Udupi is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Situated at a distance of 400 KMs from Bangalore, Udupi is the ideal destination for a quick weekend break. The term ‘Udupi’ is synonymous with vegetarian cuisine. It has its origin linked to Sri Krishna Temple, one of the most visited pilgrimages of Karnataka. Udupi is well connected by State highways, Railways, Airports (Mangalore International Airport), and ports (Malpe). Udupi welcomes everyone with open arms.
Pro Tip: It is always advisable to book tickets early to avoid last-minute glitches. The ticket price for an AC Sleeper range between INR 1000 – INR 1200 per head for a comfortable 8-hour journey. The descent at Udupi bus stand is around 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM. The bus stand has a lot of connecting options to a drop to the booked place of stay.
Udupi has plenty to offer to travel enthusiasts through its lush greenery, series of historic temples, long stretches of beach, quaint charm of the city & the serene atmosphere. While we opted for the KSRTC Airavat services are to Udupi, a road trip is also much sought after. Bangalore to Udupi via road is an 8-hour drive, covering around 400 KM’s via the NH 75. To save the hassle, we had decided to take a bus instead.
Places to stay in Udupi:
Udupi has plenty of options for all tourists. Ranging from luxury resorts with private beaches to standard hotels, there is a lot to choose from. After much deliberation, we chose Paradise Lagoon Udupi, as our stay option. Paradise Lagoon Resort, Udupi overlooks a lagoon between the Suvarna river & the Laccadive Sea and we highly recommend the same. We took an hour to reach the resort from the bus stand.
The resort has a flawless check-in process and very helpful staff. The beauty of the place is unparalleled, exactly what we had asked for. Paradise Lagoon resort also offers a 2 bedroom houseboat with a sundeck. What’s more, the resort comes to life once sunset occurs. Coconut trees swaying with the coastal breeze, the calmness of the infinity pool, the sound of crickets in the background & the tiny glittering lights dotted along the stone-paved pathways – all lend a magical touch. We spent the entire evening looking into the vast expanse of the lagoon and enjoying each other’s company. The first day of our trip ended as we retired into the luxury of our suite while preparing for the adventures that lay ahead.
Top 5 places to visit in Udupi:
1. Visit St. Mary’s Island – Udupi has a lot to offer to the travel enthusiast. One of the most prominent places to visit include St. Mary’s Island. St. Mary’s Islands is a set of 4 small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe. It is famous for its distinctive geological formation of columnar basaltic lava. St. Mary’s Islands is also one of the 32 National Geological Monuments of India, as declared by the Geological Survey of India & an important site for Geo-Tourism.
Legend has it that in the year 1498, Vasco da Gama landed at St. Mary’s Island’s on his journey from Portugal before proceeding to Kozhikode, Kerela. A ferry ride from the fishing harbor to these secluded islands add to the charm. Taking a dip in the azure water & white sand beach is the icing on the cake. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea in the background adds to the elegance of the place.
2. Visit Malpe beach – Malpe Beach is another hotspot in Udupi. It is associated with settlements of the Mogaveera fishermen community, Malpe also serves as an important port major fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast. Street vendors line the beach with varieties of food on offer. A range of water activities like the Banana ride, Jetski & Parasailing is there for the enthusiasts to try their hands at. Malpe beach is one of the top tourist attractions at Udupi and has tourists round the year. As the sun sets, the beach road comes alive with food joints. If you stay in some resort nearby, the evening stroll along the beach is not to be missed. The gentle sound of the waves kissing the shore with the gurgling sound of the water makes it an amazing experience.
3. Visit the Kaup Beach & Kapu Lighthouse – Grab quick lunch at one fo the restaurants lining the beach and make your way to the Kaup Beach – which lies between Udupi & Mangalore. Famous for the Kapu Lighthouse – built-in 1901, which stands testimony to guidance & warnings provided to innumerable brave sailors.
Quoted often as one of the places straight out of a fairy tale, the white sand beach is one of the best maintained and cleanest of all tourist beaches. With a towering height of 27 meters, the steep spiral staircases of the lighthouse is a must try. The effort pays dividends due to the views from the top. The entire panoramic view from the top is so fascinating that it feels straight out of a painting. Post descent, we witnessed the sunset transforming the entire beach into a dreamy affair by engulfing it with a golden & orange hue. This was indeed one of the highlights of the entire trip. While we returned to the comfort of our resort after our days’ journey, our hearts were filled with the memories made.
4. Enjoy the entire beach to yourself at Hoode beach: A trip to Udupi is incomplete without a walk down the white sand beach nearest to the resort we were staying – Hoode beach. The feeling of euphoria engulfed us to have the entire beach to ourselves. One of those quaint beaches are stuff dreams are made of. Make it a point to include either of the weekdays in your itinerary and visit the beach on those days. We found the entire beach to ourselves, and we were overjoyed! Post lunch, we decided to check out and head to the main town to pay a visit to the renowned Krishna temple.
5. Visit Sri Krishna Temple – Udupi is famous for the historical Krishna Matha – established by one of the greatest Hindu saints, Madhavacharya. The architecture of the temple follows the typical Kerala style and presents several layers surrounding the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees can have a glimpse of Lord Krishna through an inner window (Navagraha kindi) & the outer window (Kanakana kindi) Adjoining the same stands another historical temple – Udupi Anantheshwara Temple which is over 1,000 years old.
What to eat at Udupi:
Famous in the temple complex are eateries serving the famous ‘Udupi’ cuisine. Do eat to your heart’s content with delicacies like crispy Masale Dosa, Upma, Idli Vada & ‘Gole Bajje‘.
Udupi is the birthplace of the Syndicate Bank & Corporate Bank with the prominence of small scale industries like cashew & milk gaining prominence. Unfazed by a fading hand-loom sari industry, Udupi is fast becoming a major town in Karnataka. While we boarded our bus for the overnight journey to Bangalore, we were overwhelmed at the magnificence of the coastal town and all the memories made over the short trip.
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