Karnataka · Temple town · Coast
Udupi
Udupi is a coastal temple town in Karnataka, home of the Sri Krishna Matha and close to Malpe Beach. It is about 310 km from Mysuru, about 6.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. October to March is a pleasant time for Udupi, before the hot months of April and May.
Why travellers go
It combines a major pilgrimage site with beaches and the unusual basalt columns of St. Mary’s Island.
- Suggested time
- 1–2 days
- State
- Karnataka
- Good for
- Temple town, Coast
Best-known sights in Udupi
- Sri Krishna Matha: The Krishna temple founded by the saint Madhvacharya in the 13th century, run in two-year turns by eight mathas. Prasada is served to devotees at noon. A dress code for devotees took effect in January 2026; check the current rules before you go.
- Kanakana Kindi: The small window in the temple's western wall through which devotees see the Krishna idol, linked to the saint-poet Kanakadasa.
- Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples: Two old temples in the same complex as the Krishna Matha.
- Madhva Sarovara: The temple pond next to the Krishna Matha. Check before bathing.
- Malpe Beach: A beach about 5 km west of Udupi, known for its sunsets and the starting point for boats to St Mary's Island.
- St Mary's Islands: Four small islands off Malpe with columns of basalt rock, declared a National Geological Monument. Vasco da Gama landed here in 1498. Boats do not run from June to September, and there is little shade at midday.
- Kaup Beach and lighthouse: A beach with a lighthouse, about 22 km from Manipal.
- Manipal End Point Park: A park on a cliff overlooking the Suvarna river, in Manipal, Udupi's university suburb.
- Pajaka Kshetra: The birthplace of Madhvacharya, about 10 km from the centre of Udupi.
How many days do you need in Udupi?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Sri Krishna Matha and Kanakana Kindi
- Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples
- Malpe Beach at sunset
Two days
- Day 1: Sri Krishna Matha and Kanakana Kindi, Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples, Madhva Sarovara, Malpe Beach at sunset
- Day 2: St Mary's Island boat trip (October to May), Kaup Beach and lighthouse, Manipal End Point Park
Three days
- Day 1: Sri Krishna Matha and Kanakana Kindi, Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples, Madhva Sarovara
- Day 2: St Mary's Island boat trip (October to May), Malpe Beach at sunset
- Day 3: Pajaka Kshetra, Kaup Beach and lighthouse, Manipal End Point Park
How to reach Udupi from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 300 km by road. Map estimates give about 4.5 hours, but the ghat roads towards the coast are often slower, especially in the monsoon.
- By train
- A direct daily train (16585) runs from Mysuru Junction to Udupi, taking about 11 hours.
- By bus
- Private buses run between Mysuru and Udupi, taking about 7-9 hours.
- By air
- There is no airport in Udupi district. Mangaluru International Airport is about 59 km away.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 400 km, about 8-9 hours, via Kunigal, Hassan, Sakleshpur and the Shiradi Ghat to Mangaluru, then north to Udupi.
- By train
- Overnight trains run through the Sakleshpur ghat to Udupi, taking about 10-12 hours. Udupi station, on the Konkan Railway, is about 4 km from the city bus stand.
- By bus
- KSRTC and private sleeper buses run every night, taking about 9 hours.
- By air
- Fly to Mangaluru International Airport, about 59 km away, then by road; pre-paid taxis take about 1.5 hours.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Udupi
October to March is a pleasant time for Udupi, before the hot months of April and May. June to September is the heavy monsoon, with more than 1,100 mm of rain in each of June and July, and boats to St Mary's Island do not run then.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Warm and dry, about 21-33°C The Paryaya festival, when temple management passes to the next matha, is held on 18 January in even-numbered years. |
| Feb | Warm and dry, about 22-34°C |
| Mar | Hot and dry, about 24-34°C |
| Apr | Hot and humid, about 25-34°C Mango season. |
| May | Hot with pre-monsoon showers, about 25-33°C Average rain about 183 mm. |
| Jun | Monsoon, very heavy rain, about 23-30°C Average rain about 1,180 mm. St Mary's Island boats stop from June to September. |
| Jul | Wettest month, about 23-28°C Average rain about 1,350 mm. |
| Aug | Very wet, about 23-28°C Average rain about 790 mm. |
| Sep | Rain easing, about 23-30°C Average rain about 290 mm. |
| Oct | Post-monsoon showers, about 23-31°C |
| Nov | Drying out, about 22-32°C |
| Dec | Warm and dry, about 21-33°C |
Tips for visiting Udupi
- Agree on the auto-rickshaw fare before you set off, as drivers often do not use the meter.
- Udupi cooking is vegetarian and traditionally avoids onion and garlic; also try local snacks such as golibaje.
- St Mary's Island boats leave when they have enough passengers, so allow waiting time.
- Ghat roads on the way to the coast are often damaged in the monsoon; the train is a calmer option then.
- The Paryaya festival on 18 January in even-numbered years draws large crowds; plan ahead if your trip falls then.
Photos
Travel Trendzz packages that include Udupi
Prices are given on request; the team sends a quote for your dates and group.
Questions about Udupi
What is the best time to visit Udupi?
October to March is a good time to visit Udupi, with dry, warm days of about 21-34°C. April and May are hot and humid. June to September is the heavy monsoon, with over 1,100 mm of rain in June and July, and boats to St Mary's Island stop.
How many days are enough for Udupi?
Two days are enough for Udupi. Spend the first at the Sri Krishna Matha and nearby temples, ending with sunset at Malpe Beach. On the second, take the boat to St Mary's Island and visit Kaup Beach. A third day adds Pajaka and Manipal's End Point.
How far is Udupi from Mysuru and Bengaluru?
Udupi is about 400 km from Bengaluru, about 8-9 hours by road via Hassan, Sakleshpur and the Shiradi Ghat. From Mysuru it is about 300 km by road. Direct trains run from both cities, and Mangaluru airport is about 59 km from Udupi.
Is Udupi good for families and couples?
Yes. Udupi suits both families and couples. Families can visit the Krishna Matha, enjoy simple vegetarian meals and spend evenings at Malpe Beach. Couples often choose the boat trip to St Mary's Island, sunsets at Kaup lighthouse and the view from Manipal's End Point Park.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Udupi?
Yes. Udupi & Gokarna Coastal Tour (3 Nights / 4 Days), Udupi Murudeshwar & Gokarna Explorer (4 Nights / 5 Days), Mangalore, Udupi, Gokarna & Murudeshwar Circuit (5 Nights / 6 Days) are published Travel Trendzz packages.
Places near Udupi
Published packageMurudeshwar
Temple · 1 day
Published packageGokarna
Beaches · 2 days
Published packageChikkamagaluru
Coffee · 2–3 days
All Karnataka destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
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