Udupi district

This article is about the district. For its eponymous headquarters, see Udupi.
Udupi district
ಉಡುಪಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ
District

Yakshagana, popular in Udupi dist.

Location of Udupi district in Karnataka, India
Coordinates: 13°21′N 74°45′E / 13.35°N 74.75°E / 13.35; 74.75Coordinates: 13°21′N 74°45′E / 13.35°N 74.75°E / 13.35; 74.75
Country  India
State Karnataka
Region Coastal Karnataka
Established 1997
Headquarters Udupi
Talukas Udupi, Karkala, Kundapur, Byndoor, Brahmavar
Government
  District Commissioner Dr. M. T. Reju
Area[1]
  Total 3,880 km2 (1,500 sq mi)
Population [1][2]
  Total 1,112,243
  Density 290/km2 (740/sq mi)
Languages
  Administrative Kannada
  Regional Tulu, Konkani, Kundagannada
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN 576 101
ISO 3166 code IN-KA-UD
Vehicle registration KA-20
Coastline 98 kilometres (61 mi)
Largest city Udupi
Sex ratio 1130 /
Literacy 81.25%
Lok Sabha constituency Udupi-Chikmagalur
Precipitation 4,302 millimetres (169.4 in)
Website udupi.nic.in
Source

Udupi district in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkala, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi district is surrounded by Uttara Kannada district in north, Dakshina Kannada district in southern direction. Shivamogga district borders on north east side and Chikkamagaluru district on east. Arabian sea is on west of Udupi district. Udupi is famous for Udupi cuisine originated in the district as well as at Ashta Matha, i.e., eight Matts, Sri Krishna Temple and Udupi Hotels. Udupi is also one of oldest Educational Centres. Yakshagana, the drama and dance folk art is highly developed and popular in Udupi district as well as other coastal districts of Karnataka. The administrative headquarters of Udupi district is Udupi town. Population as per Census 2001 was 1,112,243 of which 18.55% were urban.[3]

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Udupi district has a population of 1,177,908,[4] roughly equal to the nation of Timor-Leste[5] or the US state of Rhode Island.[6] This gives it a ranking of 403rd in India (out of a total of 640).[4] The district has a population density of 304 inhabitants per square kilometre (790/sq mi).[4] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 5.9%.[4] Udupi has a sex ratio of 1093 females for every 1000 males,[4] and a literacy rate of 86.29%.[4]

Geography

Udupi district is bound by Arabian sea in west and Western Ghats (world heritage site) in the east. Land nearer to sea is plain with small hills and paddy fields, coconut gardens etc. Land bordering the Western Ghats in the east is covered with forests and hilly terrain; the forests are very thick in some parts and Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Hebri and Someshwara and Mukambika Wild Life sanctuary is established near Kollur. Kudremukh national park begins 16 km away from Karkala near Mala. The area surrounding Kollur is also thickly forested and villages are located in between forest area. Some parts of Kundapur Taluk and Karkala taluk are looking like Malenadu both in appearance covered with forests and greenery as well as in culture also. The district is harbouring rare species of flora and fauna. Tiger, King Cobra, deer, bison are some of the wild life seen in the district. Flora include rose wood, teak wood, some of rare plants and fungus.

Climate

Udupi has a tropical climate.[7]

Divisions

Udupi was created out of the Dakshina Kannada district in the year August 1997. Udupi district consists of three taluks: Udupi, Karkala and Kundapur. and two new proposed taluks: Byndoor and Brahmavar. Karnataka Legislative Assembly constituencies in Udupi district are: Kaup, Kundapur, Karkala, Baindur and Udupi. Brahmavara assembly constituency has now been merged with Udupi and Kundapur constituencies. Udupi, Karkala, Kaup and Kundapur assembly segments are now part of the Udupi-Chickmagalur parliamentary (Loksabha) constituency, whereas Byndoor is now part of Shimoga Loksabha constituency. These changes took place during Loksabha general elections held in 2009..

Elected representatives

Members of Karnataka Legislative Assembly

Education

Udupi has a literacy rate of 92%, which is high compared to other districts of Karnataka. Udupi also tops the 10th and 12th standard exams held every year by the Karnataka State Education Board.

Udupi district is home to internationally renowned educational institutions. The Manipal University Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) runs schools, colleges and institutes of higher learning. Similarly, the Nitte University, located at Nitte, heads a large number of educational institutions.

Agriculture and horticulture

The Udupi district was once thriving rice and coconut producer, but any longer. Also one can find arecanut (betelnut) gardens here and there. Cashew is also grown. Milk is procured from farmers by Karnataka Milk Federation which has a dairy processing plant at Manipal in the district. Recently few private entrepreneurs have started procurement and processing of milk.

Phallus indusiatus, a beautiful fungus found at Belve village, Udupi dist. India

Fishing

Fishing in the district include inland fishing and deep sea fishing. Malpe and Gangolli are centers of fishing activities of the district. The Arabian sea is the prime source of fishing.

Commerce and industry

A Road side shop in Udupi district

The district has mostly small-scale industries. There is not any noteworthy industry at present, but a few industries are coming up in the district. There are some red clay tile (Mangalore tile), cashew nut, and coconut oil industries providing employment to hundreds. There is a printing press at Manipal belonging to Pai group doing high security printing like cheques, share certificates, mobile recharge coupons, and question papers for various Indian universities question. The district (Undivded South Canara) was the birthplace of Four public sector banks (PSB) namely Vijaya Bank, Canara Bank, Corporation Bank and Syndicate Bank. There were also many small insurance companies before nationalization. There is divisional office of LIC at Udupi town. The district has branches of scheduled banks making density per population served above the national average of India. Some computer software companies like Robosoft Technologies, SourceHub India Pvt Ltd and DataTree IT Services, United Spectrum Solutions, Manipal Digital systems have set up their corporate and regional offices here. Robosoft has brought Udupi a significant place in the global IT scenario.

Mr K V Prabhu has been recently elected as the president of UCCI (Udupi Chamber of Commerce and Industries).

A thermal power plant has been set up at Nandikoor in Udupi district by Nagarjuna group for generating electricity. The plant has generated controversies with respect to environmental impact. Suzlon has set up manufacturing facility at Padubidre for making wind mills. Work for setting up of underground petroleum crude reserve at Padur (Padoor) in Udupi district by central government has commenced.[8] Environmentalists fear that such large projects will destroy evergreen forests in those areas once for all. Also causing severe pollution of environment.

Transportation

NH17 near Maravanthe, Byndoor., India, where NH passes between Arabian sea and Souparnika River

The Udupi district has two national highways passing through, one is NH-17 (now renamed as NH 66) and another is NH-13. The national highway 17 (now renamed as NH 66) which moves in north and south direction connects Udupi with cities like Mangaluru, Karwar, Murudeshwara, Kochi, Madgaon, Goa,[9] Ratnagiri and Mumbai. Another national highway 13 connects district with Shimoga, Bijapura, Solapur, Chitradurga and Hospet. The district has network of asphalt roads connecting district centre with moffusil areas. The Konkan railway connects district with neighboring districts and states. The major railway stations are Udupi, Baindur, Kundapur, and . At present nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport at Bajpe which is at 55 kilometers from the town of Udupi.

Languages

The primary languages of Udupi district are Tulu, Konkani, Kannada, Beary Bashe and Urdu. The Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts are referred to as Tulu Nadu, as they constitute the Tulu-majority region. Inscriptions in the Tulu languages are found in and around the village of Barkur, the ancient capital of Tulu Nadu. Kundagannada which is the dialect of Kannada is spoken predominantly in Kundapur and Baindur Taluk, Hebri, and Brahmavar. Konkani is spoken by the people of Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Bunts, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins and Mangalorean Catholics in Udupi District. The Muslims in Udupi district speak Urdu and some Muslims in Baindur speak the beary bashe and Nawayathi language.

Temples

The famous Udupi Krishna Temple is located in Udupi, which is visited by western tourists also.[9] Udupi is the place where Sri Madhwacharya, one of the greatest proponents of the Vaishnava faith began his philosophical journey

Colourful chariot in front of temple at Udupi, India

Kuthpady is known for the Subramanya temples, which are visited every year thousands of pilgrims during Subramanya Shrasthi, which falls in November–December It is also home to Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara Temple (Kanangi Temple) Satyayuga Yogashrama and Ramakrishna Bhajana Mandira.

Churches

Cuisine

Main article: Udupi cuisine

Udupi food is considered as the best and the most famous[9] cuisine in entire Karnataka. Udupi restaurants serving Udupi cuisine are popular all over India and have found its way into other countries also. Udupi restaurants are typically south Indian vegetarian restaurants. In Mumbai or Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore, Udupi restaurants are famous for tasty vegetarian food and courteous service. Masala Dosa, which is wrapped around a filling of onion and potato with ghee, is said to be invented by Udupi Hotels.[9]

Notable personalities

Literature

Udupi District has richly contributed to Kannada literature. Jnanapeetha award winner, Dr. K. Shivarama Karanth is from Kota, a small village in this district.

Important writers

Entrepreneurs

Art and culture

Kambala, he-buffaloe race at Vandar village, Udupi district, India

Yakshagana, the famous dance and drama art is very popular in this district. Several Yakshagana troupes are established in this district. Yakshagana teaching schools are also established in this place. Nagaradhane, a form of worshipping serpent god is celebrated all along the district with much pomp and grandeur. Nagaradhane is conducted entire night and thousands of people watch the worship which includes dance by vaidya, pooja by priest, various forms of rangoli drawings etc. Bhuta Kola, Aati kalenja, Kadyanata etc. are other forms of nature worship prevailing in the district.

Rural spectator sports of the district include Kambala, Cock fight, Lagori, Chinni dandu etc.

Drama

Traditional drama forms exist in the district and school days and college days invariably include drama by local people and drama competitions are also held occasionally in the district.

Yakshagana artists from Udupi District

Tourist locations

Beaches

View of St. Marys Island
Another view of St. Marys Island
Kudlu theertha water falls, near Hebri

Religious places

Sri durga Parameshwari temple muduhole karkada oldest temple of goddess of stenth having followers all over India. Special pooja in Navarathri and " Dhekkebali Seva" in 4th day dhanur Masa, for the well-being of all.

Wildlife sanctuaries

The Udupi district has thick evergreen forests in the eastern part. They form part of Sahyadri or Western Ghats of India. These forests have wide range of flora and fauna.

National Park

Waterfalls

River islands

The rivers Souparnik, a Swarnā, Chakrā, Sitā, Varāhi and Kubjā contain beautiful and often unexplored river islands. Called Kudrūs, some of the islands are inhabited but lack basic facilities such as drinking water, electricity and transport. Examples of the islands include Sul Kudrū, Kannada Kudrū, Babbu Kudru, Katte Kudrū, Benne Kudru, Kukkude Kudru, Timmanna Kudru, Padu Kudru, Hatti Kudru, Bal Kudru, Bavali Kudru, Uppina Kudru, Kuru, Jaru Kudru etc.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Know India - Karnataka". Government of India. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  2. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  3. "Census 2001". Retrieved 2006-09-10.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
  5. US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Retrieved 2011-10-01. Timor-Leste 1,177,834 July 2011 est.
  6. "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-09-30. Rhode Island 1,052,567
  7. India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic By Arnold P. Kaminsky, Roger D. Long
  8. "Work begins on strategic petroleum reserve in Mangalore". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 2009-05-28.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Abram, David; Edwards, Nick (2003). The Rough Guide to South India. London: Rough Guides. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-84353-103-6. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  10. "Jomlu Falls Cross - Wikimapia".
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