Kodavoor

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Kodavoor| official_name = Krodashrama | locator_position=left
map_caption = Kodavoor| state_name= Karnataka
Language_name= Tulu
district= Udupi
language= Kannada, Tulu
area_telephone= 0820
postal_code= 576106
vehicle_code_range = KA-20
nearest_airport = Mangalore
nearest_railstation = Udupi
nearest_harbour= Malpe
overall_literacy= 87.3
male_literacy = 93.0
female_literacy = 82.0
latd = 13.35705|longd=74.715480
altitude = 8.83
max_temperature = 35.0
min_temperature = 26.1
footnotes = |

Kodavoor is a small town belonging to the temple city of Udupi in Karnataka, India. Home to Lord Shankaranarayana Temple and many other small sacred hindu temples, it has a long history of its own.

History

Legend has it that Kroda Muni, a hindu saint, had his ashram here and was doing 'thpasyam' here for the good of the world, thus the name Krodasharama, which then converted into Krodavooru and to Kodavoor.

Nature and Landscape

Being a typical coastal town, it is surrounded by coconut trees and paddy fields which contribute to its fine appearance during the monsoon.

Tourism

*Kodavoor is just a kilometer away from Malpe, a Karnataka coastal tourist delight, with a beautiful beach and St. Mary's Island.
* People can also visit the Temples in Belkale, Keremata, Kambalakatta and Kanangi.
*Apart from the above attractions, Kodavoor contributes to the cultural richness of the city of Udupi in having its own traditional Bharatanatyam school known as [http://www.udupipages.com/home/culture/nritya.html NRITYA NIKETAN.] Dance enthusiasts from various parts of the world visit this institute in order to learn Bharatanatyam.

Culture

* Belonging to the culturally rich district of Udupi, the people of Kodavoor leave no stone unturned when it comes to culture and the arts.
* Yakshagana is a popular form of musical dramatic art which is enjoyed here and Kodavoor is home to many prominent yakshagana artists.
* Hulivesha kunitha, where performers paint their bodies with tiger stripes and dance to popular bollywood tunes, is one of the most exciting moments one can experience during the days of Krishna Janmaashtami, "(the Birthday Of Lord Krishna)"
* Kodavoor is also a very significant place for believers of Dvaita, the system of philosophy founded by Sri Madhvacharya. According to a very famous story [ [http://www.bharatadesam.com/people/madhwacharya.php Biographies of Great Indians] ] , Sri Madhva visited Kodavoor to pray to Lord Shankaranarayana when he was just 3 years old.

Important Events

*Yearly car festival of Lord Shankaranarayana. (It is performed for 9 days and consists of the Rathotsavam i.e. the Chariot seva, Kattepooja. This is the only time Lord Shankaranarayana is brought out of the temple to the devotee's house. The Lord is carried in the Silver Pallakki and is taken to the devotee's home.)
*Lakshadeepothsavam (This is the pooja in which the temple as well as the temple street is filled with the Deepam.)

*This temple is also dedicated to the godlike Ganapathi. (There are two Ganapathis, one inside the temple and one near the river which flows behind the temple, popularly known as "Tudekatte ganapathi" in Tulu, Durgamata, Lord shiva, Raghavendra mutt, Nagabana, Brahmadeva, Nandi. A unique feature of this temple town of Udupi is that all the temples have only one nandi. Kodavoor temple is the only temple which has two nandis. So, beside the car festival of Lord Shankaranarayana, all the Festivals such as Ganesha Chauti (Gana homa's), Navaratri (especially Cahndika homa's) are performed here.

*Maari pooja, which occurs twice a year, is also an interesting ritual which attracts a large number of devotees around the town.

Language and religion

* Tulu, Kannada, Konkani are the most widely spoken languages along with English and Hindi. The official language of the state is Kannada.
* Hinduism is followed by a large number of the population. Among the indigenous Hindus,the Mogaveeras,Billavas,and Bunts form the biggest groups, also Brahmins and Goud Saraswat Brahmins form a smaller group.
* Muslims and Christians constitute a minority of the population.

Industry

Being a small city, it depends on agriculture as the main source of income.A considerable number of people here also rely on the fisheries which are supplied by the fishing harbour at the nearby town of Malpe.
Beedi (a type of cigarette) Industries and Milk Producers Unions contribute a considerable degree of industry to the city.

Transportation

Kodavoor has reliable public transportation with buses connecting to the cities of Udupi and Malpe.
Auto rickshaw.

Banking and Finance

Canara Bank - Kodavoor Branch and Kodavoor Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha (a co-operative) bank operate here.

chools and Colleges

While Kodavoor does have a primary school, residents have to depend on nearby Malpe or Udupi for higher education.

References