From Shri Krishna Monastery to beautiful beach, 10 features of Udupi where PM Modi visited

Udupi, the coastal gem of Karnataka, has today become not only a religious and cultural city but also a center of education, tourism, natural beauty and modern development. This city was founded by Vaishnav saint Madhvacharya in the 13th century. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Udupi today has brought the city into the national spotlight. After reaching Shri Krishna Math there, he will participate in the Laksh Kanth Geeta Parayan program.

With this excuse, let us know those special features of Udupi which give it a unique identity on the map of India. Know the 10 main features of Udupi that make it special.

1- Divinity of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

As soon as the name of Udupi is mentioned, the first image that comes before our eyes is the Shri Krishna Temple. This temple is associated with the tradition of the medieval saint Shri Madhvacharya and is considered a very sacred center of faith for Vaishnav devotees. The most unique thing about the temple is that Krishna is seen here through a small window which is called Navrandhra of Kanha or Kanakana Kindi. According to religious belief, devotee poet Kanak Das had darshan from this window. The calm, disciplined and spiritual atmosphere of the temple complex daily routine like Mangala Aarti, Bhog, Evening Aarti and Vedic chanting etc. makes Udupi a center of attraction for devotees from all over the country.

2- Amazing tradition of eight monasteries

The second major specialty of Udupi is the Ashtamatha tradition here. Sri Madhvacharya established eight monasteries namely Pejavar, Adamaru, Krishnapur, Palimaru, Puttige, Shirur, Sodhe and Kaniyur for the service and administration of Sri Krishna temple. The responsibilities of worship and management keep changing among these monasteries in a fixed order, which is called Paryanya. At the time of every Paryan, a festive atmosphere is created in the whole of Udupi and thousands of devotees come from far and wide. This unique system is such an example of religion, discipline and collective management that can become an inspiration for any modern institutional system.

3- Cleanliness and beauty of beaches

Nature has given Udupi a great gift of beautiful coastline. Beaches like Malpe, Kapu, Padubidri and Mattu are known for their clean sand, blue sea and serene environment. Especially St. Mary’s Island, located at some distance from Malpe Beach, is a special attraction for tourists due to its unique rocks and natural formations. The biggest draw of Udupi’s beaches is its relatively less crowd and cleanliness, making it an ideal destination for families and travelers who prefer a tranquil environment.

4- Identification of Udupi cuisine and vegetarian food

The contribution of Udupi to Indian food culture is considered very important. Udupi cuisine has today become a trusted style of pure vegetarian food all over the world. Dishes like Sambar, Rasam, Dosa, Idli, Vada, Upma, special chutneys and Payasam became popular from the kitchen of Udupi. The tradition of Prasad and food donation found in the temples here teaches the art of preparing delicious and balanced food even without garlic and onion. This is the reason why hundreds of restaurants in the country and abroad call themselves Udupi hotels and assure their authenticity and authenticity.

5- Emerging hub of education and technical institutions

Udupi and its surrounding areas have become a major center of higher education, especially technical and professional courses. The nearby Manipal Vishwavidyalaya Bhawan area, commonly known as Manipal University, is internationally renowned. Students from all over the country and abroad come here for medical, engineering, pharmacy, management and many other courses. This strong focus on education is also making Udupi a city of youth, research and innovation, where traditional culture and modern education seem to grow together.

6- Richness of cultural and folk traditions

Udupi is not only a city of temples but also home to folk art and cultural traditions. Traditional dance theater forms like Yakshagana are the hallmark here, in which religious and mythological stories are presented through music, dance and dialogue throughout the night. Apart from this, Dussehra, Deepawali, Krishna Janmashtami, Paryan Mahotsav and local Jatras make the social life of this area vibrant. Rath-yatras and grand processions held in temples further strengthen the feeling of unity and participation among the community.

7- Natural greenery and backwater beauty

Apart from the beaches, another great feature of Udupi is its greenery and the serene beauty of backwaters i.e. river lakes. Dense coconut plantations, lush green paddy fields and rivers passing through them present a very relaxing scene. This area becomes even more green during monsoon days, when cloud covered hills and rain drenched trees and plants feel like a paradise for nature lovers. The relatively balanced development with the environment has also made Udupi a favorable destination for eco-tourism.

8- Balanced development of pilgrimage and tourism

The balance that is seen in Udupi between religious pilgrimages and modern tourism facilities is an important feature of it. On one hand, Shri Krishna Temple and other ancient temples attract lakhs of devotees, on the other hand, the resorts, hotels, home stays and adventure activities here attract the young generation and families alike. The local administration and society have worked together to ensure that the sanctity of the pilgrimage sites is maintained, while cleanliness, safety and facilities for tourists are continuously improved. This balance makes Udupi recognized as a wonderful destination.

9- Entrepreneurship, NRI community and economic progress

The people of Udupi are considered hardworking, disciplined and enterprising. Many famous banks, hotel chains and business groups of South India have their roots somewhere in Udupi and surrounding districts. A large number of people work or are doing business in Gulf countries, Europe and America, whose contribution strengthens the local economy. The emotional connection of the people of Udupi origin settled abroad with their city is clearly visible in the donations and investments made in education, health, religious places and social projects here. Due to this, the economic progress of Udupi keeps getting new momentum.

10- Udupi connects with the vision of modern India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Udupi can also be considered important from the point of view that this city is a symbol of spiritual heritage and the model of modern development, which is repeatedly talked about today in the vision of New India. Udupi is emerging as a natural partner in many national campaigns like Swachh Bharat, Digital India, tourism development, skill development and higher education. Its peaceful social structure, religious tolerance and progressive thinking give the message that India’s real strength lies in its diversity and balanced development. This visit of PM Modi is not only an opportunity to increase the pace of government schemes, but is also an important moment to present cities like Udupi as an inspiring example in front of the entire country.

What is the meaning of Udupi?

The name Udupi is believed to be derived from its Tulu name Oedipu. This name in Tulu language is further associated with a temple in Malpe, which is dedicated to Vadbhandeshwar. According to another story, the name Udupi is derived from two Sanskrit words Udu and Pa, which mean star and lord (or god) respectively.

Legend has it that once upon a time the brightness of the moon had diminished due to the curse of King Daksh. King Daksha’s 27 daughters (which are considered to be 27 Nakshatras or stars according to Hindu astrology) were the wives of the Moon. To get freedom from the curse and get back his original aura, Moon worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was pleased with the prayer of the moon and returned its shine.

Folktale also tells that Chandrama and his wives prayed at the Chandramouliswara temple in Udupi and there he established a linga, which can be seen even today. According to this story, Udupi means the land of the lord of stars i.e. Chandradev.

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