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| Udupi | |
  Udupi | |
| State - District(s) | Karnataka - Udupi |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation | 68.23 km² - 39 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density | 127,060 - 286/km² |
| Council President | Ms. Shantha Krishna Naik |
| Codes - Postal - Telephone - Vehicle | - 576102 - +0820 - KA-20 |
| Website: www.udupicity.gov.in | |
Udupi (Kannada ಉಡುಪಿ ) is a temple town located in Udupi District, near Mangalore, Karnataka state on the south west coast of India. Udupi is the home to the famous Krishna temple and the Ashta Mathas (eight mathas). It is also of importance that a large number of Sanskrit scholars can be found in Udupi. Parkala is a nearby residential area.
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It is widely believed that the name of Udupi was derived from its Tulu name Odipu. The Tulu name in turn is associated with a temple at Malpe, devoted to Odabhaandiishvara. Another story is that the name Udupi came from the combination of the Sanskrit words "Udu" and "Pa" which mean "Stars" and "Lord". According to legend, the moon's shine was once reduced due to a curse by King Daksha whose 27 daughters (the 27 stars, according to Hindu astrology) were married to the moon. 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. The Chandramouleshwara temple at Udupi stands as testimony to this event. Udupi, therefore, means the land of the "lord of the stars" or the moon.
The term Udupi (Udipi ) is also synonymous with delicious vegetarian food found all over world. The origins of these hotels is linked to Krishna Matha ( Mutt ) . Lord Krishna is offered food of different varieties every day. The menu changes every day and there are certain restrictions on days of chaturmasa (four months generally monsoon) on vegetables and ingredients used. These restriction in offering of food to Lord krishna has lead to innovation and variety of food especially in form of dishes incorprating seasonal and locally available materials. These techniques developed by shivalli madhwa brahmins who cook food for Lord Krishna helped to propagate to other geographical areas on commercial basis unlike in Krishna Matha in Udupi where it is provided free.
Udupi is known for the Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna). The Krishna Mutt was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya in the 13th century. The daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (8 temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas perform temple management activities for two years in a cyclical order.
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.
The Krishna Matha is known through out world for its religious customs, traditions and learning of Dvaita philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa saahithya (literature), which originated in Udupi.
These eight Mathas are as follows:
Udupi was earlier a part of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district, which also consist of the present day Dakshina Kannada area and Kasaragod. It was under the Madras Presidency.
During the Reorganisation of States in 1956, Kasaragod was split and transferred to the newly created Kerala state and Dakshina Kannada was transferred to Mysore state (present day Karnataka).
Later, the Karnataka Government, for the purpose of administration, split Dakshina Kannada district into Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
Udupi district consists of three taluks - Udupi, Karkala and Kundapur. It also boasts of one parliamentary constituency i.e. Udupi and six assembly constituency, Kaup, Brahmavar, Kundapur,Udupi, Karkala and Byndoor. Karkala, though it belongs to Udupi district is a part of Chickmagalur parliamentary constituency.
National Highway 17 passes through Udupi, thus providing a link between the Northern and Southern part of India. Other significant roads include the State Highways to Karkala, Dharmastala and to Shimoga and Sringeri. The roads in Udupi city, specifically at Kalsanka, are too narrow to serve the burgeoning traffic. The NH 17 provides link to Mangalore and other parts of Karnataka. Private as well as government buses provide round the clock service, connecting Udupi to various parts of Karnataka.
The establishment of Konkan Railways provided a boost to rail transport in Udupi. Konkan Railways reduced the time and distance between Udupi and Mumbai.Nearest airport to Udupi is Mangalore (Bajpe ) Airport which is 50 km away. There are daily flights to Mangalore from Mumbai and Bangalore. Before start of National Highway 17 to Mumbai, People used to travel by ship to Mumbai (Bombay)from this region. Starting October 3 2006 Air India Express started direct flights to Dubai from bajpe airport
Udupi's economy is dependent mainly on agriculture and fishing. Small scale industries like cashew industries, food industries and milk cooperatives are the most prominent. However, no large industries exist in Udupi. The Karnataka Government had signed a MOU with the Cogentrix Light and Power Industry for setting up a thermal power plant in Nandikur, Padubidri (24 km from Udupi). But owing to stiff opposition from people and environmentalists, the project has been temporarily suspended. All the political parties in Udupi unequivocally oppose this project.
Mrs. Manorama Madhwaraj (Bharatiya Janata Party)
Mr. Raghupathi Bhat (Bharatiya Janata Party) - Udupi
Mr. Lalaji Mendon (Bharatiya Janata Party) - Kaup
Mr. Krishna Palemar (Bharatiya Janata Party) - Suratkal
Mr. Nagaraj Shetty (Bharatiya Janata Party) - Bantwal
Mr. Abhaychandra Jain (Indian National Congress) - Mulki- Mudbidri
Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde (Independent) - Brahmavar
Mr. Halady Shrinivas Shetty (Bharatiya Janata Party) - Kundapur
Mr. Gopal Poojary (Indian National Congress) - Byndoor
Bhuta Kola, Aati Kalanja, Karangolu, Nagaradhane are some of the cultural aspects of Udupi. Festivals like Diwali, Dusshera, Ramzan, Christmas are celebrated with pomp and gaiety. Folk arts like Yakshagana are also favoured by the general populace.
Rathabeedhi Geleyaru, a non-profit organisation provides forum for engaging its members in creative pursuits during their leisure. Though it engages in art, culture and religious discourse, its main focus has been drama and culture.
Kannada and Tulu are widely spoken languages in Udupi. Other significant languages include Konkani, Kundagannada (a dialect of Kannada spoken in Kundapur), Hindi and Beary.
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Udupi had a population of 113,039. Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%. Udupi has an average literacy rate of 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 86%, and female literacy is 81%. In Udupi, 8% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Udupi is a confluence of various religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Jainism. Though Udupi town is well-known as a temple town and a pilgimage town, it also plays host to a number of churches and mosques.
Billavas, Bunts, Mogaveeras, Konkanis (Gauda Saraswat, Rajapur Saraswat, Kudalkar), Shivalli Brahmins, Koragas and Malekudiyas are some of the prominent communities in Udupi.
Compared to other districts of Karnataka, Udupi boasts a high literacy rate of 92%.Christian missionaries have contributed to the growth of education. Udupi also has the distinction of toppping 10th and 12th standard exams held every year by the Karnataka State Education Board.
Udupi district is also home to internationally renowned educational institutions. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education runs schools, colleges and institutes of higher learning. Similarly, the Nitte Education Trust, located at Nitte heads a host of educational institutions.
Gangolli is a place were you get quality education, we have SARASWATHI VIDHYALAYA pre university college, which produces quality students who become good doctors and engineers...its one of the best college in udupi district. Touheed education trust hav also contributed for educating poor children's in village of gangolli..
Udupi offers some of the best, unspoilt beaches and magnificent temples. The Western Ghats poses a challenge to nature lovers. Below is a list of tourist places
1) Malpe : About six km from Udupi, Malpe is an important fishing and trading harbour. St. Marys Island which is about 6-8 km from Malpe is covered by hexagonal asphalt rocks. Tourists can stay at Summer Sand Beach Resorts, close to the sea and enjoy the ambience of the place.
2) Kaup: (Pronounced as Ka-Aap) About 12 km from Udupi. An unspoilt, magnificent beach that boasts of an imposing lighthouse.
3) Maravanthe: About 42 km from Udupi. Maravanthe easily qualifies to be the best beach in the entire state of Karnataka. The NH - 17 is flanked on the left side by the Arabian Sea and on the right side by the Souwparnika river. However, due to continuous sea erosion, the Arabian Sea has come dangerously close to the NH-17, thus rendering this lovely beach unfit for tourists.
1) Pajaka: About 12 km from Udupi. This is the place where Madhvacharya preached his dvaita philosophy.
2) Kollur: About 74 km from Udupi. It is the abode of Goddess Durga, nestled among the Western Ghats and attracts tourists from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
3) Karkala: About 37 km from Udupi. Jain basadis and statue of Lord Gomateshwara are some of the major attractions of this place.
4) Milagres Church: About 7 km from Udupi. Ancient church that withstood the onslaught of a marauding Tippu Sultan.
5) Annegudde: About 30 km from Udupi. Famous for the temple of Lord Ganesha.
6) Attur Church: About 25 km from Udupi. Famous for its yearly fair, attended by people from all religious groups.
7) Barkur: About 15 km from Udupi. The erstwhile capital of historical Tulu Nadu, Barkur is dotted with temples and Jaina basadis.
8) Saligrama : About 27 km from Udupi. Lord Guru Narasimha swami temple.
1) Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary: About 40 km from Udupi. It boasts of rare species of animals, birds and medicinal plants.
2) Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary: About 50 km from Udupi. Spread along the Kundapur-Kollur road, this sanctuary is generally off the tourist map.
2) Kudlū Theerthā Falls: About 42 km from Udupi: An enchanting waterfalls, located deep in the jungles of Western Ghats, close to Hebri town.
3) Barakanā Falls: About 54 km from Udupi; Located in the Western Ghats, at the junction of Udupi, Shimoga and Chickmaglur districts, it is 45-minutes walk from the Udupi-Shimoga state highway.
4) River Islands: River Swarnā, Chakrā, Sitā, Netravati, Varāhi and Kubjā form beautiful, yet unexplored river islands. Called as Kudrūs, these river islands inhabited by people, lack basic facilities like drinking water, electricity and transport. Eg. Skool Kudrū, Kannada Kudrū, Katte Kudrū, Shetty Kudrū etc.
5) Belkal Theerthā Falls: About 50 km from Udupi. Cascading waterfalls, located deep in the Western Ghats.
1) http://www.udupipages.com/home/culture/culture.html
2) http://www.udupipages.com/home/travel/beach.html