Udupi Travel Guide
The comfortable window is October to March , when the coast is cool, dry and calm. The southwest monsoon from about June to September brings heavy rain and stops the St Mary's...
When to visit Udupi, and why the monsoon changes the plan
The comfortable window is October to March, when the coast is cool, dry and calm. The southwest monsoon from about June to September brings heavy rain and stops the St Mary's Islands boats, so it reshapes any trip built around the beaches.
- October to March: the calm, dry windowThis is the season to come. The sea is calm, the rain has gone, and the days are warm rather than fierce, which suits the temple, Malpe and the boat to St Mary's Islands. The cooler weeks around December and January are the most pleasant, and the boats run reliably, weather permitting.
- June to September: the heavy monsoonThe coast takes a serious soaking in these months, and crucially the St Mary's boats are suspended when the sea is rough, commonly from about mid-May to about mid or late September. The temple, the town and the food are all still there and the landscape is lush, but plan around the rain and do not count on the island.
- March to May: hot and humidPre-monsoon coastal heat builds through these months, humid and sticky, with temperatures that can reach the high thirties Celsius. The boats still run early in this window, but the middle of the day is tiring, so do the beach and the boat in the morning and keep the afternoon for the temple and a meal.
- Decide around the boatIf St Mary's Islands is high on your list, the season decides your dates: come October to March for the surest chance, and treat a monsoon visit as a temple-and-town trip with the island as a maybe. Build the rest of the plan around that single fact and you will not be disappointed.
The single thing that catches Udupi visitors out is arriving in the monsoon expecting to take the boat to St Mary's Islands. The service is suspended when the sea is rough, commonly from about mid-May to about mid or late September, and even in the shoulder weeks the boats run only when the sea allows. If your dates fall in the monsoon, reconfirm with the Malpe boat operator before you build a day around the island, and have a temple, Manipal and food plan ready instead.
How to reach Udupi
Udupi sits on the Konkan Railway with its own station, on the NH66 coastal highway, and about an hour and a half north of Mangaluru, the nearest airport. Most travellers come by train or bus, or fly into Mangaluru and drive up.
- By train on the Konkan RailwayUdupi has its own station on the scenic Konkan Railway, which makes it easy to reach by train from Mumbai, Goa, Karwar and Mangaluru. It is one of the simplest ways in, and the coastal stretch of the line is a lovely ride in itself. Book ahead in the busy October to March season.
- By air via MangaluruThe nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport at Bajpe, about 55 to 60 km to the south, with domestic flights and some Gulf connections. From the airport it is a road transfer of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours up the coast, and we can arrange a car with an experienced driver.
- By road and busUdupi is on NH66 with good bus links. From Bengaluru it is an overnight run of roughly about 8 to 9 hours by KSRTC or private coach, and from Mangaluru it is a short hop of about 1.5 to 2 hours. Self-drive from Mangaluru or Goa along the coast is straightforward and very pretty.
- From Goa down the coastMany travellers reach Udupi as part of a coastal run down from Goa through Gokarna and Murudeshwar, by the Konkan train or by road. It slots naturally onto that itinerary, and the temple-and-beach pairing is a gentle contrast to the party coast further north.
Fly into a major hub such as Bengaluru or Mumbai, then connect to Mangaluru by air or take the Konkan train, and drive or ride the last stretch to Udupi. There are no international flights into Udupi itself.
Fly into Mangaluru International Airport, which has some Gulf connections, then it is a road transfer of about 1.5 to 2 hours up the coast to Udupi. This is the quickest way in for many NRI travellers from the Gulf.
Take the Konkan Railway to Udupi from Mumbai, Goa or Mangaluru, or an overnight bus from Bengaluru, about 8 to 9 hours. The train is the most comfortable way in and the coastal scenery is part of the trip.
The Sri Krishna Matha, the nine-hole window, and how darshan works
The heart of Udupi is the Sri Krishna Matha, founded by Madhvacharya in about the 13th century. The idol faces west, and you take darshan through a silver window with nine holes, the Kanakana Kindi. A few rules and the free meal hall are worth knowing before you go.
- The temple and its founderThe Krishna Matha at Car Street was founded by the saint-philosopher Madhvacharya in about the 13th century and is the seat of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. Entry is free and there is no paid VIP queue, so everyone joins the same line. The atmosphere is devotional and busy rather than grand, and the surrounding mathas and Car Street are part of the experience.
- The Kanakana Kindi: the nine-hole windowThe Krishna idol is unusual in facing west, and devotees take darshan through a small silver-plated window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kindi or Kanakana Kindi. The tradition links it to the saint Kanakadasa, who was barred from entering and prayed at the western wall, after which the idol is said to have turned west to give him darshan. You view the deity through this window, so move with the queue and look for it on the western side.
- Timings and the midday breakThe temple is open for darshan from roughly about 5 am to about 9 pm, with a ritual break in the early afternoon, commonly cited as roughly about 1 pm to 3 pm. Timings shift around festivals and special rituals, so come in the morning or the late afternoon and reconfirm on the day rather than arriving at the break.
- The dress codeDress is traditional and modest. Men are typically expected to remove the shirt and wear a dhoti or veshti in the inner area and to avoid shorts, while women wear a saree, churidar or other modest dress. Shorts and sleeveless tops are discouraged at the shrine, so carry a layer or a wrap if you are coming from the beach.
The Krishna Matha serves a free vegetarian meal, the annadana or prasad bhojana, to everyone who comes, regardless of faith, eaten seated on the floor off a banana leaf. Lunch is commonly served from roughly about 11:30 am to about 1 pm and again in the evening. The food is simple and saatvik, rice, sambar, rasam and a sweet payasam, and joining it is one of the most memorable and most overlooked things to do in Udupi. Wash your hands, sit where you are shown, and eat with your right hand.
St Mary's Islands and Malpe Beach
Malpe is the breezy beach just outside town and the launch point for St Mary's Islands, a National Geological Monument of strange volcanic rock columns. The catch is the monsoon: the boats stop when the sea is rough, so the season matters.
- St Mary's Islands and the rock columnsSt Mary's Islands, reached by boat from Malpe, is a National Geological Monument recognised by the Geological Survey of India and is on UNESCO's Tentative List. The draw is the columns of solidified rhyolitic lava, a rare formation thought to be linked to the ancient breakup of India from Madagascar. The boat ride takes roughly about 15 to 20 minutes each way, and there is no shade or shop on the island, so carry water and a hat.
- The boat: fare, timings and the one-hour capThe round-trip fare is commonly about 300 to 450 rupees per adult and about 150 to 300 rupees per child, set by the operators rather than a fixed government tariff, so treat it as indicative. Boats typically run between roughly about 9 am and about 5 pm, with the last boat out earlier if the sea turns, and you are often capped at about one hour on the island, which is the most common gripe, so use the time well.
- Malpe Beach and water sportsMalpe is only about 6 km from Udupi town, a wide, breezy beach with food shacks and a promenade. Private operators run parasailing, jet-ski and banana-boat rides at prices that vary by package, commonly from about 1,000 rupees upward, mostly in the dry season and weather permitting. It is an easy half-day even if you skip the island.
- Getting to MalpeFrom Udupi town it is a short auto-rickshaw or bus hop of about 6 km to Malpe. Go in the morning for the calmest sea and the first boats, buy your boat ticket at the jetty, and keep an eye on the return time so you are not stranded by an early last boat.
The boat service to St Mary's Islands is suspended during the monsoon when the sea is rough, commonly from about mid-May to about mid or late September. A visit in June, July, August or early September often simply cannot happen, and even in the shoulder weeks the boats run only when the sea allows. The reliable season is about October to March. If your dates are tight or fall in the rains, reconfirm with the Malpe operator before you build a day around the island, and have Manipal and the temple ready as a plan B.
Beyond the temple: Manipal, Kaup and the coast
Udupi is more than the Krishna Matha. A short ride away are Manipal's viewpoint and heritage museum, the Kaup lighthouse, and quiet beaches, enough to fill a second day without rushing.
- Manipal: End Point and Hasta ShilpaManipal, the university town, is only about 5 to 6 km away. End Point is a breezy viewpoint over the Swarna river valley, best at sunset, and the Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village is an open-air museum of relocated heritage houses worth a slow hour or two. The museum charges about 300 rupees for adults, opens roughly about 10 am to 5 pm with last entry at about 3:45 pm, and is closed on Mondays, so plan around that.
- Kaup beach and the lighthouseKaup, about 12 to 16 km south, has a quieter beach than Malpe and a lighthouse built in 1901. The lighthouse is usually opened to the public only for a short window in the late afternoon for a small fee of roughly about 10 to 20 rupees, and the climb gives a wide view of the coast. The beach itself is free and open through the day.
- Car Street and the mathasAround the Krishna Matha, Car Street and the eight Ashta Mathas form the old religious core of Udupi. The nearby Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples are quieter and older feeling, and a slow walk through this zone in the early morning, before the crowds, is one of the gentle pleasures of the town.
- Sunset on the coastThe west-facing coast gives a reliable sunset, and Malpe, Kaup and the smaller beaches all deliver it. Pick one, arrive with time to spare, and let the day wind down by the water. It is the natural close to a Udupi day after the temple and a meal.
The Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village in Manipal is one of the most rewarding stops near Udupi and one of the most missed by visitors who only do the temple and the beach. It is an open-air collection of traditional houses moved here and restored, with art galleries inside. Remember it is closed on Mondays and stops admitting visitors well before it shuts, with last entry at about 3:45 pm, so go in the morning or early afternoon rather than late in the day.
Paryaya: the festival to know about, and when it falls
Paryaya is the biennial handover of the Krishna Matha between the eight Ashta Mathas, held in mid-January every two years. It fills the town with processions and crowds, and knowing where it sits in the cycle helps you plan around it.
- What Paryaya isParyaya is the ceremonial handover of the administration of the Krishna Matha from one of the eight Ashta Mathas to the next, held in mid-January once every two years. It is a major event for Udupi, with processions, a ritual dip, and the new pontiff taking charge of the temple for a two-year term.
- Where the cycle is nowThe most recent Paryaya took place on about 18 January 2026, when Shiroor Matha took charge for the 2026 to 2028 term. That means the next Paryaya falls in about January 2028, when the matha next in the rotation is expected to take over. Because announcements come closer to the date, treat the next matha as expected and reconfirm nearer the time.
- What it means for a visitIf you come during a Paryaya, expect large crowds, processions through Car Street, and rooms in short supply, so book well ahead. The atmosphere is extraordinary, but it is not a quiet, contemplative time at the temple. Outside the Paryaya window, the town is calmer and the darshan queue is easier.
- Smaller festivals through the yearBeyond Paryaya, Krishna Janmashtami and the Udupi Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, usually in August or September, are vivid and busy, with the famous Mosaru Kudike pot-breaking. These too bring crowds, so check the calendar and book ahead if your dates are near a festival.
The verified facts are that Shiroor Matha took charge at the Paryaya on about 18 January 2026 for the 2026 to 2028 term, and that the next Paryaya therefore falls in about January 2028. The specific matha that takes over in 2028 follows the fixed rotation of the eight Ashta Mathas, but the formal announcement comes closer to the date, so we present it as expected rather than fixed and recommend you reconfirm with the Krishna Matha nearer the time.
Where to stay in Udupi, and whether to base in Mangaluru
Stay near the temple and Car Street to be in the heart of the old town, near Malpe for the beach, or in Manipal for a quieter, smarter feel. Two days covers Udupi comfortably, and Mangaluru works only if you need its airport.
- Near the temple and Car StreetStaying in the temple zone puts you walking distance from the Krishna Matha, the morning darshan and the food. It is busy and devotional rather than scenic, and rooms range from simple pilgrim lodges to comfortable mid-range hotels. Best for first-timers who want the temple at the centre of the trip.
- Near Malpe BeachA handful of beachside hotels and resorts sit near Malpe, better for the sea, sunsets and the boat, with a short hop into town for the temple. Good for couples and families who want the beach as the base, and the natural choice if St Mary's is your priority.
- Manipal: quieter and smarterManipal, the university town a few kilometres away, has more modern hotels, cafes and a calmer feel, with End Point and the museum on the doorstep. A good base if you want a little polish and do not mind a short ride to the temple and the beach.
- Udupi or Mangaluru as a baseBase in Udupi for the temple, Malpe and Manipal. Mangaluru is about 1.5 to 2 hours south and is worth a base only if you are flying in or out of its airport, or want a bigger city for a night. The two are easy to combine, so most travellers sleep in Udupi and use Mangaluru only for the airport.
Udupi costs and a realistic daily budget
Udupi is gentle on the wallet. The temple and its meal are free, the paid sights are cheap, and the only real variable is the boat and the water sports at Malpe. Here is what the main things cost so you can plan.
- The free and the cheapThe Krishna Matha is free to enter and serves a free meal, the beaches are free, and the paid sights are cheap: the Hasta Shilpa museum is about 300 rupees for adults and about 150 rupees for students, and the Kaup lighthouse is a small fee of roughly about 10 to 20 rupees. Udupi is one of the better-value stops on the coast.
- The boat and the water sportsThe St Mary's round-trip boat is commonly about 300 to 450 rupees per adult and about 150 to 300 rupees per child. Water sports at Malpe such as parasailing or jet-ski are run by private operators at prices that vary by package, commonly from about 1,000 rupees upward, so agree the price and the activity before you start.
- A rough daily budgetExcluding your room and long-distance transport, a budget traveller can do Udupi comfortably on modest spending because the temple, the meal and the beaches cost nothing; a mid-range day with the boat, the museum, autos and a couple of restaurant meals is still inexpensive by Indian-coast standards. The boat and any water sports are the main discretionary cost.
- Cash, cards and UPIRestaurants and hotels take cards and UPI, but the boat jetty, the autos, the small eateries and the beach vendors run on cash, so carry enough for the day. There are bank ATMs in Udupi town and Manipal, so topping up is easy.
Udupi is unusual in that its two headline experiences, the temple darshan and the free meal, cost nothing, so a day here can be remarkably cheap. The only meaningful spends are the St Mary's boat at about 300 to 450 rupees an adult, the Malpe water sports from about 1,000 rupees upward, the Hasta Shilpa museum at about 300 rupees, and your autos and food. Agree the boat and water-sports prices at the jetty before you commit, and the town has no real money traps.
Practical logistics: food, getting around, money and SIM
The small things that make a Udupi day smooth, from where to eat the real saatvik food to autos, buses, rental bikes and money.
- Where to eat authentic Udupi foodUdupi cuisine grew out of the temple kitchens and is strictly vegetarian and saatvik, traditionally cooked without onion or garlic. For an authentic plate, long-running eateries near the temple such as Mitra Samaj, the Woodlands lineage and Hotel Diana, known for its goli baje, are where many travellers go. Come early for the dosa and the morning crowd.
- Getting around without a carYou can do Udupi without a car. Auto-rickshaws handle the short hops to Malpe, Manipal and the bus stand, town buses and KSRTC reach Kaup and beyond, and scooter or motorbike rental is available for those comfortable riding. For Malpe and Manipal in particular, an auto is quick and cheap.
- Money and ATMsBank ATMs are easy to find in Udupi town and Manipal. Carry cash for the boat jetty, the autos, the beach vendors and small eateries, even though restaurants and hotels take cards and UPI. Small notes are useful for the autos and the temple.
- SIM, signal and languageMobile coverage in Udupi and Manipal is good for calls, data and maps. Kannada and Tulu are the local languages, with Konkani on the coast, but English and Hindi are widely understood in the tourist and student trade, so getting by is easy.
Safety, the sea, and staying well
Udupi is a calm, family-friendly town with little of the hassle of bigger destinations. The real risks are the sea and the sun rather than crime, so a little care at the beach goes a long way.
- Respect the seaThe coast here has rip currents and sudden drop-offs, and the water can look calmer than it is. Swim only where it is shallow and others are swimming, never in the monsoon swell, and keep a close eye on children. The boat to St Mary's runs only when the sea allows, which is the operator protecting you, not an inconvenience.
- Sun, heat and waterThe coastal sun and humidity are draining, especially March to May. Carry water, wear a hat and sunscreen for the beaches and the boat, and pace the middle of the day. Drink bottled or filtered water and take the usual care with street food, though the temple meal and the established eateries are generally safe.
- Everyday safetyUdupi is a low-key, religious town and is generally very safe, including for families and solo travellers. Normal precautions apply: keep valuables close in crowds at the temple and on festival days, agree auto and boat fares in advance, and watch your footing on the wet rocks at St Mary's.
- Temple etiquette as part of staying welcomeDress modestly at the Krishna Matha and the other temples, remove footwear where asked, follow the queue, and ask before photographing people at prayer. Being respectful keeps the welcome warm and is part of travelling well in a town built around its temple.
Udupi is one of the gentler, safer stops on the Karnataka coast, well used to students, pilgrims and independent travellers, and most solo and female visitors find it relaxed. Standard precautions apply: dress modestly near the temples, prefer the busier areas after dark, and agree fares in advance. The main thing to respect is the sea, not the streets.
Udupi for every kind of traveller, and on access
Udupi suits very different visitors in different ways, from pilgrims to foodies to families. Here is what it offers you and the one tip that matters for each, including how a senior does it comfortably.
- Families with childrenEasy and varied: the temple, the free meal, Malpe Beach and the boat, with Manipal's museum for a change of pace. Watch children closely at the beach and on the wet rocks at St Mary's, and go to Malpe in the morning for the calmest sea.
- CouplesSlow and unflashy: a sunset at End Point or Malpe, the boat to the rock columns in season, and quiet meals of saatvik food. An overnight rather than a day trip lets you catch both a temple morning and a coast evening.
- Senior travellers and on accessibilityVery doable with planning. Stay near the temple to limit walking, do the darshan in the cooler morning, take an auto rather than walk between sights, and skip the boat to St Mary's if the sea is rough or the rocks feel risky. The temple queue can be long on festival days, so come on a normal weekday for an easier visit.
- FoodiesThis is the home of saatvik Udupi cuisine and the masala dosa tradition. Eat early at Mitra Samaj or a Woodlands-lineage hotel, try the goli baje at Hotel Diana, and do not miss the free temple meal off a banana leaf, which is the most authentic plate of all.
- Backpackers and budget travellersExcellent value: a free temple and meal, cheap sights, easy buses and autos, and a Konkan train connection. Pair it with Gokarna and Murudeshwar up the coast for a low-cost coastal-Karnataka run.
- Pilgrims and the devoutUdupi is a major Madhva centre, with the Krishna Matha, the eight Ashta Mathas and the older Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples all within walking distance. Time your visit for a normal week if you want an unhurried darshan, and for a festival if you want the spectacle.
A suggested Udupi itinerary, and how many days
Two days covers Udupi comfortably, one for the temple and town and one for the coast and Manipal. Here is how to shape them so the sea is calm and the temple is open when you arrive.
- Day one: temple and townStart early at the Krishna Matha for the morning darshan and the Kanakana Kindi before the queue builds, then walk Car Street and the older Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples. Take the free temple meal at lunchtime, rest through the heat, and end with a quiet evening in the old town.
- Day two: coast and ManipalGo to Malpe in the morning for the calmest sea and the first boat to St Mary's Islands, in season. After lunch, head to Manipal for End Point and the Hasta Shilpa museum, remembering it is closed on Mondays and stops admitting visitors at about 3:45 pm, then close the day with a coastal sunset.
- How many daysTwo days and one or two nights is the sweet spot. One full day just about covers the temple and the beach if you are tight, but you will miss Manipal or Kaup. Add a third day only if you want to slow right down or use Udupi as a base for the wider coast.
- Combining up the coastUdupi pairs naturally with Gokarna and Murudeshwar to the north and Mangaluru to the south. A common run is Mangaluru, Udupi, Murudeshwar, Gokarna and on to Goa, by Konkan train or by road, giving each a day or two.
Two things break a tight Udupi plan: arriving at Malpe to find the sea too rough for the boat, and reaching the temple during its early-afternoon break, roughly about 1 pm to 3 pm. Do the boat early in the morning when the sea is calmest, keep the temple for the morning or the later afternoon, and slot the free meal and a rest into the middle of the day. Plan it this way and you will not stand at a shut gate or an empty jetty with the clock running.
The real questions travellers ask about Udupi
Straight answers to the questions that come up again and again on traveller forums, so you arrive already knowing the score.
- Is it worth visiting in June, and will the boat be running?Udupi is worth it any time for the temple, the food and the town, but in June the St Mary's boats are usually suspended for the monsoon, commonly from about mid-May to about mid or late September. Come for the temple and Manipal in the rains and treat the island as a maybe, or visit October to March for the surest boat.
- How much is the boat, and is one hour enough?The round trip is commonly about 300 to 450 rupees an adult, set by the operators, and you are often capped at about one hour on the island. It is enough to walk the rock columns and take it in, but not to linger, so go early, carry water, and accept the cap as part of the deal.
- How does the temple darshan and the dress code work?Entry is free, everyone joins one queue, and you take darshan of the west-facing idol through the nine-hole Kanakana Kindi window. Men are typically expected to remove the shirt and wear a dhoti in the inner area, and women wear modest dress; shorts and sleeveless tops are discouraged.
- Can I eat the free meal, even as a foreigner?Yes. The annadana meal at the Krishna Matha is served free to everyone regardless of faith, eaten off a banana leaf, commonly from roughly about 11:30 am to about 1 pm and again in the evening. Sit where you are shown and eat with your right hand; it is one of the best things to do in Udupi.
- Udupi or Mangaluru as a base, and how many days?Base in Udupi for the temple, Malpe and Manipal, and use Mangaluru only for its airport or a city night, since the two are about 1.5 to 2 hours apart. Two days and a night or two is the right length for Udupi itself.
- Can I combine Udupi with Gokarna and Murudeshwar?Yes, and many do. Udupi sits on the coastal run between Mangaluru and Gokarna, linked by the Konkan train and NH66. Give Murudeshwar and Gokarna a day each; onward bus connections exist but can be slow, so the train or a hired car is smoother.
Planning Udupi from abroad
Udupi is an easy, authentic coastal-temple stop on a wider South India or coastal-Karnataka trip, and the temple welcomes everyone. A little preparation on etiquette and timing makes it simple to plan from overseas.
- Yes, the temple welcomes youThe Krishna Matha is open to visitors of all faiths, including foreign travellers, and so is the free meal hall. Dress modestly, follow the queue, and take darshan of the west-facing idol through the nine-hole window like everyone else. Being respectful of the dress code and the rituals is all that is asked.
- Fly into Mangaluru, then drive upMangaluru International Airport, about 55 to 60 km south, has domestic and some Gulf connections, and is the nearest air gateway, a road transfer of about 1.5 to 2 hours. From further afield, connect through Bengaluru or Mumbai. The Konkan Railway is also a comfortable and scenic way in.
- Time it to the dry seasonCome about October to March for calm seas, working boats to St Mary's and pleasant days. The monsoon from about June to September is heavy on the coast and stops the boats, so if the island matters, keep to the dry window.
- Slot it into a coastal runUdupi pairs naturally with Gokarna, Murudeshwar and Mangaluru, and with a wider Karnataka or Goa-to-Kerala coastal trip. Give it two days, and let it be the quiet, deeply authentic temple-and-beach chapter between the bigger names.
Money, connectivity and timing for foreign visitors
The practical basics an overseas traveller needs for a small coastal town: cash, cards, a SIM, and how long to give Udupi on a wider India trip.
- Carry cash, but cards work tooRestaurants and hotels take cards and UPI, but the boat jetty, the autos, the beach vendors and small eateries are cash places. Draw cash at the ATMs in Udupi town or Manipal and keep small notes for autos and the temple. Prices for the boat and water sports are best agreed in cash at the jetty.
- Get a SIM at the airportPick up an Indian tourist SIM or an eSIM when you land in Bengaluru, Mumbai or Mangaluru rather than hunting for one in a small town. Coverage in Udupi and Manipal is good for maps, calls and ride-hailing within town.
- How long to give itOn a wider South India or coastal-Karnataka trip, two days in Udupi is the right weight: enough for the temple, the free meal, Malpe and Manipal, without slowing the whole itinerary. Add a third only if you want to use it as a base for the wider coast.
- Reconfirm the volatile thingsBoat fares, water-sports prices, the museum and lighthouse fees and the temple timings all drift, so use our figures as a guide and reconfirm on the day. In the monsoon, always check the boat status before building a day around St Mary's Islands.
Udupi is an unusually gentle introduction to the Indian coast: small, walkable, deeply authentic, and built around a temple that feeds everyone for free. Slot it between Mangaluru and Gokarna, give it two days, and let it be the calm, soulful chapter of a coastal trip. Many overseas visitors say the free meal off a banana leaf, eaten beside local pilgrims, ends up being the moment they remember most warmly.
Why the Udupi Krishna faces west, through a window of nine holes
The most loved story in Udupi is of the saint Kanakadasa, a Haridasa poet of the 16th century who, by the custom of his time, was not allowed to enter the inner shrine of the Krishna Matha. Undeterred, he stood at the western wall behind the temple and sang to the Lord with such devotion that, the tradition holds, the wall cracked open and the idol of Krishna, which had always faced east, turned to face west so that Kanakadasa could see his god. To this day the deity faces west, and pilgrims take darshan through the small silver-plated window of nine holes set into that western wall, the Navagraha Kindi, also remembered as the Kanakana Kindi, the window of Kanakadasa. It is a story about devotion outweighing rank, and standing at that little window, looking through it at the west-facing Krishna, is the quiet heart of a visit to Udupi.
Tour packages that visit Udupi
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