Located on the main Mangalore-Karwar highway, Murdeshwar is sandwiched between the picturesque Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Its main attractions are its beach, an awesome Shiva statue and a Shiva Temple built with Chalukya and Kadamba sculptures in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is located on a hillock which offers a magnificent view of the sea.

Kollur, 80 kms from Udupi, is one of the most important places of pilgrimage on the west coast attracting pilgrims from all over India. The temple dedicated to the Divine Mother, Sri Mookambika, stands in the valley of the great Kodachadri peak. Inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, there is an ancient jyotirlinga which is divided by a golden line into two unequal parts, the greater representing the three Goddesses, Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali and the smaller Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The temple dome, including the kalasha, is made up of gold.

Origin of Sringeri Sharada Peetha Sri Shankara Bagavthpada is the august founder of the Sringeri Sharada pitha in Karnataka. To this day, the pitha shines as beacon light to seekers of spiritual knowledge.

At Sringeri, he saw a strange sight on the bank of River Tunga. A serpent was protecting a pregnant frog with its outstretched hood from Scorching heat of sun.Overwhelmed by the sight of vicious foes being compassionate friends on this land, he decided to establish the first pitha at Sringeri. Here he spent 12 years teaching philosophy to his disciples. The serenity of sacred Sringeri is there for anyone to see even today.

Situated 100kms from Udupi, Shringeri is a wellknown centre of pilgrimage on the banks of the river Tunga and at the foot of the Sahya mountain - a part of the western ghats, in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. It is as sacred as Kashi, Rameshwaram, Puri, Dwaraka, Tirupathi, Srisailam, Srirangam, Pandharpur, Badrinath and Pashupathinath. This place is held in high esteem also because of the Maha samsthan of Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya.

It is here that Sri Adi Shankarachrya, the exponent of the Advaita system of philosophy, established the first southern centre (" Shringeri Math ") for propagating the Sanatana Dharma. Sharada being the Goddess worshipped here, this holy place is known as Sharada Peeth as Goddess Sharada is being worshipped here. While moving all over India, Sri Shankara selected a few places for establishing his spiritual centres. Shringeri is prominent amongst such places, the others being Puri, Dwaraka, Badrinath, Kashi and Kedarnath. Sri Shankara spent a longer period of his life at Shringeri. It was here that he wrote several of his treatises.

In the midst of the Western Ghats , surrounded by greenery Goddess Annapoorneshwari makes Horanadu her home. The name of the goddess means "Feeding one & all", like the ever giving & loving mother. The specialty of this temple is that everybody who visit this shrine are provided with food & place to sleep or rest.

The temple of Annapoorneshwari , situated in Hornadu; with its pomp, glory and grandeur attracts people not only from Karnataka, but also from other places of India.

 

Dharmasthala symbolizes the true essence of religion and stands out as an oasis of peace and harmony. Here, one can witness a happy confluence of three faiths co-existing in complete harmony. While the presiding deity is Lord Shiva, the priests who conduct the daily rituals are Vaishnavaite Brahmins and the Dharmadhikari of the temple is a devout Jain. Thus religious tolerance and a spirit of oneness, which are the prominent characteristics of the Indian cultural heritage, has become the hallmark of Dharmasthala.

This place was originally called "Kuduma" but in the l6th century it was named as Dharmasthala - the abode of dharma and charity. The lineage of the Dharmadhikari can be traced back Over 600 years. According to the legend, a Jain Heggade known for his piety and hospitality, was chosen by the Dharmadevatas-the guardian angels of dharma, for the propagation of dharma; being Shivaganas, they installed a Shivalinga from the Kadri temple in Mangalore, so that dharma could be established in the name of the Lord. Subsequently, the Manjunatha temple was built around the Shivalinga. They also ordained the Heggade to carry out certain traditional charities.

About 60 Kms from Mangalore is a fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya, the great Sanskrit Philosopher. The famous temple here, has a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels.

The main attraction of this temple is the 'Kanakana Kindi' -a small window through which Krishna is believed to have given darshan to his ardent devotee, Kanakadasa.

Udupi is famous for its Sri Krishna Mutt which though small is quite beautiful. There is no front door for this mutt. Instead there is a small window through which one could always get the darshana of the idol from outside the mutt. In front of the window there is a small 'gopuram'. The main entrance to the mutt is on the southern side. As on enters, on the right side is a tank called Madhwa Pushkarani. This tank has stone steps all round and a mantapam in the center.

Among the several disciples of Sri Madhva, eight monks were jointly and severally made responsible for conducting the daily worship of Lord Krishna at Udupi, besides the usual duties of monk hood. These eight direct disciples of Madhva established separate lines of their own by ordination, and these eight lines of ascetics came to be known as the Eight Maths or Ashta Math of Udupi.

Brindavan Garden and Sri Venu Gopalakrishna Temple
The unique architecture of the temple is a combination of openness of landscaped space and religious harmony. Now the centre for religious activity opposite which is the Brindavan Garden and colourfully lit fountains water falls is a haven for children.

The high spot of academics on the education map, Manipal is well known for the number of places of interest, besides its academic institutions.

Anatomy Museum
A part of the Academic Centre "MAHE" the Museum holds the highest collection of specimens of normal and diseased human anatomy on display drawing hundreds of school children to visit the place to satisfy their curiosity along with other visitors.

End Point
The centre of attraction for nature lovers situated just a kilometre away from the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences atop the hill overlooking a valley along which quietly flows the River "Swarna". This picturesque spot draws hoards of visitors every day along with joggers strollers.

Dr. TMA Pai Planetarium
The planetarium dedicated to Dr TMA Pai, is located on the banks of the Manipal Lake near the Manipal Junior College. It is part of the Manipal Heritage Park which has several scientific and cultural attractions. The programs of the planetarium seek to increase awareness about astronomy and to stimulate interest in stargazing.

Hasta Shilpa
This Antique lovers delight is a house made up of only antiques collected from ancient houses. It is a visual treat for those with a interest in ancient architecture, history and antiques. Now a museum, it is open to the public.

Malpe town is about four kms. to the west of Udupi. It is the most important port of the Karnataka coast and is situated at the mouth of the Malpe or Udyavara river. An ideal picnic spot with its virgin beach. The endless stretch of golden sand, graciously swaying palm trees, the clear blue sky, gurgle of the sea… all set the perfect mood for the unforgettable holiday here.

St. Mary's Island are a group of small islands lying a little to the north of the port of Malpe 7 kms form Udupi. Vasco-da-Gama landed in 1498 on one of these islands which he called `EI Padron de Santa Maria'. It is from this that these islands got their present name. They are just a few scattered projections of rock rising out of the western or Arabian Sea around Malpe.

The northern-most island is about a square mile in area and not more than 250 yards in width. It has coconut gardens which make it the shadiest of all the islands and give it a true South Sea colour. The island is noted for its famous basalt rocks which Kulkunda, where a large cattle fair is held at the time of the have crystallized into columns and split into hexagonal mosaic. Perhaps, this is the only spot in India where basaltic rocks show up such peculiar formation.

8 Days and 7 Nights
Package cost (Approximate): Rs. 6,250.00
Package Cost include:
Accommodation.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Sight seeing.
Picking & Droping from the Hotel

*Cost does not include Train / Air fare.

Dharmasthala is perhaps the most highly revered and best known temple town in Karnataka. Located amidst the picturesque Western Ghats on the banks of the Netravati River, it is about 100 kms. from Udupi in Belthangady taluk. The Jain tirthankara and Lord Manjunatha (Shiva) are worshipped on the same consecrated ground. Devotees of all caste and creed visit this holy place well known for charity. Besides the many Jain basadis and a museum, the centrepiece of this temple town is a 39 ft. tall monolith statue of Lord Bahubali. Everyone enjoys generous hospitality without any distinction whatsoever. On an average the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people everyday. A mechanized and clean kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims can feel comfortable at the guest houses, which have all modern amenities.