- Known for
- Sri Krishna Math, Udupi cuisine
- Best time
- October to March
- Nearest airport
- Mangaluru (about 60 km)
- Nearest railway station
- Udupi (Konkan Railway)
- Distance from Bengaluru
- About 400 km
The Krishna Math and Udupi food
Temple routine begins before dawn with a conch blown at 4 am. Devotees view the image of Krishna through the Navagraha Kindi, a silver-covered window with nine openings. Worship is managed in turn by eight mathas, and the handover every two years, called Paryaya, is the town's biggest event. Krishnashtami, Deepavali, Ramanavami and Hanuman Jayanti also draw large crowds, and festival processions use chariots of wood, silver and gold.
The food cooked as offerings in the temple kitchens gave rise to Udupi cuisine. Try a simple temple-style meal in town, along with dosa, idli, vada and the local sambar.
Places to see
The Anantheshwara temple is among the oldest in town and is associated with Madhvacharya's teaching. St Mary's Island is traditionally said to be where Vasco da Gama first landed in 1498 before sailing on to Calicut.
- Sri Krishna Math, with the Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples beside it
- Malpe Beach, a broad sandy beach and the jetty for the islands
- St Mary's Island, with columnar basalt rocks, reached by boat from Malpe
- Kaup Beach and its lighthouse
- Kudlu Theertha Falls, a forest trek in the Western Ghats foothills
- Anegudde Vinayaka Temple, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and Jomlu Theertha Falls
Best time to visit
October to March is the most comfortable season, with dry, mild weather that suits both temple visits and the beaches. Summers are hot and humid, and the heavy coastal monsoon from June to September closes boat trips to the islands.
How to reach
Mangaluru International Airport is about 60 km south along NH 66. Udupi railway station is on the Konkan Railway, which links Mumbai with Kerala and Kanyakumari, so many long-distance trains stop here. Overnight buses connect Udupi with Bengaluru, about 400 km away, and state highways lead inland to Karkala, Dharmasthala and Sringeri. Autos and cabs are easy to find in town, though the temple area is best seen on foot. We can plan Udupi with Kollur Mookambika and a coastal Karnataka circuit.
Places to see in Udupi
SightUdupiUdupiMekekattu Nandikeshwara TempleMekekattu Nandikeshwara Temple near Barkur, Udupi: tall painted wooden warrior figures, local legends, Sankranti festivals and access.
KarnatakaRead guide →
SightUdupiUdupiSri Krishna MathaUdupi Sri Krishna Matha: darshan through the nine-holed window, the Ashta Mathas, Madhvacharya's legend, timings, dress code and access.
Best: October to MarchRead guide →Also nearby
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