Souparnika River

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Sauparnika is a sacred river which emerges from a verdant mountain near Maravanthe in Udupi District of Karnataka. The legend associates this river with an eagle Garuda, also known by the name Suparna, who performed penance on the banks of this river and attained salvation. Thereafter, the river came to be known as 'Sauparnika'. Along the banks of the river lie pilgrim centers, hills, cities and towns. Among these Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple, Kundapura and Kodachaadri hills are of great importance. Today boating facilities are also arranged at Maravanthe.

Kundapura is a town in Udupi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarter of the Kundapura taluk and is about 36 kilometres from Udupi.This name can be traced to the Kundeshvara temple built by Kundavarma in the vicinity of the Panchagangavalli river. Kundapur is also described as the 'town of the sun'. The name may be derived from Kunda, meaning jasmine, owing to the abundance of jasmine-trees in the area. According to others, Kunda means 'pillar', and here refers to the traditional method of constructing houses. Kunda has another meaning, indicating a high place. Up to 18th century, nearby Basrur was important town and Kundapura (a place in high place) was built later, particularly during British period. Kundapur town is surrounded by water from three sides (North - Panchagangavali river, East - Kalaghar water, river, West - Kodi back waters, and further west, Arabian sea), leaving south side as main connecting land mass.

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☀ Sri Vinayaka (Ganesh) Temple at Anegudde, between Kota and Koteshwar towns. (5 k.m. from Kundapura) The area where the temple stands is called Kumbhashi. Among the several temples in Kumbhashi Anegudde, Sri Vinayaka Temple is the oldest, and it is also the most popular in this region. This Ganesh temple is on a small hillock, giving the name Anegudde, "Ane" meaning elephant and "Gudde" meaning a hillock (in kannada).

☀ Mekekattu Nadhikeshwara temple is interesting place, about 20 k.m.from Kundapura. It is nearer to Barkuru chowlikere temple. It is considered as the creation of sage Parashurama. With the passage of time the area where the temple is situated has been called by different names. According to the legends, when drought hit this area sage Agastya came here to perform Yajna to please the rain god. During the Yajna, the Asura Kumbha started bothering the sages. To rescue the sages Bhima killed the demon with the help of the sword gifted by lord Ganesha. It attracts several thousand visitors every year. Striking feature of Mekkekattu temple is a collection of coloured, wooden idols which measure up to 10 feet height! Most of the wooden statues are in warrior dress, giving an impression that this entire row of wooden statues are made to remember an incidence of war that would have taken place here during 1600-1700 AD (no historic evidence for this war is found yet, but can be linked to Mogul / Bahamani Invasion). Some of the statues are like Muslim soldires, some like maratha soldies. Some even hold a replica of old gun, some carry swords and ready for war. All wooden statues are given local mytholigical name and there are tiger, crow, moneky also in the row. Yettinahatti, very near to Mekke kattu is interesting place where bulls are worshiped, and may have some historical links with Mekke Kattu.

☀ Basrur - Many temples are located here on the southern banks of the river Varahi. History says Basrur is main and center place of Kundapura Taluk and it has several historical structures.
☀ Uppinakudru - Uppinakudru or salt island is located at 6Km towards north of Kundapura which is a taluk headquarters in Udupi District (Karnataka , India) .
☀ Hoovinakere - It is the birthplace of the philosopher Vadiraja, who preached Dvaita philosophy after Madhvacharya.
☀ Koteshwara - The Koteshwara temple is a historical and religious centre. Here the lake adjascent to temple is far bigger than the main temple itself! This lake has several legends, which are interesting and one legend, which states that there is an underground tunnel to Vandaru Kambala Gadde which is at a distance of 20 k.m. is most interesting!
☀ Saligrama Village - A small village with a historic temple of Narasimha(Gurunarasimha) and hanuman
☀ Hattiangadi has another well-known temple of Lord Ganapathi (Ganesh), and many other ancient temples besides.
☀ Kirimanjeshwara - Located about 22 km from Kundapur, it has the Kirimanjeshwara temple amidst beautiful surroundings. There is another old temple called the Agastyeshwara temple, named after Sage Agastya.
☀ Shankaranarayana - village located about 32 km to the east of Kundapur, it is traditionally called Krodha Kshetra and is one of the seven places of pilgrimage in the region mentioned in the Skanda Purana.
☀ Trasi - Located about 12 km to the North of Kundapur, Trasi has a beautiful 1 km long beach with Turtle Bay and Beach Resort.

☀ Maravanthe One of Karnataka's most beautiful beaches. It is about 55 km from Udupi. NH-17 runs right next to the beach and the Suparnika river flows on the other side of the road, creating a spectacular scenery. A boat ride from Maharajaswami temple of Maravanth to Padukone is enjoyable. The river Souparnika, which almost touches Arabian sea hear, makes a U turn and goes eastward to join the Sea only after a journey of more than 10 kilometers, which is a geological wonder.

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☀ Kodi Beach This is a nice beach located about 4 km from Kundapur. The Kinara Restaurant is a nice place to spend the time, while enjoying the beauty of Arabian Sea.

☀ Bhandarkars college is a first grade university located in Kundapura. The college campus with adjascent cricket ground makes good sight.
☀ Gangolli,even though very near to Kundapura, one has to travel more than 15 km to reach this place as Panchagangavali river separates this from Kundapura town. One can also take boat ride, which depends on High tide timings! This is a beautiful place located at bank of 5 rivers and Arabian sea. Fishing is main activity. Veereshwara Temple is one of the oldest temple of Gangolli.

☀ Maranakatte This is a place located at a distance of about 18km from Kundapura and known for its Temple of "SRI BRAMHALINGESHWARA", which is located in the bank of river Souparnika. It has a mythological connection with the Kollur "MOOKAMBIKA" temple, this being the place where the Goddess of Kollur killed Mookasura, the Rakshasa(Demon).

☀ Halady a village at a distance of 22 k.m. from Kundapura town is known mainly as a junction of roads leading to Shankaranarayana, Amasebail and Hebri. An old Tiles factory was busy burning red tiles during 1980s in Halady, but this industry has become obsolete and outdated because of dwindling forest cover, from where the logs were supplied to bake tiles. The Halady River or Varahi River is flowing besides this village. Marlu chicku is one deity of Halady which attracts large number of people from far off places, and another temple is of Laxmi Narasimha with 7 feet stone statue. The river in front of this temple is beautiful scene.

☀ Vakwadi This is a small village located between Anegudde and Huvinakere and about 2 k.m. from Koteswara. A temple of Mahalingeshwara about 2 km from Anegudde is there to serve.
☀ Bidkalkattethis is a small village near halady.this place is between molahalli and hunsemakki. it has govt.high college & hospital.
☀ Molahallithis is a small village near bidkalkatte.it is a birth place of 'sahakari pithamaha' M.Shivarao.shivaraya temple located in this place.'KAMBALA'of molahalli is famous in k'pura taluk.

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Souparnika River Nearest Attraction