BALAKRISHNA OF UDIPI

THE GLORY OF UDIPI

Its Original sanskrit name was Udupa - 'Udu' standing for star, and 'Pa' for lord, wich means then Lord of stars - i.e. Moon. Udupa accordingly represents Lord Siva bearing the moon on his head. This etymological meaning justifies its name; for , there is an ancient temple for Lord Chandramauliswara here. So people called it in all probability Udupa. As sanskrit has a unique magical flexibility of yeilding several meanings; it can be taken to mean a boat or raft, and this too finds justification; for, it stands for a place to which Lord Krishna came from Dwaraka by boat under extra ordinary circumstances. yet there is another version in Kannada with attributes it to the boat, which cracked before reaching the diestination. Tulu origin corroborates the incident of cracking of boat that necessitated the landing of Krishna here. Thus, the word Udipi, a variant of original Udupa, admitting several interpretations ends that it was the seat of Lord Chandramauliswara.

This is in consonance with the name of the village called Shivalli- standing both for silver seat and village of Shiva. And it is from that little village, the present cosmapolitan city emerged. Its background is quite fascinating. 

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