudeshwar, 95 Kms from Udupi & 20 Kms from Shiroor on Udupi – Karwar road.
Koosalli Waterfalls is a magnificent waterfall located in deep forest near Koosalli village. The waterfall is 20 Kms from Shiroor via Toodalli or Soodalli and 5 Kms from Koosalli village.
Koosalli Waterfalls are highly dangerous during monsoons when the rocks become slippery. November and December is the best time to visit this place.
Kudlu Teertha Falls
Kudlu Teertha Falls are located at a distance of 47 Kms from Udupi & 17 Kms from Hebri. Kudlu Teertha Falls are is also known as Sita Falls. This is a beautiful waterfall and it’s possible to swim in the pool below the falls. The trek level is of these water falls is moderate and not suggested to visit with kids.