Quick Facts

Quick Facts

General Information:

• Location: Coastal Karnataka, India.
• Coordinates: Approximately 13.34° N, 74.75° E.
• District: Udupi District (headquarters at Udupi city).
• Region: Part of the Karavali (Coastal Karnataka) region.
• Nicknames:
  • "Temple Town".
  • "City of Lord Krishna".
  • "Birthplace of Udupi Cuisine".

 Historical Background:

• Ancient Period:
  • Udupi's early history is closely linked with the Alupa Dynasty (ancient coastal rulers).
• Religious Significance:
  • Udupi gained fame with the establishment of the Sri Krishna Matha by Sri Madhvacharya in the 13th century.
  • Birthplace of Dvaita philosophy (dualism) by Madhvacharya.
• Colonial Period:
  • Came under Portuguese influence on the west coast; later integrated into the Kingdom of Mysore and finally British India.

 Geography and Climate:

• Elevation: Average elevation of about 27 meters (89 feet) above sea level.
• Topography:
  • Fertile coastal land with backwaters, rivers, and Arabian Sea coastline.
• Climate:
  • Type: Tropical monsoon climate.
  • Summers: Hot and humid (March–May).
  • Monsoons: Heavy rainfall (June–September).
  • Winters: Mild and pleasant (November–February).
• Major rivers: Swarna River, Sita River, and Panchagangavali.

 Economy:

• Agriculture:
  • Coconut, arecanut, paddy, cashew, and fisheries dominate the rural economy.
• Fisheries:
  • Udupi is a major fishing center on the Karnataka coast.
• Industries:
  • Light manufacturing, fishing industries, tile factories (traditional Mangalore tiles), and cashew processing.
• Banking and Finance:
  • Birthplace of major banks like Syndicate Bank (founded at nearby Manipal).
• Education and Healthcare:
  • Major sector due to the institutions at Manipal.
• Tourism:
  • Religious, coastal, and cultural tourism contribute significantly.

 Education:

• World-class education hub.
• Manipal (near Udupi) houses:
  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – a globally recognized private university.
  • Kasturba Medical College (KMC).
  • Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT).
• Other Institutions:
  • Poornaprajna College.
  • MGM College.
• Thousands of students from across India and abroad study here.

 Transportation:

• Roadways:
  • Connected via NH 66 (Mumbai–Goa–Kochi highway).
  • Local bus services and private taxis available.
• Railways:
  • Udupi Railway Station on the Konkan Railway line connects it to Mumbai, Goa, Mangalore, and Kerala.
• Airways:
  • Nearest airport: Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) – about 55 km away.
• Waterways:
  • Small-scale inland water transport via rivers and estuaries.

 Tourist Attractions:

• Sri Krishna Temple (Udupi Sri Krishna Matha):
  • Main religious center where the idol of Lord Krishna is worshiped through the Kanakana Kindi (a small window).
• Malpe Beach:
  • Beautiful beach; gateway to St. Mary’s Islands.
• St. Mary's Islands:
  • Unique geological formations (columnar basaltic lava rocks).
• Kaup Beach and Lighthouse:
  • Serene beach with a historic lighthouse.
• Manipal:
  • Educational town with attractions like Manipal Lake and Anatomy Museum.
• Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village:
  • Museum preserving traditional heritage houses.
• Kodi Beach and Delta:
  • Scenic river-mouth location at the confluence of Suvarna River and the Arabian Sea.
• Anantheshwara Temple:
  • Ancient Shiva temple in Udupi.

 Culture and Festivals:

• Language:
  • Kannada (official and widely spoken).
  • Tulu and Konkani are also major local languages.
• Cultural Practices:
  • Yakshagana (traditional dance-drama).
  • Bhuta Kola (spirit worship rituals).
• Udupi Cuisine:
  • Famous globally for pure vegetarian dishes like dosa, idli, sambhar, rasam, and variety of chutneys.
  • Udupi hotels have become a brand worldwide.
• Festivals:
  • Paryaya Festival: Biannual event when management of the Krishna temple is ceremonially handed over to one of the Ashta Mathas (eight monasteries).
  • Krishna Janmashtami, Deepavali, and Makara Sankranti celebrated with grandeur.
  • Bhuta Kola and Nagaradhane (serpent worship) are significant local festivals.

 Demographics (Approximate as of 2025):

• City Population: ~180,000.
• District Population: ~1.4 million.
• Literacy Rate: About 86% (one of the highest in Karnataka).
• Religious Composition:
  • Hindus form the majority.
  • Muslims, Christians (especially Catholics), and Jains are significant minorities.

 Administration:

• Municipality: Udupi City Municipality.
• District Administration: Udupi district carved out of Dakshina Kannada in 1997.
• Divided into three taluks: Udupi, Kundapura, and Karkala.

 Notable Personalities from Udupi:

• Sri Madhvacharya:
  • Philosopher and founder of Dvaita Vedanta.
• Dr. T.M.A. Pai:
  • Founder of Manipal Academy and Syndicate Bank.
• Oscar Fernandes:
  • Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister.
• Prakash Padukone (nearby origin):
  • Renowned badminton player (father of actress Deepika Padukone).

Quick Summary Table: