Udupi, Temple city in Karnataka, India
This settlement sits 39 meters (128 feet) above sea level along the Karnataka coast with streets lined with temples, schools and shops. Buildings alternate between traditional wooden facades and modern concrete structures in the busy center.
In the 13th century, the scholar Madhvacharya built the Krishna Temple here and founded a religious tradition. The establishment of eight monasteries shaped the spiritual landscape of the region over centuries.
The name refers to the worship of Krishna in temples and homes across neighborhoods throughout the area. Restaurants carrying this name now serve dishes based on local recipes in many parts of India.
National Highway 66 runs directly through town and connects it to other places along the western coast. The Konkan Railway line offers connections to larger cities in Karnataka and neighboring states.
Every two years, the Paryaya ceremony takes place, during which administration of the Krishna Temple rotates among the eight monasteries. This ritual handover lasts several days and draws visitors from many regions of India.
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