UDUPI KSHETRA

This part of the land is called Tulunadu and Parashurama Kshetra said to be a part of Saptakonkana which Parashurama created out of sea.

Udupi formerly was called Shivabelli(shivalli), Mahesharajatha. The word Udupi is from Udapa meaning the moon. As per mythology Chandra meditated on Shiva and got Sakshatkara from him. Hence, the name and connection with the founding of Chandramouleshwara Temple. There is also another interpretation. The Rajabhoja had invited Parashurama to perform Aswamedha Sacrifice and he had Rajata peeta ( a silver plank) for him to sit. It is believed to have disappeared into Pathala after the sacrifice. A Linga shaped stone appeared at that place and it is told that it has the Sanidhya (presence) of Parashurama in it. It is the same Ananthasana or Anantheswara of today. It is Ananthasana which is representation of god Sri Parashurama. He is Udupi’s ancient God Padmanabha roopi, Paramatma in Linga form. It is here that Sri Madwacharya conducted his lessons and pravachanas. Even today, the tradition of the paryaya Mutt to visit Anantheswara first and then enter Krishna temple later is still followed.

According to legend, Rukmini Devi worshipped idol at Dwaraka. When Krishna disappeared after accomplishing the mission of his incarnation, Arjuna deposited the idol in Rukmini Vana. It was not there for long. The idol was carried by sailors from Dwaraka along the west coast and reached Malpe. Following a storm the sailors cried for help. Madhwacharya who was meditating on the shore waved a piece of loin cloth and calmed the temptest. In return for the help the captain of the ship requested Madhwacharya to accept some gifts as a mark of gratitude. The Acharya accepted the idol of Krishna as a gift and installed it in the temple. Makara Sankaranthi is celebrated here in Udupi with 3 chariots being drawn simultaneously to honour the occasion of this sacred installation of Lord Krishna here by Sri Madhwacharya and arranged for puja by the Swamys of 8 mutts every two months. He also brought and installed Garuda and Mukhya Prana in the mutt.

Madhwa sarovar in the Krishna temple is a stone built tank with a stone mantap in the centre. Once in 12 years the tank is believed to be visited by Ganga Bhageerathi. Within the temple pemises there is a Nagalaya or Subramanya temple founded by Sri Vadiraja Swamy.

IMPORTANT UTSAVAS

Sri Krishna Jayanthi and Paryaya Mahotsava are major festivals here. Others are :

1.) Saptotsava is celebrated five days from Makara Sankranthi day.

2.) Vasanthotsava commencing from Chaitra Shudda pratipad to Vasantha Dwadasi.

3.) Krishna leelotsava : Krshnastami in simha masa and the next day.

4.) Laksha Deepotsava from Karthika sudha Dwadasi to fullmoon day.

5.) Madhwanavami , Hanuman Jayanthi , Paryaya Mahotsava.

UDUPI MUTT – VAISHNAVA BRINDAVANS

The premises of the Udupi has 45 mula bindavanas belonging to several astamathas. The very old brindavana is that of Vageesha Thirtha (19th of Sode mutt). It is he who initiated Sri Vadiraja into Sanyasa order at his age of 8 ( 1488, 15th century)