Udupi

Religious

Karnataka

27°C / Clouds

History
Places to visit
How to reach

Udupi - The Land of Temples, Beaches, and Cuisine

Udupi is a small town and the headquarters of the Udupi District of Karnataka. The city is one of the topmost tourist destinations and people are always up for exploring the destination every time they visit the state. The place of saints and sages, it was a prominent spiritual place during the 13th century for Vaishnavism founded by Madhvacharya. He established eight Mathas to teach and spread Dvaita Vedanta Philosophy which is the reason why there are several ancient temples in this town.

Udupi is popular for the Krishna Temple which is one of the most ancient temples of the region. This beautiful destination is also known as Rajata Peetha because of the large number of temples in the city.

Geography & Climate

Udupi is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, offering a mix of coastal and lush green landscapes.

Summer (March - May): Hot and humid, with temperatures around 25°C to 38°C.
Monsoon (June - September): Heavy rainfall makes the region lush and green.
Winter (October - February): Pleasant weather (20°C - 32°C), ideal for travel.

History of Udupi

Udupi word is abstracted from the word 'Udupa' which means Moon. It is a Sanskrit word and is related to the Chandramouleshwara Temple. It was under the Dakshina Kannada district until 1997.

Mythology

According to the legends, this land was obtained by Parshuram (the 10th incarnation of Lord Vishnu) by throwing axe from the peak of Western Ghats in the Arabian Sea. It's also believed that Parshuram brought Brahmins from Aryavartha to settle in this region. He also built Renuka Temple on the Kunjarugiri Hill, in the name of his mother, Renuka.

Historic Inscriptions

The historic name of Udupi District was Tuluva or Tulunadu which was later changed into South Kanara. Then again, it was changed to Dakshina Kannada which later got bifurcated into two parts - Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District.

According to historical texts, the earliest recognised rulers were Chutus aka Tulus around 200 AD and Kadambas around 600 AD. In a battle with Chalukya Dynasty, they got defeated and Chalukya King, Kirtivarma established his reign in the region. Under the Western Chalukya rule, the region was administered by Alupas around 575 AD.

The Alupas ruled for several years and then it was time for Keladi Nayakas in 1554 who ruled for 200 years. In 1763, the region was conquered by Hyder Ali and he formed his administration. Again till 1799 AD, Tipu Sultan ruled the region. In a battle with British East India Company, Tipu Sultan lost his reign and then the region got itself a new ruler.

Major Attractions in and Around Udupi

1. St. Mary Island

This island is the place where Vasco De Gama made his first discovery. This is the land which undoubtedly has got an immense geological presence. The beauty of this place is quite spectacular to nurture in one’s mind.

2. Sri Krishna Temple

The Krishna Temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites present in South India. Here you will be finding a fascinating idol of the Lord himself which is particularly adorned with a golden chariot.

3. Malpe Beach

Now, this is one of the perfect spots for a relaxing getaway. This beach has got an immense blue expanse of sky along with the palm trees.

4. Manipal

Manipal is one of the best places to visit in Udupi. Visiting this invigorating place will be offering you a completely different perspective on travelling.

5. Pajaka

It is the birthplace of Sri Madhvacharya. This village has several tourist attractions which will simply blow your mind away. Thus, it can be said that visiting Pajaka can be an unforgettable travel experience for you.

6. Kaup Beach And Lighthouse

A secluded beach with a historic lighthouse offering stunning sea views.
Perfect for photography and evening strolls.

7. Kodi Bengre And Delta Beach

A beautiful confluence of river and sea, ideal for kayaking and sunset views.
Known for fresh seafood and beachside homestays.

8. Anegudde Vinayaka Temple

A famous Ganesha temple in Kumbashi, known for blessings in overcoming obstacles.

9. Pajaka Kshetra

The birthplace of Madhvacharya, with temples and sacred sites related to his life.

Things to Do in Udupi

Visit Sri Krishna Temple
Relax at Malpe Beach
Take a Boat to St. Mary’s Island
Explore Manipal
Try Udupi Cuisine
Witness Yakshagana Performances
Take a Backwater Ride at Kodi Bengre

Best Time to Visit Udupi

Winter (October - February) - Best for sightseeing and beach activities.
Monsoon (June - September) - Lush greenery, but heavy rain may disrupt travel.
Summer (March - May) - Hot but good for beach lovers.

How to Reach Udupi

The incredible gem of southwest India, the home of numerous Hindu temples, Udupi is situated in Karnataka. To witness the incredible beauty of 13th-century architecture, you need to travel 2244 kms, 846 km, 757 km, and 404 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore respectively.

By Air

Among the nearest airports of the Udupi city, you can count on Mangalore International airport that is merely at a distance of about 60 km from this destination. Whether you want direct flights to this location from any of the metropolitan cities or you want to choose an indirect flight, you have got all the flexibility to make a wise choice according to budget.

From Bengaluru - Board Spicejet, IndiGo flights from Bengaluru Airport. The airfares start from INR 2,000-3,000
From Mysore -Board Air India flights from Mysore Airport. The airfares start from INR 2,000-3,000
From Kozhikode - Board IndiGo flights from Kozhikode Airport. The airfares start from INR 4,000-5,000

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Mangalore

By Train

Visiting the fascinating city of Udupi can offer quite affordable and effortless trip if you choose to travel on train as your mode of transportation and deboard at the Udupi Railway Station. The Konkan Railway network connects this city to various famous spots like Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore along with other places.

By Road

Due to its great linkage with the road network of India, Udupi offers an easy travel experience by buses, taxis, cabs and even personal vehicles. You can easily afford to get lavish buses or government passenger buses from any of the major Indian cities and when it comes to roaming around the city, auto-rickshaws can lend you a hand.