Tourist places in and around Udupi
Eight Mutts
Udupi is the seat of Vaishnavite Bhakti cult.The Dwaita Siddhanta of Sri Madhwa is propagated as a glorious tradition by the eight mutts established by the Guru at Udupi. The mutts are Palimar Mutt, Krishnapura Mutt, Sothe Mutt, Puthge Mutt, Sirur Mutt, Kaniyur Mutt, Admar Mutt and Pejawar Mutt. The heads of these mutts take full responsibility of the various pujas and rituals of Sri Krishna temple. Only Bala Sanyasis are selected to head the mutts and do pujas at the temple.Navagraha Kindi
A unique feature of Sri Udupi Krishna temple is that the Lord is worshippe only through a window with nine holes. It is fully silver-plated and carved exquisitely. Situated to the west of this is the Kanakadasa Mandap. When Kanakadasa came to this village, he could not enter the Krishna shrine because he belonged to a low caste. He continued to worship the Lord, standing outside and singing His glory One day, to the surprise of all, the western wall gave way on its own and the Lord,s image turned towards this opening. Kanakadasa had the special privilege of worshipping Sri Krishna in full view. Ince then, the tradition here has been to worship the Lord only through the window. From this window outside, one can anytime have a good darshan of the Lord.Pujas & rituals
The day at Udupi temple begins at 4:00 am. to the accompaniment of conch and Nagari sounds and Vedic chants. A series of pujas and abhishekas are performed to the Lord. The Nirmalya Visarjan is followed by Ushatkala puja, Panchamirtha puja, Udhwardhana puja, Kalasa puja, Go (cow) puja, Alankara puja and Maha puja. These are followed by Brindavana puja. Devotees are then fed.Evening pujas start at 4:30 pm. These include Samara Seve, Ranga Seva and Seevili Seva. The deity is then kept on a silver palanquin and taken in a procession round the sanctum. This is known as Ekanta puja, when the Lord is kept on a silver bed.
Chenna Kesava shrine
This shrine is situated behind the sanctum. Here, the Lord is seen with Shanku, Cjakra, Gadha nd Lotus on His hands, as gave darshan to Kanakadasa. Behind this is the eastern entrance of the sanctum, which is open only on Vijadasami day. On the prakaras, there are images of Garudalwar and Hanuman. The two prakaras, Suryachala and Chandrachala, are used for cultural and religious purposes. A Tulasi Brindavanam, situated near the Dwajasthamba, is held in high reverence. A 12-day festival is held during ov-Dec.Sri Madhwa shrine
The shrine of the founder of Udupi temple is situated next to the sanctum. There are images of Sri Vadiraja and Lord Subramanya on the outer prakara. The silver Simhasana, used by Sri Madhwa, is held very sacrd. Only the Paryaya Swamiji will be seated on this while blessing the devotees.Madhwa Sarovar
The holy Ganga is said to appear in this tank once in 12 years.Shakti & Subramanya temples
King Ramabhoja established four Shakti temples and four Subramanya temples in the four corners of Sivalli. The Shakti temples are at Puttur, Kannarapadi, Bailur and Kadiyali . The Subramanya temples are at Tangodu, Manfodu, aritodu and Muchilkodu.Durga shrine
There is a shrine dedicated to Durga on a hillock some 5 km from Udupi. Indra,s consort Shashidevi is believed to have performed penance here.Bhaajaga Kshetra
This is the birthplace of Sri Madhwacharya, situated 12 km Udupi. Sri Madhwa is also considered a reincarnation of Hanuman. There are shrines for Bheema, Pancha Pandavas and Vayu.Subranmanya
The Lord Subramanya temple is situated in Picturesque surroundings. The sacred hill is known as Kumara Parvat and rivers Kumaradhara and Tharpana originate here. In the sanctum, Lord Shanmukha is seated on a peacock. Images of Vasuki and Adi Sesha are installed below the Lord. The sanctum is full of ant-hills. A Garuda sthamba, installed in front of the sanctum, isbelieved to ward off the poisonous breath of Nagas.There are shrines dedicated to Lord Uma Maheswara and Kukke Lingam (basket). According to a legend, a basket full of Lingams was once found here, which gives this place the name of Kukke Subramanya.