ourist places to see near Udupi -Many tourists only know that Udupi is famous for its Krishna temple. But there are many other sightseeing spots around this town, which are yet to explored fully.

Read below for a list of interesting places to see around Udupi. 

Beaches near Udupi 

Malpe Beach 

Malpe is a major fishing harbor in the west coast and a quiet drive along its fabulous beach is indeed thrilling. This place is situated 5 Km west of Udupi town and endowed with natural beauty.

You can have a leisurely dip in the Sea and relax on the Malpe Beach. The Vadabhandeshwara Temple in Malpe is famous and the image of Sri Balarama, installed by Sri Madhvacharya can be seen in Malpe. 

St. Mary’s Island

St Mary's Island, UdupiSt. Mary’s Island is situated nearly 58 km north of Mangalore and near Malpe Port. This is a picnic spot. Vasco da Gama was supposed to have reached the shores in 1498 before reaching Calicut.

St. Mary's Island is known for their famous basalt rocks which have crystallized into columns and split into hexagonal mosaic. From Malpe many fishing boats ferry the visitors to this spot.

It is advised that visitors should carry drinking water and food items with them, as there is no restaurant facility at island.

Maravanthe Beach

Along the seacoast nearly 9 km from Kundapur and about 55Kms from Udupi, is a captivating place called Maravanthe.

On its western side, the Arabian Sea roars with its splendor, while on the eastern side the Sowparnika River flows.

In between the Seacoast and the River bank passes the west coast highway N.H. 17. This is a popular tourist spot with memorable scenic beauty.

Baindur Beach

Baindur is a small hamlet which is 45 kms from Maravanthe Beach. It has a beautiful Baindur Beach nearby. Ottanane near Baindur is famous for its glorious sunset. 

Temples and Relegious Spots around Udupi

Anegudde Vinayaka Temple

Approximately 9 km from Kundapur, a famous Anegudde Vinayaka Temple stands on the rocky hills at Kumbasi. It is one of the seven pilgrimages in the "Parashurama Kshethra". There is another temple of Mahalingeshwara at Kumbasi. 

Kollur Mookambika Temple

The Kollur Temple as it is popularly called is situated about 140 km from Mangalore off the National Highway near Kundapur. It is about a 2 hours drive from Udupi. It is a pilgrim center on the Kodachadri Hills. The Goddess Mookambika is said to be here in the form of Jyothirlinga.

It is said that Adhi Shankaracharya consecrated the Shrichakra and the panchaloha image of the Goddess Mookambika. Sowparnika River flows through this place which is located amidst thick vegetation.

This place can be reached by bus from Kundapur, Udupi, and Mangalore. The temple serves vegetarian meals to all the devotees present during the main prayer service.

Vadapandeshwara temple

You can view a beautiful sun set on clear days. The idol of Balarama, the brother of Shri Krishna was excavated from the "Gopichandana" mud and installed here, at Vadapandeshwara 7 km west from Udupi on the seacoast by Madhvacharya.  

Venoor

Venoor is 45 km from Mangalore where a monolithic statue of Gommata, 38 ft. height, is situated. It is said that one Veera Thimmappa Ajila installed this statue in 1064 A.D. There are also a few Jain basadis around.

Karkala

The name Karkala has been derived from the Kannada word karikallu, meaning black stones. It is 52 kms from Mangalore. The 41.50 ft tall monolithic statue of Bahubali and the St. Lawrence Church are the main attractions here. Karkala is about 40 Kms from Udupi.

On the rocky hill (300 feet), the monolithic statue carved from the local Black Granite weighing around 80 metric tonnes, is installed. The hill is called Gommata Betta. There is a tank at the foot of this hill known as Ramasamudra. A Single Pillar called Manasthambha and a temple called Ananthashayana Temple are situated at this place. 

In front of the Venkataramana Temple, a majestic figure of Veera Hanuman stands on a pedestal. The pillar inside the Venkataramana temple is fully carved with stone bells and these bells are movable. At Attur near Karkala, the Holy Church of St. Lawrence is situated which is a Christian pilgrimage centre.

Karkala is 45 km from Kudremukh and 40 km from Sringeri & Horanadu. The place is easily reachable by road. There are regular bus/taxi services available.

Barakur Fort

It was a fort built during Vijayanagar Emperor Harihara's regime. Now the ruins can be seen at the place. This place is about 74 km from Mangalore.

There are several temples containing inscription on stones of historic values. Harihara, the emperor of Vijayanagar had kept his representatives at this place. Later it became the traditional capital of Jain kings called Ballals. 

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