Udupi

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Udupi district.

Udupi (In Kannada: ಉಡುಪಿ)
—  city  —
Udupi Krishna Matha temple
Udupi (In Tulu: ಉಡುಪಿ) Udupi
Coordinates	13°35′N 74°45′E / 13.59°N 74.75°E / 13.59; 74.75Coordinates: 13°35′N 74°45′E / 13.59°N 74.75°E / 13.59; 74.75
Country	India
Region	Tulu nadu
State	Karnataka
District(s)	Udupi
Council President	Mr. Dinakar Shetty
Population • Density	127,060 (2001[update]) • 286 /km2 (741 /sq mi)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	68.23 square kilometres (26.34 sq mi) • 39 metres (128 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 576101 (City) • Telephone • +0820 • Vehicle • KA-20
Footnotes "Udupi - The Temple City"
Website	www.udupicity.gov.in

Udupi (Tulu:ಉಡುಪಿ, Konkani:ಉಡುಪಿ and Kannada:ಉಡುಪಿ) is a town in the south-west Indian State of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Udupi District. Udupi is notable for the Krishna Temple, and lends its name to the popular Udupi cuisine. Udupi, also known as Rajata Peetha and Shivalli (Shivabelli), a centre of pilgrimage, is situated about 58 km north of Mangalore and about 422 km north-west of Bangalore.

Etymology

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.

Religious significance

Udupi is known for the 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.

According to folklore, there was a storm in the sea at Malpe. Shri Madhvacharya was on the shore at the time and saw a ship which was in trouble. He helped the ship reach the shore to safety. The sailors were very grateful to him and gave him deities of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama. He did the pratishte (installation ceremony) of the deity of Lord Balarama near Malpe. This temple is known as Vadabhandeshwara. He brought the deity of Lord Krishna and did the pratishte at Udupi. This temple is known as Krishna Mutt.

Shri Madhvacharya handed over the puja and administration of Krishna Mutt to his 8 disciples. Each of them set up their Mathas (monasteries) around the Krishna Mutt.^[1] These are known as the Ashta Mathas. The Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura. Since then, 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 Mutt management activities for two years in a cyclical order. During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the Mutt management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the Mutt during his Paryaya.

Malpe Beach

In the 16th century during Sri Vaadiraja's administration, Kanakadasa an ardent believer of God came to Udupi to worship Lord Krishna. He was not allowed inside the Mutt since he was from the caste other than Brahmin, as during that time only Brahmin's had the privilege of entering the Mutt to offer pooja to the God. He tried to see Lord Krishna from a small window, but was only able to see Lord Krishna from the back. It is believed that Sri Krishna, pleased by the bhakti (devotion) of Kanakadasa turned to face the window. This window came to be known as Kanakana Kindi. To this day, the deity of Lord Krishna faces the back of the Mutt towards the Kanakana Kindi. All Hindu temples have their Vigraha (Deity) facing the entrance of the temple, except Krishna Mutt.

Rathabeedi or Cart street of Udupi

Kanakana Kindi is decorated with carvings depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Through the nine small holes of the window we see the deity of Sri Krishna as a very young boy. He holds the churning rod in His right hand and rope in his left. 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.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census,^[2] Udupi had a population of 113,039. Males constituted 49% of the population and females 51%. The average literacy rate was 83%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy was 86% and female literacy 81%. Eight percent of the population was under 6 years of age.

Bunts, Mogaveeras, Billavas, Shivalli Brahmins, Konkanis Goud Saraswat Brahmins and Rajapur Saraswat are some of the prominent communities in Udupi.

Udupi, which previously had a Town Municipal Council now has a City Municipal Council which came into existence in 1995. Areas around Udupi, such as Manipal, Malpe and Santhekatte were merged to form the City Municipal Council.

Udupi was carved out as a separate district from the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada district on 25 August 1997. Udupi, Kundapura and Karkala were bifurcated from the Dakshina Kannada District and the Udupi District was formed.

Language

Tulu is the most widely spoken language in Udupi. Konkani, Kannada and Beary bashe is also spoken by substantial number of people.

Languages spoken in Udupi city.[citation needed]
Language			Percent
Tulu			45%
Konkani			25%
Kannada			20%
Beary bashe			07%
Others†			03%

Climate

The climate in Udupi is hot in summers and pretty good in winter. During summers(from March to May) the temperature reaches up to 40°C and in winters (from December to February) it is usually between 32°C and 20°C.

The Monsoon period is from June to September with one of the rainfall averaging more than 4000mm every year and heavy winds.

Climate data for Udupi
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	32.8 (91.0)	33 (91)	33.5 (92.3)	34 (93)	33.3 (91.9)	29.7 (85.5)	28.2 (82.8)	28.4 (83.1)	29.5 (85.1)	30.9 (87.6)	32.3 (90.1)	32.8 (91.0)	31.53 (88.76)
Average low °C (°F)	20.8 (69.4)	21.8 (71.2)	23.6 (74.5)	25 (77)	25.1 (77.2)	23.4 (74.1)	22.9 (73.2)	23 (73)	23.1 (73.6)	23.1 (73.6)	22.4 (72.3)	21.2 (70.2)	22.95 (73.31)
Precipitation mm (inches)	1.1 (0.043)	0.2 (0.008)	2.9 (0.114)	24.4 (0.961)	183.2 (7.213)	1027.2 (40.441)	1200.4 (47.26)	787.3 (30.996)	292.1 (11.5)	190.8 (7.512)	70.9 (2.791)	16.4 (0.646)	3,796.9 (149.484)
[citation needed]

Cuisine

The term Udupi (also Udipi) is also synonymous with delicious vegetarian food now found all over world (see Udupi cuisine). The origin of this cuisine is linked to Krishna Matha (Mutt). Lord Krishna is offered food of different varieties every day, and there are certain restrictions on ingredients during Chaturmasa (a four-month period during the monsoon season). These restrictions coupled with the requirement of variety led to innovation, especially in dishes incorporating seasonal and locally available materials. This cuisine was developed by Shivalli Madhwa Brahmins who cooked food for Lord Krishna, and at Krishna Matha in Udupi, the food is provided free.

Transportation

Udupi-Manipal road

National Highway 66 passes through Udupi. Other significant roads include the State Highways to Karkala and Dharmastala and to Shimoga and Sringeri. The NH-66 provides a link to Mangalore and Karwar via Kundapur. Private as well as government buses connect Udupi to various parts of Karnataka. Udupi has a railway station on the Konkan Railway. The nearest international 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, and Gangoli (Kundapur), which is 36 km away. The New Mangalore Port/Harbour is 50 km away from Udupi.

Udupi Railway Station is managed by the Konkan Railways. It is about 2 km from Udupi town and is on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mumbai rail route. Direct trains are available to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Traveling north, Kundapura Railway Station is the nearest main station.

Economy and industry

Udupi is becoming a major city of Karnataka. People here have the highest average per-capita income in Karnataka according to a recent survey by a private firm.^{[citation needed]}. Poverty rate in Udupi is fairly low when compared to Bangalore and other districts of Karnataka.

Udupi is also the birth place of the Syndicate Bank and Corporation Bank.^[3][4] 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.

The Karnataka Government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Cogentrix Light and Power Industry to set up a thermal power plant in the district at Nandikur. However, because of stiff opposition from citizens and environmentalist groups, the project has been temporarily suspended. An attempt by the Nagarjuna Power Corporation to set up a similar plant at nearby Padubidri also met strong opposition. Now, the power plant has not only been set up, it is generating 1,200 MW of power under the name of Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL), a subsidiary of Lanco Infra, an Andhra Pradesh-based infrastructure major. The opposition, however, continues.

Manipal, a suburb of Udupi, is home to the headquarters of Syndicate Bank. It is renowned as an education and medical hub.

Udupi is also home to software company Robosoft Technologies.^[5]

Art and culture

Yakshagana'

Bhuta Kola, Aati kalenja, Karangolu, and Nagaradhane are some of the cultural traditions of Udupi. The residents celebrate festivals such as Diwali, Dusshera and Christmas. Folk arts like Yakshagana are also popular.

Rathabeedhi Geleyaru, a local non-profit organisation, was founded to encourage creative pursuits, especially those that keep alive the traditions of the region. Its primary focus has been drama.

Festivals

There are several festivals during which huge crowds of locals as well as outsiders gather in Udupi.

During the biennial Paryaya festival 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 Paryaya is held on 18 January on the even years (like 2010, 2012 and so on), starting early in the morning at around 3 AM. During this festival there are tableaus from various groups which gather in Udupi. Festivals like Makara Sankranthi, Ratha Sapthami, Madhva Navami, Hanuma Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Navarathi Mahotsava, Madhva Jajanti (Vijaya Dashami), Naraka Chathurdashi, Deepavali, Geetha Jayanthi etc. are celebrated very grandly by Paryaya Mutt every year.

Krishna Janmashtami is held every year. During this festival groups of men wear "Pili Vesha (Tulu)/Huli vesha (Kannada)" Tiger costume and other costumes. They visit and collect donations from shops and houses around Udupi with a lot of enthusiasm among the participants and general public.

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 event takes place every year during August.

Rathothsava (Chariot festival) is held in almost all occasions around Rathabeedi. During this time the ratha (chariot) of Lord Krishna is pulled by locals around Rathabeedi.

Future Developments

Udupi is getting modernized day by day retaining its image as a pilgrimage centre. Lot of developments are taking place in the city and many projects are in pipeline.

The most important is the shifting of the headquarters of the government offices including those of the revenue department to a sprawling new premises at End Point in Manipal.

Adi Udupi-Kadiyali Road passing through Kalsanka (State Highway 25 Malpe-Molakalmuru) which is an arterial road of the city is being widened into a 80 feet four lane double road. This project has been a long pending demand of the Udupi citizens. The widening is currently in progress. The stretch between City Bus Station and Kadiyali is open for traffic after widening. The project is likely to be extended up to Manipal. The widening of this road has resulted in increase of land prices in surrounding areas.

The widening of NH 17 from Surathkal to Kundapur to a four lane highway will result in widening of the stretch which passes through the city. Two flyovers at Kinnimulky and Karavali Junction will be built and are expected to ease traffic jams to some extent at those junctions.

Due to large inflow of foreign and NRI students to Manipal, Udupi is expected to get an airport for landing ATR type aircraft. Capt. Gopinath, Chairman of Deccan Aviation has stressed on the need for an airport here.

A monorail project has been proposed for Udupi along with Mysore and Mangalore by Chief Minister of Karnataka Mr. B S Yadyurappa in addition to Bangalore. This is due to increasing traffic within the city. The feasibility study is yet to be conducted.

Private real estate builders and developers have proposed building shopping malls and multiplexes in future due to high average per capita income of the people here. The boom has already started with the supermarket chain Big Bazaar which has already opened its outlet in Udupi.

Other places of interest

• The ancient temples of Ananteshvara and Chandramaulishvara.
• The Ambalpadi Devi temple and the Kadiyali Mahishamardini. T
• The Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research Centre museum in the M.G.M. College premises.

See also

• Greater Udupi
• Udupi cuisine
• Udupi Krishna Temple

References

1. ^ "Udipi, India". dsal.uchicago.edu. http://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/pager.html?objectid=DS405.1.I34_V24_117.gif. Retrieved 2009-09-04. 
2. ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01. 
3. ^ "Brief history of Syndicate Bank". http://syndicatebank.in/scripts/aboutus.aspx. Retrieved 30 August 2011. 
4. ^ "History of Corporation Bank". http://www.corpbank.com/asp/0100text.asp?presentID=1176&headID=994. Retrieved 30 August 2011. 
5. ^ "Robosoft Tech unveils further plans for Udupi". Business Line. 7 March 2006. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/07/stories/2006030703440400.htm. Retrieved 30 October 2010. 

(Source: Karnataka State Gazetteer 1983)

External links

• Udupi's Information Guide on Tourism, Travel, Health and Education
• Udupi's very own online news portal
• The Town of Udupi
• Comprehensive information on Udupi
• Shivaram, Choodie (1996-08-11). "Karnataka Spiritual Centers Threatened by Development: Three 700-Year-Old Monasteries in Udupi and Scores of Temples to be Displaced by Reckless Industrial Projects". Hinduism Today. http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=3669. 
• "Conquer Vices To Sublimate The Mind". The Hindu. 1996-01-29. http://www.dvaita.org/scholars/vadiraja/VaadiraajaT_4.html. 
• "Ashtha Muth and Paryaya". Udupi temples. http://www.bangalorenet.com/katour/udu.htm. Retrieved 2005-12-12. 
• Neria Harish Hebbar. "The Eight Tulu Monasteries of Udupi". http://www.boloji.com/places/0021.htm. Retrieved 2005-12-12. 
• See South Canara gazetteer 1894,1938,1973
• Udupi City Municipality Official Website
• Udupi Urban Development Authority Official Website
• Tourist Places around Manipal/Udupi
• Sri Pajaka Kshetra
• http://udupipages.com/