About Udupi - Karnataka

About Udupi - An Introduction

Udupi the third largest city of Karnataka is loacted at a distance of 422 Kms from Bangalore & 60 Kms from Managalore. Udupi is surrounded by mountains of western ghats on the east & Arabian Sea on the west.

Udupi is the Birth place of saint Sri Madhavacharya who founded Krishna Mutt dedicated to lord Sri Krishna which is a important pilgrimage center of Karnataka.

History of Udupi

Udupi a land of ethereal beauty, sandwiched between the verdant mountains of the western ghats on the east and the vast, tranquil Arabian Sea on the west. This new district, carved out of the erstwhile Dakshina Kannada, which was more aptly called "Parashurama Srishti", encapsulates the vast cultural heritage. Udupi is well known for its religious fervour and vividity of diverse cultural heritage. Udupi, known elsewhere as a Temple City is the headquarters of the district, known world over to the millions of connoisseurs of food as the birth place of Udupi Hotels. It never ceases to enchant visitors from length and breadth of the country and the world over. It is best known as the seat of Madhwa renaissance, founded by the sage Madhwacharya, outcome of which are Ashtamathas, located in the famous Car Street, surrounding the Sri Krishna Temple.

Udupi, an important Teerthasthal (pilgrimage place) with its historical Krishna Temple is the cultural center of Karnataka. The district, carved out of Dakshina Kannada district two years ago, has its own identity in the field of art and culture. The temple town has seen the birth of many great personalities of national and international fame, whose intellectual contribution is commendable. Great littérateurs like Late Dr. K Shivarama Karanth, Dr U R Ananthamurthy and Girish Karnad, the Jnanapeeth award winners hail from this place. Other littérateurs and critics like Late Pa Vem Acharya, N Vyasaraya Ballal, also have their lineage to this land. Well known artistes like Late K K Hebbar, Late B P Bairi dedicated their lives for the promotion and spread of art.Yakshagana, Taalamaddale, Gombeyaata, Bhoota worship, Naaga worship, Koti Chennaya Nema, Garaodis, temples, cock-fight are the reminiscence of the rich past and glory of this magical land.

The district is well endowed with surface and ground water facility necessary for irrigating the horticultural crops. The district leads in cashew production and has a vibrant processing industry. The scope for growth of areca and coconut is there, provided the rates are supported by suitable market mechanism. Number of food processing industries are possible. The district is a net importer of vegetables, a number of which can be very well grown within the district. Suitable interaction between the farmers and the Regional Research Station at Brahmavara, as also the Horticulture department, needs to be taken up. On the export front already Jasmine flowers grown in the area of Katpady and Palli are being exported. This can be further expanded in adjacent areas. If possible, industry for extraction of oil from Jasmine as also Vanilla can be thought of. Already some initiatives for developing herbal gardens and extraction of essential oils seem to have been taken. The labour costs being high and the returns being low, Low-lying areas under paddy cultivation may be encouraged to take up alternate crops like sugarcane. Development of identified watersheds is an important step in this direction as it would enable recharge of groundwater and prevention of run-off into the sea in this high rainfall region.

How to Reach Udupi

By Air : The nearest Bajpe Airport 60 kms. from Udupi.
By Rail : Udupi has a railway station with in the city and is linked by rail to Udupi and many other cities in south India.
By Road : Udupi is well connected by KSRTC & Private bus services. It is connected to all major cities nearby.