Karnataka · India
Where to stay in Udupi
Udupi is a city in Karnataka, India, home to about 165,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- IXE45 km · Mangaluru International Airport
- Currency
- INRIndian rupee
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Language
- English, Hindi
About
About Udupi
Politically, Udupi had an uneventful history. It was ruled by various feudatories of the Mysore kings till it was taken over by the British, who then made it part of the administrative district of Kanara, which was then divided into South and North Kanara. Udupi was part of the former. After independence, South Kanara became Dakshina Kannada, and in 1998, Udupi district was hived off from Dakshina Kannada. Its claim to fame is as a religious and spiritual centre. Udupi is the headquarters of the Maadhva sect of Hinduism. This sect was established by the sage Madhvacharya in the 13th century.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Udupi
See
Udupi has some nice beaches, lush greenery, the quaint charm of a small town and many temples. Many of the places to visit are not very well known to many people outside of Udupi. If you are an adventurous person who loves nature, there is a lot to explore in Udupi. The heart of Udupi is undoubtedly the Krishna temple complex. It comprises of, in addition to the main temple, two other historic temples - Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara, all connected by the Ratha beedi or "chariot street", so called because on festive occasions such as the "Paryaya", the deity is taken in procession in temple chariots. The chariots themselves are usually stationed at Ratha beedi.
- Sri Krishna Temple and Mutt
- Kanakana Kindi
- Madhva Sarovara
- Anantheshwara temple
- Chandramouleshwara temple
- Malpe beach
- Manipal End-point Park
- Pajaka Kshetra
- St Mary's Island
- Udyavar Pithrodi
Do
Udupi has some great beaches, but thankfully, they aren't big water sports destinations like Goa, though there are some options. If you are the adventurous sort, you can head south to Mulki, Mangalore where the Ashram surf retreat combines surfing with spiritualism. If the mountains are what you are after, turn east to Karkala, where Agumbe and other places provide some excellent trekking opportunities. For a cultural experience, try to catch a performance of Yakshagana, a Bhoota Kola or a Naga Mandala. The latter two are essentially religious rituals, but a sight to watch. The Yakshagana is a genre of dance-drama that is native to the Karavali region.
- Paryaya
- Stay at a Houseboat
- Seethanadi Nature Camp
- Kapu Beach
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Udupi to stay in
Hotels are reasonably priced and cheap. Most hotels are concentrated around the city centre and the temple. The other option is to look for a hotel near Manipal, which is more expensive. The Paradise Island Beach Resort (see under "Do") is an option if you are looking for a beach holiday.There are many Chatra's or Choultry's in and around Shri Krishna Matha, Birla Chatra(Telephone:0820-2521624),Krishna Dhama (Telephone:0820-2522679), Vidya Samudra Choultry( Telephone:0820-2520820), Bhuvaraha guest house(Telephone:0820-2525150),Adhokshaja Mandira(0820-2524178),Vijayadwaja (Telephone:0820-2521328).
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Udupi
21 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Capital O 77266 Light House Beach Resort OYO Rooms | 13.1 km | |
| COLLECTION O 79518 Udupi Comforts OYO Rooms | 1.2 km | |
| Collection O 80071 Vijaya Residency OYO Rooms | 4.7 km | |
| Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Manipal | 5.0 km | |
| OYO 19874 Diana Hotel OYO Rooms | 0.3 km | |
| OYO 19950 Guest Nest OYO Rooms | 4.7 km | |
| OYO 22077 Hotel Manasa OYO Rooms | 9.6 km | |
| OYO 22512 Krishna Kausthubha Service Apartment OYO Rooms | 1.4 km | |
| OYO 40263 Hotel Sagar Executive OYO Rooms | 15.4 km | |
| OYO 46777 Sushma Lodge OYO Rooms | 6.1 km | |
| OYO 49294 Skyway Inn OYO Rooms | 4.6 km | |
| OYO 69765 Unnatha Residency OYO Rooms | 4.2 km | |
| OYO 74862 Shree Krishna Leela OYO Rooms | 5.5 km | |
| OYO Flagship 78939 Shambhavi Residency OYO Rooms | 0.9 km | |
| OYO Flagship 83261 Hotel Sai Sagar Manipal OYO Rooms | 5.9 km | |
| OYO Home 78653 Comfort OYO Rooms | 4.9 km | |
| Paradise Lagoon | 10.0 km | |
| Samanvay Boutique Hotel Udupi | 0.6 km | |
| SPOT ON 60650 Lake View OYO Rooms | 4.8 km | |
| SPOT ON 76848 Hotel Samruddhi Residency OYO Rooms | 4.9 km | |
| SPOT ON 79093 Hotel Half Moon OYO Rooms | 4.7 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Udupi
Udupi has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; July is the wettest, with about 1667 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Udupi: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), about 45 km from the city centre in a straight line.
Getting in
Udupi is well-connected with the cities on India's west coast. NH-66 (formerly NH-17) runs right through Udupi, connecting it to Mumbai and Goa to the North and Mangalore and Kochi to the South. Konkan Railway connects Udupi to the same cities. The city is around 406 km from Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka. Rail connectivity with Bangalore is good, but travelling by road is a good option, as you are exposed to the beauty of the nature. The road journey through Agumbe ghats is really mesmerizing. Mangalore International Airport (IXE) is 59 km from Udupi.
Getting around
Buses, cabs and auto-rickshaws are ways to get around the city. Udupi has excellent city bus services run by various private companies. Buses generally start and end at the main bus stand. There are bus stops throughout the city. Ask around. Tickets can be bought once you board or from the conductor just before boarding. Hired cabs are available, though they can't be hailed off the street. They are unmetered, but as a general guide, ₹15 per kilometre for a non-air-conditioned compact car for short distances is a good starting point.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
IXE · Mangaluru International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Udupi
Eat
The vegetarian cuisine of Udupi is famous all over India and among Indians abroad. For this reputation, it must thank the Sri Krishna temple and its traditions. The temple offers free food to everyone who wants to partake of it. The cooks have traditionally been the Brahmins belonging to the Shivalli sect, who, over the centuries, have perfected the art of cooking that adheres to "Satvik" principles. This requires not just vegetarianism but also the avoidance of onion and garlic, as these are said to excite the baser senses. In spite of these limitations, the food of Udupi tastes great, with subtle flavours.
Drink
It is fair to say that Udupi, being a temple town, is not a great place to have alcoholic drinks, and this sleepy town is not known for a vibrant night life. Manipal, however, is a short hop away from the city centre, famous for its student population, and this is where you go if you want a drink. You can try the unfermented toddy which is tapped in the early morning from coconut trees. This can usually be found near the beaches. Be very careful about the quality and safety, however.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Udupi: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Udupi?
Udupi has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. April is the warmest month, with average highs of 34 °C; July is the wettest, with about 1667 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Udupi?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), about 45 km from the city centre in a straight line.
What currency is used in Udupi?
Indian rupee (INR).
Nearby
Destinations near Udupi
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.