10 Must Visit Places During your stay in Manipal

Beyond the webs of the books, beyond the monotonous life of a student, there are places which serve as the perfect getaways helping you unwind.

The Towns

Udupi, the temple town (5 km)

Streets of Udupi — Contrast – Your Only Way Forward. This photo of an old man (probably a priest at one of the many temples in the town of Udupi) with his bicycle walking across a petrol filling station provides a contrast to the changing traditions of rapid urbanisation and the establishment of western mindsets in a town known for its rich culture!

Udupi is famous for its Sri Krishna Matha which was set up back in the 13^th century. When you visit here, be sure to catch the delicious vegetarian food along with the many famous legends associated with its temples. This is the nearest railway connectivity to Manipal.

Mangalore, the commercial town (60 km)

It was named the 8th cleanest city in our country in 2010. A 75 bus ride from Manipal can bring you closer to multiplexes, museums, lighthouse gardens and beaches. Also, Mangalore is the place you would want to bring you girlfriend when she is angry with you, the city is full of a variety of shopping centers. This is the nearest air connectivity to Manipal.

Murudeshwara, the Shiva town (104 km)

Murudeshwara Temple and Raja Gopura along with the second highest Shiva statue in the world makes this an important center in the Hindu religious circuit. The Raja Gopura stand tall at about 238 feet and has 20 stories. The Shiva statue goes 123 feet into the sky.

The Best of Western Ghats

Agumbe (55 km)

It receives the highest rainfall receiving region in the Western Ghats, thus earning itself the name, “Cherrapunji of the South” – the ride to Agumbe will present you with breathtaking scenes. The Sunset Point and Trekking on Nisha Gundi & Barkana Falls is famous among the tourists. The famous show Malgudi Days was filmed in and around Agumbe.

Hanumanagundi (75 km)

Hanumangundi Kudremukh 1 — Hanumangundi, Kudremukh

The water falls down from a height of a little more than 100 feet. With the added option of actually getting down into the falls after going through a huge array of steps. This can prove to be a good destination if you happen to the one responsible to plan out a trip for your group.

Kudremukh Hills (160 km)

Hnumangundi Composite Collage — Hanumangundi – The road less traveled in pictures. The destination does not match the hype.

The name Kuduremukha literally means ‘horse-face’ and refers to a particular charming view of a side of the mountain that resembles a horse’s face. Situated at around 1900 meters above Sea Level, a drive through its lush green forest ranges is something to surely plan out.

Jog Falls (175 km)

A slightly longer trip, which can consume the day but a trip which would be worth the time. Jog Falls is created by the Sharavathi River falling from a height of 253 m (830 ft), making it the second-highest plunge waterfall in India. Set in the heart of the Western Ghats, this is a perfect getaway from the energy sucking lives.

Coorg (210 km)

Lauded as the Scotland of India, this place is an exotic paradise set in the perfect setting of the Western Ghats. Mountains, Teak wood forests along with numerous coffee plantations make it a place worth seeing. Madikeri has an array of sightseeing spots, along with activities like Trekking.

The Seashore

Malpe/St. Marys Island (10 km)

Malpe Beach 4 — A last stand against the flowing tide of age! We enter Manipal as teenagers or in our early 20’s and when the time comes to leave the hallowed waters of Manipal behind, our feet remains firmly planted. Yet as the waters recede, we realise it is time to leave, but never say Good-Bye! With Manipal, there is always that one last visit!

A natural port town about 10 km from Manipal, Malpe has a scenic beach and is the perfect spot for an escapade from the mundane lives that surrounds us at college.

From Malpe, you can catch a ferry to St. Mary’s Islands, which are a set of 4 islands 6 km out at sea. As these islands are inhabited, the picturesque beauty remains intact.

Kaup (15 km)

Kaup (pronounced Kapu) lies midway on the way from Udupi to Mangalore, about 15km from Manipal, the beach is famous for its lighthouse, which was built in 1901. (The lighthouse is open for visitors between 4pm to 6pm – make sure to plan accordingly).

Maravanthe (60 km)

Considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Karnataka. This beach runs right next to the Suparnika River, so there is Arabian Sea on one side and the Suparnika River on the other side making it a spectacular sight.

Also: Around 300 km from Manipal, there are places like Goa, Mysore and Kozhikode around which a longer trip of 4-5 days can be planned out.