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UDUPI

Udupi is a city and the headquarters of the Udupi District in Karnataka. Udupi is famous for the Krishna temple located here. It also lends its name to the Udupi cuisine which is famous across the world.

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 Vadabhandeshwara. 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 light 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. 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. 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 (eight temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs 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 throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.

These eight Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura.

Another important festival is Bhajana Saptaha which is held in Sri Laxmi Venkatesh Temple. Saptaha means one week. During this time Bhajans are sung continuously day and night for 7 days. This falls during August of every year.

HOW TO REACH UDUPI
NH 17 passes through Udupi. Other significant roads include the State Highways to Karkala and Dharmastala and to Shimoga and Sringeri. The NH 17 provides a link to Mangalore and Karwar. Private as well as government buses connect Udupi to various parts of Karnataka. Udupi has a railway station on the Konkan Railway. The nearest airport to Udupi is Mangalore (Bajpe) Airport, which is 50 km away.

City and suburban transport is available for travel within Udupi and suburbs. The buses originate from the suburban bus stand (City Bus Stand). There are different route numbers.

The nearest harbour/port to Udupi is Malpe, which is 5 km away. New Mangalore Port/Harbour is 50 km away from Udupi.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Mumbai to Udupi
Mumbai to Udupi is 887.0 km (takes about 13 hrs, 52 mins)

Mumbai > Pune > Panchgani > Satara > Kolhapur > Belgaum > Hubli > Mangalore > Udupi

1. Head west on Road No 32 toward H Adenwala Rd (0.1 km)
2. Turn right at H Adenwala Rd (0.2 km)
3. At the roundabout, take the 5th exit onto Eastern Express Highway - Go through 1 round (about 4.7 km)
4. Turn right at V N Purav Marg (15 m)
5. Turn left to stay on V N Purav Marg - Go through 1 round about (4.0 km)
6. Continue on Yaswanth Rao Chavan Marg (4.9 km)
7. Continue on Vashi Bridge (1.9 km)
8. Continue on Sion - Panvel Express Hwy (10.4 km)
9. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit (0.5 km)
10. Continue straight onto Sion - Panvel Express Hwy (7.3 km)
11. Continue on Mumbai-Pune Express Way (93.9 km)
12. Take the exit toward Mumbai Pune Bypass Rd (0.6 km)
13. Keep right at the fork to continue toward Mumbai Pune Bypass Rd and merge onto Mumbai Pune Bypass Rd (36.4 km)
14. Slight right at NH 4 (210.0 km)
15. Continue on National Highway 14/NH 14 - Continue to follow NH 14 (0.5 km)
16. Continue on NH 4 (99.4 km)
17. Continue on MH 4 (0.4 km)
18. Continue on NH 4 (4.2 km)
19. Turn left to stay on NH 4 (150.0 km)
20. Turn right at SH 6 (96.6 km)
21. Turn right at SH 1 (117.0 km)
22. Turn left toward NH 17 (29.4 km)
23. Turn left at NH 17 (9.4 km)
24. Slight left (2.4 km)
25. Turn right toward SH 25A (0.7 km)
26. Slight right at SH 25A (0.3 km)
27. Turn left at SH 37 (1.1 km)
28. Turn left to stay on SH 37 (0.3 km)
29. Turn left
30. Destination will be on the right