Malpe

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. The river is navigable to small cargo boats for about ten kms during high tide. The place has a fascinating natural scenery, and has been a centre of commercial activities for a long time. It is a natural port. There are three rocky islands to the west of it.

The northern-most island is called Daria-Bahadurgad, the middle one Daria-Gadara-Kallu and the southern most Kari-Illada-Kallu. The Daria-Bahadurgad port is famous for its export of processed fish to foreign countries. The sea between the rocky islands and the shore is a safe anchorage for vessels during storms and rough weather. 

The oldest tile factory of the district set up by the Basel Mission exists here. Fishing and fish-curing are the important industries of the place. There are temples of Balarama and Ananteshwara here. The image of Balarama has six faces perhaps this was originally a temple of Subramanya (or Shanmukha, the six-faced deity) who was named Balarama at a later date. The Daria-Bahadurgad fort is said to have been built by Basavappa Nayaka of Bidanur. 

Malpe is will be developed into an important fisheries port. There is also a temple of Vadabhandeshwara here. At Kodavuru, a hamlet of Malpe, situated one of the two well known Shankaranarayana temples of the district. The deity here is in the form of a ‘lingam’. The sport is also known as Krodhashrama.

Vadabhandeshwara Temple 
This is four miles west of Udupi, near sea shore. From Udupi city bus service runs up to Malpe beach. From their one has to walk a mile to reach this temple. The Idol of Balarama is propitiated. Piligrims visit this temple and every year on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya (New Moon Day) thousands of people take sea bath and visit this temple.

FAQ’s of Malpe