Temples in Udupi District: Explore Sacred Sites & Coastal Heritage

Temples in Udupi District blend coastal serenity, Madhva tradition, and ancient Tuluva devotion. Begin at the iconic Udupi Sri Krishna Matha with nearby Ananteshwara, then range along the coast to Kollur Mookambika (via Kundapura belt), Kumbashi Anegudde Vinayaka, and Saligrama Guru Narasimha. Add pilgrim favorites like Pajaka Kshetra (Sri Madhvacharya’s birthplace), Kadiyali Mahishamardini, and beachside Vadabhandeshwara near Malpe. This hub shares history snapshots, pooja highlights, best darshan hours, and practical tips. Base yourself at Udupi city, Kundapura, or Byndoor for shorter drives; dress modestly, plan early-morning/evening visits in humid months, and note special occasions such as the Paryaya festival cycle for vibrant celebrations and extended sevas.

Famous Temples in Udupi — Quick Picks

Start your Udupi coastal circuit with these key shrines. Each card notes the deity, area, and what makes it special—kept simple for mobile readers.

Udupi Sri Krishna Matha & Ananteshwara

📍 Udupi city • 🛕 Lord Krishna (Madhva tradition) & Lord Shiva (Ananteshwara)

Iconic matha with kanakana kindi darshan and vibrant sevas; old-town core also houses Ananteshwara and Chandramouleshwara.

Tip: Early mornings are peaceful; note the Paryaya cycle for festival crowds.

Kollur Mookambika Temple

📍 Kollur (Byndoor taluk) • 🛕 Goddess Mookambika

Famed Shakti peetha in the Western Ghats foothills; powerful chandika homa and Navaratri alankarams.

Tip: Forested approach—start early; monsoon roads can be slick.

Kumbashi Anegudde Vinayaka

📍 Kumbashi (near Kundapura) • 🛕 Lord Ganesha

Beloved coastal Vinayaka kshetra; many visit for new ventures and exam blessings.

Tip: Weekends see steady crowds—arrive before 9 AM for quick darshan.

Saligrama Guru Narasimha

📍 Saligrama (Udupi taluk) • 🛕 Lord Narasimha

Unique Narasimha worship with Madhva lineage; serene coastal-town ambience.

Tip: Pair with nearby Brahmavara/Herga shrines for a half-day loop.

Pajaka Kshetra

📍 Pajaka (near Udupi) • 🛕 Birthplace of Sri Madhvacharya

Pilgrim spot with footprints and memorials linked to Acharya; quiet rural setting.

Tip: Mornings/late afternoons are cooler for walking the complex.

Kadiyali Mahishamardini Temple

📍 Udupi city (Kadiyali) • 🛕 Goddess Mahishamardini

Popular city-side Devi shrine known for alankarams and Navaratri festivities.

Tip: Fridays are busy—modest dress and patience recommended.

Vadabhandeshwara Temple, Malpe

📍 Malpe beach • 🛕 Lord Balarama (Vadabhandeshwara)

Seaside temple near fishing harbor and beach; calm evening darshans with sea breeze.

Tip: Combine with a sunset stroll on Malpe beach; watch for weekend traffic.

How to Reach Udupi for Temple Visits

Quick route guide to reach Udupi district (Udupi city, Kundapura/Byndoor belt, Kollur side). Times are typical ranges; always check live traffic, monsoon ghat advisories (Charmadi/Agumbe), and festival crowds (Paryaya, Navaratri).

🛤️ Rail 🚌 Bus ✈️ Flight 🚗 Drive

From Mangaluru → Udupi / Kollur axis

NH 66 coastal corridor (smoothest approach)

🛤️ Rail: ~1–1.5 hrs (MAQ/MAJN ↔ Udupi/Kundapura)
🚌 Bus: ~1.5–2.5 hrs (very frequent city & express)
✈️ Flight: Land at IXE → road/rail to Udupi (~1.5–2.5 hrs)
🚗 Drive: ~60–100 min; beach traffic on weekends

Tip: Handy for Malpe/Kadiyali/Pajaka day trips.

From Bengaluru → Udupi / Kundapura

Via Shiradi/Charmadi ghats (NH 75/73) or Agumbe ghat (via Shivamogga)

🛤️ Rail: ~10–14 hrs (night trains via Hassan–Mangaluru)
🚌 Bus: ~9–12 hrs (KSRTC/privates: Airavat, sleepers)
🚗 Drive: ~8–11 hrs (ghat choice & weather dependent)

Tip: In heavy rain, check ghat status; carry motion sickness meds if needed.

From Shivamogga / Thirthahalli → Udupi

Agumbe ghat descent to coastal belt (scenic)

🚌 Bus: ~3–5 hrs (route dependent, fewer night options)
🚗 Drive: ~3–4.5 hrs; fog/rain common in monsoon

Tip: Pair with Kollur via Byndoor if basing at Kundapura.

From Goa / Karwar / Kumta → Udupi

NH 66 coastal run southbound

🚌 Bus: ~5–9 hrs (origin dependent)
🛤️ Rail: ~4–8 hrs (Konkan Railway to Udupi/Kundapura)
🚗 Drive: ~4.5–8 hrs; scenic but watch for monsoon potholes

Tip: Sunset arrivals are pretty along the coast—mind truck traffic.

From Mysuru / Hassan → Udupi

Via Hassan–Sakleshpur (Shiradi ghat) or via Somwarpet–Madikeri–Coastal link

🛤️ Rail: Mysuru→Mangaluru, then hop to Udupi (~7–10 hrs total)
🚌 Bus: ~7–10 hrs
🚗 Drive: ~6–9 hrs (ghat dependent)

Tip: If sculpture-focused, stop at Belur/Halebidu en route.

From Kannur / Kasaragod → Udupi

NH 66 northbound along the Malabar/Canara coast

✈️ Flight: Kannur (CNN) → Byndoor/Kundapura by road ~4–5 hrs
🛤️ Rail: ~3–6 hrs (multiple daily expresses)
🚌 Bus: ~4–7 hrs

Tip: Convenient for Kollur via Byndoor side.

Key Drop Points & Bases

Choose according to your temple circuit

✈️ Airports: Mangaluru (IXE); Kannur (CNN, south Kerala side)
🛤️ Railheads: Udupi, Kundapura, Byndoor Mookambika Rd, Mangaluru Jn/Central
🚌 Bus Stands: Udupi KSRTC, Kundapura, Byndoor, Kollur (local)
📍 Bases: Udupi city (Sri Krishna, Kadiyali, Pajaka), Kundapura (Anegudde/Saligrama), Byndoor/Kollur (Mookambika)

Pick the closest base to reduce local travel between shrines.

⏱️ Times are indicative for planning. Coastal humidity and ghat weather vary—prefer early mornings/evenings, keep hydration handy, and check ghat/bridge updates during the monsoon.

Temples in Udupi District weave together coastal calm and Madhva tradition—Sri Krishna Matha’s vibrant sevas, Shakti darshan at Kollur Mookambika, vow-filled visits to Anegudde, the unique worship at Saligrama Guru Narasimha, and quiet pilgrim stops like Pajaka, Kadiyali, and Vadabhandeshwara by the sea. Plan cool morning/evening darshans, keep modest dress and simple footwear, and note special occasions such as the Paryaya cycle and Navaratri for larger crowds and extended rituals. Base yourself at Udupi city, Kundapura, or Byndoor to cut road time, watch NH-66 weekend traffic, and in monsoon check ghat/coastal advisories. Pair iconic shrines with a couple of peaceful village/shore temples to keep your Udupi circuit devotional, unhurried, and memorable.