Udupi district

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
type = District
state_name = Udupi Dist
native_name = Udupi Dist
locator_position = left


largest_city = Udupi
official_languages = Kannada, Tulu
established_date = 1997
area_magnitude = 11
area_rank = 8th
population_year = 2001
population_total = 1,112,243 of which 18.55% were urban
population_rank =
population_density =
districts =
website = http://www.udupicity.gov.in/

Udupi District (Tulu:ಉಡುಪಿ ) in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi is famous for Asta Math, i.e. eight Matts and Sri Krishna Temple. Udupi is also one of oldest Educational Centres. The administrative headquarters of Udupi district is Udupi. Population as per Census 2001 was 1,112,243 of which 18.55% were urban. [cite web
url=http://www.censusindiamaps.net/page/India_WhizMap/IndiaMap.htm
title=Census 2001
publisher=
accessdate=2006-09-10 ]

Language

The primary languages of Udupi district are the Tulu, Kannada and Konkani. The Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts are sometimes referred to as Tulu Nadu, as they constitute the Tulu-majority region.

Some inscriptions in the Tulu languages are found in and around the village of Barkur. The ruins and inscriptions are in need of being preserved.

Muslims in the district are mainly Beary,. Urdu speaking 'Dakhnis' and Nawayath. The "Nawayaths" use a dialect of konkani called "Nawayathi" which uses Persian script.

Divisions

Udupi was created out of the Dakshina Kannada district in the year August 1997.

Udupi district consists of three taluks: Udupi, Karkala and Kundapur. It has one parliamentary constituency (i.e., Udupi) and six assembly constituencies: Kaup, Brahmavar, Kundapur, Udupi, Karkala and Baindur. Karkala, though it belongs to Udupi district, is part of the Chickmagalur parliamentary constituency.

Elected Representatives

;Member of Parliament

* Mrs. Manorama Madhwaraj (BJP)

;Members of Legislative Assembly

* Mr. K.Raghupathi Bhat (BJP) - Udupi
* Mr. Lalaji Mendon (BJP) - Kaup
* Mr. Abhaychandra Jain (INC) - Mulki - Mudabidri
* Mr. Halady Shrinivas Shetty (BJP) - Kundapura
* Mr. Laxminarayana sherigar(BJP) - Byndoor

Cuisine

Udupi restaurants that are popular all over India and have found its way into other countries also. Udupi (Udipi) restaurants are typically south Indian vegetarian restaurants. In Mumbai or Hyderabadand Bengalooru, Udupi restaurants are famous for vegetarian food and courteous service.

Education

Udupi has a literacy rate of 92%, high compared to other districts of Karnataka. Udupi also tops the 10th and 12th standard exams held every year by the Karnataka State Education Board.

Udupi district is home to internationally renowned educational institutions. The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) runs schools, colleges and institutes of higher learning. Similarly, the Nitte Education Trust, located at Nitte, heads a large number of educational institutions.

Commerce and Industry

The district has mostly small scale industries.There is not any noteworthy industry at present. There are some red clay tile,cashew,coconut oil industries providing employment to hundreds.There is printing press in Manipal belonging to Pai group doing high security printing like cheques,share certificates etc.The district ( Undivded South Canara ) was birth place of Four public sector banks ( PSB ) namely Vijaya Bank,Canara Bank,Corporation Bank and Syndicate Bank . There were many small insurance companies before nationalisation.The district has bank branches density which is above the national average of India.Some Computer software companies like Robosoft Technologies & SourceHub India Pvt Ltd has setup their Corporate Office & Regional Office here.Robosoft has brought Udupi a significant place in the global IT scenario.

Transportation

The Udupi district has two national highways passing through , one is NH-17 and another is NH-13. The district has network of bituminised roads connecting district centre with moffusil areas.The Konkan railway connects district with neighbouring districts and states. At present nearest airport is Mangalore Airport at Bajpe which is at 55 Kilometre from the town of Udupi.

Temples

The famous Udupi Krishna temple is located in Udupi. Udupi is the place where Sri Madhwacharya,one of the greatest proponents of the Vaishnava faith began his philosophical journey

Kuthpady is known for the Subramanya temples, which are visited every year thousands of pilgrims during Subramanya Shrasthi, which falls in November-December It is also home to "Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara Temple" "(Kanangi Temple)atyayuga Yogashrama" and "Ramakrishna Bhajana Mandira".

Tourist locations

Beaches

* Malpe: About 6 km from Udupi town, Malpe is an important fishing and trading harbour.
* St. Mary's Island:An island on the Arabian Sea near to Malpe
* Kaup (pronounced "Ka-Aap"): About 12 km from Udupi with a beach and a lighthouse
* Maravanthe: About 42 km from Udupi. 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.Still the road exists miraculously between sea and river and after this spot, river makes a U turn and goes eastwards and meets sea at Kundapura, after a journey of about 10 km.
*byndoor beach is well known for its beautiful sun set, and we can see the sun set from the ib . all facilities are available for tourists. we can also see the mountain view from watch tower(100m high, around 400 meters above sea level )

Religious Places

* Udupi Shree Krishna Temple.
* Pajaka: About 12 km from Udupi. This is the place where Madhvacharya preached his Dvaita philosophy.
* Kollur: About 74 km from Udupi, nestled among the Western Ghats. It is considered the abode of Goddess Mookambika and attracts tourists from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
* Karkala: About 37 km from Udupi. Jain basadis (temples) and Gomateshwara (giant statues) are notable features.Other important places are Padutirupathi Sri Venkataramana Temple,Attur St.Lawrence Church,Sri Hosamarigudi Temple,Sri Ucchanggi Mariamma Temple,Sri Ananthapadmanabha Temple,Sri Padmavathi Temple, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Sri Siddhivinayaka Temple, Sri Umamaheshwara Temple and Salmar Jama Masjid.
* Milagres Church: About 7 km from Udupi. This ancient church withstood the onslaught of a marauding Tippu Sultan.
* Anegudde: About 30 km from Udupi. Famous for the temple of Lord Ganesha.
* Attur Church: About 25 km from Udupi. Famous for its yearly fair, attended by people from all religious groups.
* Barkur: About 15 km from Udupi. The erstwhile capital of historical Tulu Nadu, Barkur is dotted with temples and Jaina basadis.
* Saligrama : About 27 km from Udupi, with a Lord Guru Narasimha swami temple.
* Pernankila : There is a ancient Ganapathi temple in this village.

Wildlife Sanctuaries

The Udupi district has thick evergreen forests in the eastern part.They form part of Sahyadri or Western Ghats of India.These forests have wide range of flora and fauna.
* Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary: About 40 km from Udupi. It contains rare species of animals, birds and medicinal plants.
* Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary: About 50 km from Udupi. Spread along the Kundapur-Kollur road, this sanctuary is generally off the tourist map.
* Shirva Pilar khan Bird Sanctuary: About 03 km from Shirva

Waterfalls

* Kudlū Theerthā Falls: About 42 km from Udupi. A waterfall located deep in the jungles of Western Ghats, close to Hebri town.This is a beautiful water fall in any standards, and may become very weak during Feb-May. With a height of about 300 feet, it falls directly into a pond which is considered holy by local people, because, sages meditated here thousands of years ago. There is one more water fall above Kudlu theertha, called Manga theertha (monkey theertha) named so because, only monkey can reach it as the path is very steep inside the forest.
* Barkana Falls: About 54 km from Udupi. Located in the Western Ghats at the junction of Udupi, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts, the falls are a 45-minute walk from the Udupi-Shimoga state highway.
* Belkal Theerthā Falls: About 50 km from Udupi. Cascading waterfalls, located deep in the Western Ghats. This falls is about 400 feet and there will be no water during Feb-May.
* Arasina Gundi, near Dali village off Kollur, is a beautiful waterfall within the forest.
* Jomlu Theertha :Near Belve village about 35 km from Udupi [http://wikimapia.org/5808358/Jomlu_Falls_Cross] , a small water fall about 20 feet height created by River Seethanadi. This is second water fall of this river, first one being Kudlu Theertha.
* Kosalli Water falls near Byndoor, Kundapur Taluk is a beautiful spot situated at the northern boundary of the district.

River Islands

The rivers Swarnā, Chakrā, Sitā, Netravati, Varāhi and Kubjā contain beautiful and often unexplored river islands. Called Kudrūs, some of the islands are inhabited but lack basic facilities such as drinking water, electricity and transport. Examples of the islands include Skool Kudrū, Kannada Kudrū, Katte Kudrū, and Shetty Kudrū.

See also

*Udupi
*Udupi cuisine
*Dakshina kannada
*Mangalore

References

External links

* [http://www.prithvibhat.com/factfile.html Comprehensive information on Udupi]
* [http://www.udupipages.com Know about Udupi]
* [http://www.kar.nic.in/gazetteer South Canara Gazetteer 1973]