A Trip to Udupi: A Travelogue

MANGALORE – ROME OF THE EAST

Shuttling through the platforms of Palakkad railway station at 9:30 pm we were scrounging for the
Madras Mangalore express. We reached Mangalore by 5 am and after a 3-hour long journey, we
reached Kollure, Udupi. Udupi is a city in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka. It's known for its
Hindu temples, including the huge, 13th-century Sri Krishna Temple, which houses a statue of Lord
Krishna and attracts many pilgrims. Nearby, the ancient Anantheshwara Temple is dedicated to the
god Shiva. The traditions and customs followed in the temples there were completely different from
ours which was a pleasant surprise for me as I could learn their culture as I stood amidst the other
devotees. Our next destination was to visit the temple of the goddess of Mookambika which is
located in the hills of Kodachadri near the river Sowparnika. Inside the Saraswathi Mandap, I got the
opportunity to perform classical arts along with many others and I was blessed to have the goddess
as a witness to my efforts.

The authentic Udupi cuisine was a treat for my taste buds and innumerable chai breaks made my
trip soothing. My parents who had once visited the town years ago got the opportunity to reminisce
their fond memories of this magical place. And it was also a great chance for me to learn important
values and strengthen my beliefs. New experiences and new places truly give you an insight on the
lessons that life teaches us.

Ardra G
Class 12 A
KV no.1 Palakkad