TOURIST PLACES-Udupi

TOURIST PLACES:

The places of interest mostly include temples & beaches surrounding Udupi.Apart from this one can visit St. Mary's Island which is a picturesque island near to Udupi. Commutation to this island is possible by means of steamers which you can catch in Malpe. A visit to Jog Falls could be a full day program.Bus service is the most suitable way as there are plenty of private buses running around different places.Of course if you are rich enough you can also book a taxi from Udupi :-)

In the heart of Udupi town you can visit Sri Krishna Mutt & other Astha Mutts (8 Mutts ot temples). If you are planning to visit nearby places then it is best to stay in Udupi & plan your trip to different places from here.

UDUPI

Lord Sri Krishna came to be worshipped by Shri Madvacharya  and later the other eight Swamijis of the Mutts of Udupi thereby bestowing the status of vaikunta on earth to the town of Udupi.

Enter the Capital of the Temple Town - CARSTREET, and you can see the tower of Sri Krishna Temple, with the Kanakana Kindi just below that. In the immediate vicinity of the temple is Anantheshwara and Chandra Moulishwara temples. As you enter the temple the path leads us to the sacred tank known as MADHVA SAROVARA. The Paryaya Swamiji have to bath in the tank before commencing the worship of the Lord every day.

The Statute of the chenna keshawa adornse the now closed entrance to the sanctum sanctorum ( Garbha Graha ). But at present only on the vijaya dashami day this door is opened. When you proceed to the left circumblating path become across the small room known as anuyaga shala. The hall of oblation to the fire God. The golden palanquin ( Pallankhi ) is kept in a room in front of that. On the western side is the soorya shala a hall, where the scholars recite veda, purana, ethihasa and the works of the Madhwacharya. In the evening the pipers and the musicians sing and play musical instruments to offer their services to the lord. The chinnada kone ( treasury of Jewels ) where the jewels offered to the lord right from the days of the vijayanagara empire are stored. To the right is the mantap in front of the shrine, where the holy water is offered to the devotees. Between the mantapa and the sanctum sanctorum is the small passage and window through which the devotees can have a look at the lord. This window is popularly known as NAVAGRAHA KINDI Which represents the nine planets of the universe. From the window one can see the image of LORD SRI KRISHNA as a small boy with the churning rod ( Kadagolu ) in his right hand and rope in his left. Behind the innocent look in the face is hidden the mighty power of the lord.

Every hour and day for centuries the lamps by the side of the lord have been burning and never allowed to get extinguished. To the right of this idol is another idol of sri venugopala krishna.There is a small mantap in front of the sanctum sanctotrum where the fanning of the diety with chamara before the evening pooja and the mantap pooja after the night worship is performed. These two small shrines on either side of the hall. In the north is the LORD MUKHYA PRANA and in the south of lord garuda. The paryaya swami performs the main worship rituals known as THE MAHA POOJA every noon and THE RATHRI POOJA in the night. The tulasi vrindavana is the plat form for the sacred tulasi plant. The narrow passage leads us to the throne, kitchen and dining hall known as CHOWKI. The small shrine of Sri Madhwacharya with the mudras of knowledge and fearlessness in his hands is also located here