Saligrama, Udupi

Saligrama is a town on NH 66 in Brahmavara taluk of Udupi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between Kundapura and Brahmavar. It is 21 km north of Udupi and 81 km from Mangalore.

Not to be confused with Saligrama, Mysore, also in Karnataka.

Saligrama
town in Brahmavar taluk
Saligrama
Location in Karnataka, India
Saligrama
Saligrama (India)
Coordinates: 13.50°N 74.80°E / 13.50; 74.80
Country India
StateKarnataka
DistrictUdupi District
Population
 (2011[1])
 • Total15,138
Languages
 • OfficialKundagannada
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
576225[2]
Telephone code0820[3]
Vehicle registrationKA-20[4]

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[5] Saligram had a population of 14,959. The male population constitute 47% of the population and female population consists of 53%. Saligram has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Saligram, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The name is derived from the sacred stone Saligrama worshipped by the Vaishnavas Smarthas (Hindus) as an anaconic symbol of Lord Vishnu.

Saligrama has special importance for those who follow Lord Guru Narasimha as their community deity. It was believed that the community followed Lord Guru Narasimha as their spiritual guru instead of following mutts for spiritual guidance as an image of Lord Narasimha appeared in Raja Bhattacharya's dream instructing him to do so.

Most of the people of Saligrama are Kota Brahmins. The main language spoken in Saligrama is Kannada and Konkani is also spoken here.

How to reach

Saligrama is located approximately midway between Udupi and Kundapur on National Highway 17. Excellent bus service is available from Udupi and Kundapur. Direct bus service is available from Saligrama to the state capital Bangalore and Mumbai. Local means of transport is through autos and taxis.

Places of worship
  • Guru Narasimha and Anjaneya (Hanuman) temples have records dating back to over a thousand years and nearly four centuries before the time of Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya. It is derived from the Padma Purana that Narada Maharshi originally placed the idol of Guru Narasimha in its current place. Kota Brahmins worship Guru Narasimha as their Kuladevata (family deity). The annual car festival will be held on 16 and 17 of every January is attended by thousands of people from all over the state.
  • Sri Vishnu Murthy Temple in Parampalli is nearly 800 years old and famous for Harake known as "Dosa" for fertility.
  • Sri Durga Parameshwari temple situated at Muduhole Karkada is one of oldest temple of the divine mother, Sri Dugaparameshwari having devotees all over India. A special pooja in Navaratri and "Dhakkebali Seva" in 4th day Dhanur Masa, is performed for the well being of all.
  • Shree Bhagavathi temple, Gundmi opposite to park, where they celebrate Navaratri.
  • Divine Park, spiritual laboratory of Shri Guruji Swami Vivekananda. Divine message usually on first and last Sunday of every week. Thousands of devotees gather every time for listening to thunderous messages of Swamiji.

Notable people

Places of interest
  • Padukere Beach: Saligrama is surrounded with wonderful scenic beauty. It is on the coast of the Arabian sea. The village Padukere is located on 3 km west of Saligrama.
  • Sanskrit School: Saligrama has a heritage of Sanskrit scholars. There is a residential Sanskrit school adjacent to Gurunarasimha Temple. The objective of the Sanskrit school is to teach Sanskrit and Vedic studies. It has more than 100 students. Veda patashala is also available in the nearby premises.
  • Hotel Mantapa, famous for its ice-cream.
  • The village has its own Yakshagana troupe known as Saligrama Mela.
  • Kadidaada Heddari, a village in Saligrama.
  • Kalashree, one of the oldest music schools run by P. Ramachandra Aithal in Parampalli village near Saligrama.
  • Gendekere
  • Haalukote Jadd, Famous state level cricket stadium.
  • Girija Kalyana Mantapa near karkada road
  • Viveka High School
  • Kavdi river and Barkur bridge
  • Guru Narasimha temple
  • SriVishnu Murthy Temple Parampalli is nearly 800 years old and famous for Harake known as "Dosa" for fertility. It had large numbers of devotees all over India and abroad.
  • Shree Durga Parameshwari temple, Muduhole Karkada

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 December 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Central Excise and Service Tax Location Code (Areas Under the Range Udupi (610301)". Central Excise and Service Tax. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  3. "STD Codes for cities in Karnataka". Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
  4. "List of RTOs". AICDA (All India Car Dealers Association). Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 14 July 2008.
  5. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
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