May 24, 2012

Malpe:ಮಲ್ಪೆ


ಮಲ್ಪೆ (Malpe) is a natural port about six kilometers to the west of Udupi, Karnataka, India. Its an important port and fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast, ಮಲ್ಪೆ(Malpe) is situated at the mouth of the Udyavara river.Malpe is part of Kodavoor Grama. It is a suburb in Udupi city.





Malpe Fishing Harbour situated at Sea shore of Arabean Sea and it is a natural Port and Mainly for Fishing and Boat Anchoring. This is Malpe's main business centre and its economy depends on this business.







St. Mary's Islands also known as Coconut Island, are a set of four small islands in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka, India.There is a very interesting story behind the name of this group of islands. According to folk lore, the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed here in 1498 during his exploratory voyage to India. He fixed a cross on one of the islands and named it El Padron de Santa Maria, as a dedication to Mother Mary. The current name stems from this very title that Gama gave to the islands.






Its a 20minute ride in sea from Malpe fish harbor, and it looks like :







While on the island, tourist can collect shells, walk along the coast or simply sit on the rocks and gaze over miles and miles of the azure limitless ocean. The western coastline of the islands is a seashell paradise with shells of assorted shapes and sizes littered along the shore. The islands defy the conventional definition of a beach as a place to swim and laze around. The whole area is scattered with basaltic rocks and flat slabs to sit and enjoy the serenity of the place. Security guards keep vigil on tourists to ensure that they do not
venture beyond safety zones.







May 19, 2012

ಉಡುಪಿ -Udupi

This summer we had planned for ಉಡುಪಿ which ~450km from Bengaluru.It is a town in the south-west Indian State of Karnataka.

Udupi, an important Teerthasthal (pilgrimage place) with its historical Krishna Temple is the cultural center of Karnataka. It is best known as the seat of Madhwa renaissance, founded by the sage Madhwacharya, outcome of which are Ashtamathas, located in the famous Car Street, surrounding the Sri Krishna Temple. Udupi, known else where as a Temple City is the headquarters of the district, known world over to the millions of connoisseurs of food as the birth place of Udupi Hotels.

In the 16th century during Sri Vaadiraja's administration, Kanakadasa an ardent believer of God came to Udupi to worship Lord Krishna. He was not allowed inside the Mutt since he was from the caste other than Brahmin, as during that time only Brahmin's had the privilege of entering the Mutt to offer pooja to the God.

He tried to see Lord Krishna from a small window, but was only able to see Lord Krishna from the back. It is believed that Sri Krishna, pleased by the bhakti (devotion) of Kanakadasa turned to face the window. This window came to be known as Kanakana Kindi. To this day, the deity of Lord Krishna faces the back of the Mutt towards the Kanakana Kindi. All Hindu temples have their Vigraha (Deity) facing the entrance of the temple, except Krishna Mutt.





Kanakana Kindi is decorated with carvings depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Through the nine small holes of the window we see the deity of Sri Krishna as a very young boy. He holds the churning rod in His right hand and rope in his left. The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in UdupiAccording to folklore, there was a storm in the sea at Malpe. Shri Madhvacharya was on the shore at the time and saw a ship which was in trouble. He helped the ship reach the shore to safety. The sailors were very grateful to him and gave him deities of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama. He did the pratishte (installation ceremony) of the deity of Lord Balarama near Malpe. This temple is known as Vadabhandeshwara. He brought the deity of Lord Krishna and did the pratishte at Udupi. This temple is known as Krishna Mutt.
Udupi is known for the Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna) and also native place of the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya who founded the Krishna Mutt in the 13th century.
Kanakana Kindi entrance

Golden Chariot, kept behind the doors.

Mutt's near by the temple






Few still left out carved artistic:
A window -


Rathabeedi or Cart street: