Moodabidri
Encyclopedia
Moodabidri (also called Mudbidri, Moodbiri and Bedra), is a small town 37 km northeast of the Dakshina Kannada district
headquarters, Mangalore
, in Karnataka
, India
.
Because of widely grown bamboo
in ancient days, this place got named as Moodabidri. Moodabidri comes from two words: Moodu and Bidiru. Moodu means East and Bidiru means bamboo. This place was also known as Mooduvenupura .
Its average elevation is 147 metres (482 feet).
, Mudbidri had a population of 25,710. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Mudbidri has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: Male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Mudbidri, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Moodbidri basically contains two villages: Pranthya and Marnad. Moodbidri is also called as "JainaKashi".
(31 km away) by bus. Mangalore Airport
is 40 from Moodbidri.
It is an hour from Udupi and near Karkala
. Other nearby places are Venur
and Kudremukh
.
Nearby railway stations are at Mangalore (60 minutes journey by bus) or Udupi (90 minutes by bus) or Bantawl (25 KM from Moodbidri).
The local online news of Moodabidri published in Kannada by ICARE Live on their dedicated website for Moodabidri called Namma Bedra
Private hospital services with highly qualified and experienced doctors (allopathic and ayurvedic) general medicine, with different specilisation are available. A few of the hospitals are Alva's nursing home, Prabhu clinic, G.V. Pai hospital, Dental clinic like Famous Modern Dental clinic with latest technology with international standards ( Dr Parveen Javed Shaikh)Janatha Clinic.
A few doctors/physicians render their services in their clinic. Medical stores serve needy people.
The town also has a reasonably well maintained veterinary hospital with a veterinary doctor and a veterinary inspector.
There are number of Hindu temples in Moodbidri. Among them Sri Hanuman Temple, Sri Venkataramana Temple, Mahalasa Narayani Temple (Mahamaye Temple), Sri Gowri Temple, Doddamane Road, Sri Eshwara Temple, Doddamane Road, Ponnechari Venkatramana Temple, Shiva Temple, Alangaar, Old Maari Gudi at Swaraj Maidan, New Maari Gudi at Swaraj Maidan and Maari Gudi near Sri Mahaveera College.
A sizable number in Moodbidri practise Roman Catholicism. They are also known as Mangalorean Catholics. There are around 11 churches in and around Moodbidri Varado. Among them, the 16th century old Portuguese-built church Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet or Hospet Church
is very famous.
(Tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in Dakshina Kannada
. Since tiger is considered as the favored carrier of Goddess Sharada (the deity in whose honor Dussera is celebrated), this dance is performed during the Dussera celebration. It is also performed during other festivals like Krishna Janmasthami and Ganesh Chathurthi. Moodbidri is famous for Hulivesha performed on Ganesha Chaturthui as Mangalore is famous for Dashera Hulivesha and Udupi for Janmashtami Hulivesha.
. On the fifth day, a grand procession is held late at night and the idol is taken to the Manasa Gangotri pond at Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple Alangar.
Sri Dhavala College, Jain PU College sponsored by DJVV Sanga Sri Mahaveera College, S N M Polytehcnic, headed by Manipal Academy. It has 22 primary and higher elementary schools, five high schools. Moodbidri has three engineering colleges: Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering
(MITE), Dr. M.V. Shetty Institute of Technology and Alva's College of Engineering.
There are 18 temples, 18 lakes, 18 Jaina Basadis and 18 roads connecting various villages in Moodbidri.
During 14th–16th centuries this town emerged as a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture. 18 Jain temples, snown as Basadi
s, were constructed during this period. The Jain Math at Moodabadri is headed by a Bhattaraka
belonging to the Mula Sangh
order.
The most famous among them are Guru basadi, Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi and Ammanavara Basadi.
Ratnakara Varni
, the medieval Kannada author of Bharatesha Vaibhava belonged to this place. The famous Jain canonical texts known as Dhavala texts and also a number of palm leaf manuscripts of historical and literacy value are preserved in the Jain Math (monastery).
Moodabidri was the seat of the Chowta
s, a Jain ruling family, who were originally located at Puthige, about 5 km from here. They moved their capital to Moodabidri in the 17th century. The remains of the 17th century Chowta Palace is known for its carved wooden pillars and ceilings.
and different types of matches are played. Many flood light cricket and volleyball matches are held here. Alva's Education Foundation has hosted many state and national level sports meets here.
There are government buses to distant places like Bangalore, Hubli,Dharwad, Subramanya , Chickmagalur and all the important places of Karnataka. Private buses from Moodbidri are also available to Bombay, Goa
and Bangalore
by established travels like Navami, Nishmitha, Sugama, Vishal, Ideal and Ananad.
, theater named "Amarashree." Normally Kannada movies are screened here except very rarely some famous non-Kannada movie like Titanic. There is also a mini theater of 100 seating capacity
, near the main bus stand. Here recently released English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam moveies are screened. In a day, four different language movies are screened, sometimes a single language movie, based on public demand.
Other entertainment is watching Yakshgana, unique to this district. This includes a drama like play on epics, which lasts a whole night, starting at 9:30 pm and ending at 6 am next day. This is played normally once a week, and only in few months a year.
Some private Tulu drama companies play comedy drama at regular intervals between November and June.
Dakshina Kannada
- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
headquarters, Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
, in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Because of widely grown bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
in ancient days, this place got named as Moodabidri. Moodabidri comes from two words: Moodu and Bidiru. Moodu means East and Bidiru means bamboo. This place was also known as Mooduvenupura .
Its average elevation is 147 metres (482 feet).
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Mudbidri had a population of 25,710. Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. Mudbidri has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: Male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. In Mudbidri, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Moodbidri basically contains two villages: Pranthya and Marnad. Moodbidri is also called as "JainaKashi".
Location
Moodbidri is on National Highway 13. It is accessible from MangaloreMangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
(31 km away) by bus. Mangalore Airport
Mangalore International Airport
Mangalore Airport, formerly known as Bajpe Airport, is a domestic and customs airport serving the coastal city of Mangalore, India...
is 40 from Moodbidri.
It is an hour from Udupi and near Karkala
Karkala
Karkala is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 380 km from Bangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats....
. Other nearby places are Venur
Venur
Venur or Venoor is a small village on the banks of the Phalguni river in the South Kanara of Karnataka, India. It was once the seat of Jainism and the capital....
and Kudremukh
Kudremukh
Kudremukh also spelled Kuduremukha is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station town situated near the mountain, about 48 kilometers from Karkala and about 20 kilometers from Kalasa...
.
Bus / train booking
Online train and bus (government and private) booking facility is available at Moodabidri.Nearby railway stations are at Mangalore (60 minutes journey by bus) or Udupi (90 minutes by bus) or Bantawl (25 KM from Moodbidri).
The local online news of Moodabidri published in Kannada by ICARE Live on their dedicated website for Moodabidri called Namma Bedra
Languages
Tulu is spoken by majority of the population, followed by Konkani and Kannada. A small Muslim population speaks Byari and Urdu. Visitors can manage with Hindi and English.Hospitals / Nursing home
Moodabidri has a state-run health center. The hospital has improved in the last few years. Medicine supply to the hospital is stable and medicines are available for all common ailments. Well qualified doctors, including dentists, are available and PG interns practice. The hospital has X-ray machine, dental chair, and an ambulance facility.Private hospital services with highly qualified and experienced doctors (allopathic and ayurvedic) general medicine, with different specilisation are available. A few of the hospitals are Alva's nursing home, Prabhu clinic, G.V. Pai hospital, Dental clinic like Famous Modern Dental clinic with latest technology with international standards ( Dr Parveen Javed Shaikh)Janatha Clinic.
A few doctors/physicians render their services in their clinic. Medical stores serve needy people.
The town also has a reasonably well maintained veterinary hospital with a veterinary doctor and a veterinary inspector.
Religion and culture
Moodbidri is also known as Jain Kashi. The Thousand Pillars Temple is one of the most famous and holy shrine of Jains across the country. It also has Guru Basadi which houses the treasured Dhavala text. There are other Basadis, namely Ammanvara Basadi. Leppada Basadi, etc. There are several Jain temples in Moodbidri.There are number of Hindu temples in Moodbidri. Among them Sri Hanuman Temple, Sri Venkataramana Temple, Mahalasa Narayani Temple (Mahamaye Temple), Sri Gowri Temple, Doddamane Road, Sri Eshwara Temple, Doddamane Road, Ponnechari Venkatramana Temple, Shiva Temple, Alangaar, Old Maari Gudi at Swaraj Maidan, New Maari Gudi at Swaraj Maidan and Maari Gudi near Sri Mahaveera College.
A sizable number in Moodbidri practise Roman Catholicism. They are also known as Mangalorean Catholics. There are around 11 churches in and around Moodbidri Varado. Among them, the 16th century old Portuguese-built church Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet or Hospet Church
Hospet Church
The Church of Holy Cross of Hospet in South Canara, is one of the ancient church in the Mangalore Diocese of India. Being situated in Hosabettu, it is also known as Hosabettu Church. This was the only church that escaped the drive for the demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan during early...
is very famous.
Hulivesha
HuliveshaHulivesha
Hulivesha "Tiger Masque" is a folk dance unique to the Tulu Nadu region of Karnataka. Hulivēṣa is performed during Navratri to honour the goddess Sharada - an aspect of Saraswati whose favoured animal is the tiger...
(Tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kannada
- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
. Since tiger is considered as the favored carrier of Goddess Sharada (the deity in whose honor Dussera is celebrated), this dance is performed during the Dussera celebration. It is also performed during other festivals like Krishna Janmasthami and Ganesh Chathurthi. Moodbidri is famous for Hulivesha performed on Ganesha Chaturthui as Mangalore is famous for Dashera Hulivesha and Udupi for Janmashtami Hulivesha.
Ganesh Chaturthi
During Ganesh Chaturthi, Moodbidri gets together to celebrate the festival. People worship Lord Ganesha's idol kept at Samaj Mandir by Saarvajanika Ganeshotsva Samithi headed by K. Amarnath ShettyK. Amarnath Shetty
Kodman Amarnath Shetty is an Indian politician who has been a Minister in the Government of Karnataka-Biography:Born in a Bunt family to Mr. Kanthanna Shetty and Mrs.Rathnavathi Shetty...
. On the fifth day, a grand procession is held late at night and the idol is taken to the Manasa Gangotri pond at Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple Alangar.
Navaraatri
During Navaraatri, the idol of Sharada Maathe is kept at Shri Lashmi Venkatesha Temple, Ponnechari, Moodbidri, by Saarvajanika Samithi and celebrated for two days very grandly. The Sharada Maathe idol is kept at the Venkataramana Temple Moodbidri and here it is celebrated for three days.Maari Pooja or Rashi Pooja
There are five Maari Gudi Temples in Moodbidri. Old Maari Gudi at Swaraj Maidan, Maari Gudi at Swaraj Maidan, Maari Gudi at Mahaveera College,Maari Gudi at Kotabagilu and maari Gudi at kallabettu.Bhuta Kola
Bhuta Kola or spirit worship is practised here. Bhuta Kola is usually done at night. Most of the temples have Bhuta Kola on their annual festival.Kambala
Kambala or buffalo race is conducted in water-filled paddy fields. The Rani Abbakka Kambala Stadium is constructed at Kadale Kere Nisarga Dhama. Every year Kambla is organised here for two days.Korikatta
Korikatta (cockfight) is another favourite sport for village people on the annual festival of the temples.Nagaradhane
Nagaradhane or snake worship is practised according to the popular belief of the Naga Devatha to go underground and guard the species which lived on top.Dindu (Lakshadeepotsava)
Konkani-speaking GSBs have their own tradition of celebrating Lakshadeepotsava (Dindu) five day festival starting from Uthana Dwadashi (Tulasi Pooja Day — the day on which four month chaturmasa of Lord will end and Lord will come out of the temple for the first time in last four months. This day denotes start of Utsava (Pete Savari) of lord for the year). Out of five days last three days being Keredeepotsava (Chaturdashi) Lakshyadeepotsave (on full moon day of Kartika month in Kannada Kartika Hunnime) and last day Okali (Holi) attract many people to the temple.Rathotsava
Jains have their Jain Milans yearly. All Jaina Basadi celebrated Ratotsava very grandly. Each goes for seven days.Education
Moodabidri has elementary, higher elementary, high schools, junior colleges and first grade colleges.Sri Dhavala College, Jain PU College sponsored by DJVV Sanga Sri Mahaveera College, S N M Polytehcnic, headed by Manipal Academy. It has 22 primary and higher elementary schools, five high schools. Moodbidri has three engineering colleges: Mangalore Institute of Technology and Engineering
Mangalore Institute of Technology & Engineering
The Mangalore Institute of Technology And Engineering is a college of engineering and technology located in Mangalore, India. It was established by Mr...
(MITE), Dr. M.V. Shetty Institute of Technology and Alva's College of Engineering.
History
- Gowri Temple in the heart of the city is the oldest temple in Moodbidiri. The temple is said to have been built in the 7th century.
- Hanuman Temple in the heart of the city is the most famous temple around Moodbidri. People from many religions including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians offer prayers to the Lord Hanuman.
There are 18 temples, 18 lakes, 18 Jaina Basadis and 18 roads connecting various villages in Moodbidri.
During 14th–16th centuries this town emerged as a center of Jain religion, culture, art and architecture. 18 Jain temples, snown as Basadi
Basadi
Basadi is a Jain shrine or temple.The word is generally used in South India, including Maharashtra. Its historical use in North is preserved in the names of the Vimala Vasahi and Luna Vasahi temples of Mount Abu...
s, were constructed during this period. The Jain Math at Moodabadri is headed by a Bhattaraka
Bhattaraka
A Bhaṭṭāraka is the head of traditional Jain institutions. They are responsible for training of scholars, maintenance of libraries, managing the endowments, presiding over the installation ceremonies and running of Jain institutions....
belonging to the Mula Sangh
Mula Sangh
Mula Sangh is an ancient Jain monastic order . Mula literally means the "root" or the original order.Mula-Sangh has been the main Digambar Jain order. Today the Digambar Jain tradition is synonymous with Mula Sangha. The great Acharya Kundakunda is associated with Mula Sangh...
order.
The most famous among them are Guru basadi, Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani Basadi and Ammanavara Basadi.
- Guru basadi is the earliest of the Jain monuments. A stone idol of Parshwanatha, about 3.5 metres tall, is installed in the sanctum of this basadi. Here the rare Jain palm leaf manuscripts of 12th century A.D. known as ‘Dhavala texts’ are preserved.
- Tribhuvana Tilaka Chudamani basadi is the largest and the most ornate of the Jain temples of this region. People also call this temple Thousand Pillared Temple (Savira Kambada Basadi) . This is a large granite temple built in 1430 A.D. The 2.5 metres tall bronze image of Lord Chandranatha Swami in the sanctum of this basadi is considered to be very sacred. This three-storey construction was supported by the rulers, the Jain BhattarakaBhattarakaA Bhaṭṭāraka is the head of traditional Jain institutions. They are responsible for training of scholars, maintenance of libraries, managing the endowments, presiding over the installation ceremonies and running of Jain institutions....
Swamiji, merchants and the common people. The temple is famous for the open pillared hall in front, consisting of a large variety of ornate pillars decorated with carvings typical of VijayanagaraVijayanagaraVijayanagara is in Bellary District, northern Karnataka. It is the name of the now-ruined capital city "which was regarded as the second Rome" that surrounds modern-day Hampi, of the historic Vijayanagara empire which extended over the southern part of India....
style. A 15-meter-tall single stone pillar called manastambhaManastambhaManastambha is a pillar that is often constructed in front of Jain temples. In north India, it is always topped by four Tirthankara images.A Jain temple represents the samosharana of the Lord Tirthankara...
stands in front of the basadi.
Ratnakara Varni
Ratnakaravarni
Ratnakaravarni was a 16th-century Kannada poet and writer. He is considered to be one of the trailblazers in the native shatpadi and sangatya metric tradition that was popularised in Kannada literature during the rule of the Vijayanagara empire in modern Karnataka...
, the medieval Kannada author of Bharatesha Vaibhava belonged to this place. The famous Jain canonical texts known as Dhavala texts and also a number of palm leaf manuscripts of historical and literacy value are preserved in the Jain Math (monastery).
Moodabidri was the seat of the Chowta
Chowta
Chowta is a common surname of the Bunt people of Karnataka and Kerala, India. It is also the name of the Jain Bunt dynasty who ruled certain parts of the Tulu Nadu region for several centuries.They initially ruled from their capital at Ullal,then moved it to Puthige.The descendants of the chowta...
s, a Jain ruling family, who were originally located at Puthige, about 5 km from here. They moved their capital to Moodabidri in the 17th century. The remains of the 17th century Chowta Palace is known for its carved wooden pillars and ceilings.
Sports
Yearly and monthly sports activities are held Swaraj Maidhan and SMC ground. State level and national sports meets are held here. Cricket, volleyball, badmintonBadminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
and different types of matches are played. Many flood light cricket and volleyball matches are held here. Alva's Education Foundation has hosted many state and national level sports meets here.
Companies
Small-scale industries employ many people. Many cashew industries are here. Kadale Kere is the industrial area where many small-scale industries are.Long distance travel and local transport
The local and long distance transport includes the buses which ply regularly. Shuttle and express buses to Mangalore, Udupi, Karkala, Shimoga, Kudrmukha, Sringeri, Dharmastala, Bantwal Bethalgady, Naravi and Mulki run every 5–10 minutes.There are government buses to distant places like Bangalore, Hubli,Dharwad, Subramanya , Chickmagalur and all the important places of Karnataka. Private buses from Moodbidri are also available to Bombay, Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
and Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
by established travels like Navami, Nishmitha, Sugama, Vishal, Ideal and Ananad.
Entertainment
The main source of entertainment here is watching movies. There ia a 800 seating capacitySeating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
, theater named "Amarashree." Normally Kannada movies are screened here except very rarely some famous non-Kannada movie like Titanic. There is also a mini theater of 100 seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
, near the main bus stand. Here recently released English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam moveies are screened. In a day, four different language movies are screened, sometimes a single language movie, based on public demand.
Other entertainment is watching Yakshgana, unique to this district. This includes a drama like play on epics, which lasts a whole night, starting at 9:30 pm and ending at 6 am next day. This is played normally once a week, and only in few months a year.
Some private Tulu drama companies play comedy drama at regular intervals between November and June.
See also
- TirthaTirthaIn Jainism, a tīrtha |ford]], a shallow part of a body of water that may be easily crossed") is used to refer both to pilgrimage sites as well as to the four sections of the sangha...
s - Jain Bunt
- ShravanabelagolaShravanabelagolaShravana Belgola is a city located in the Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is 158 km from Bangalore. The statue of Gommateshvara Bahubali at Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism, one that reached a peak in architectural and sculptural...
- Kukke Subramanya Temple
- Dharmastala
- HoranaduHoranaduHoranadu is a Hindu holy city located in Chickmagalur district, Karnataka, India. The deity at the Annapoorneshwari Temple at Horanadu is Annapurneshwari...
- ShringeriShringeriSringeri , also written as Sringeri, Śŗngeri and Śŗngagiri is a hill town and taluk headquarters located in Chikmagalur district in the Indian state of Karnataka, is the site of the first maţha established by Adi Shankaracharya, Hindu theologian and exponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy, in...
- Udupi Krishna TempleUdupi Krishna TempleUdupi Sri Krishna Matha is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Krishna located in the town of Udupi in Karnataka, India....
- MangaloreMangaloreMangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
- KarkalaKarkalaKarkala is a town and the headquarters of Karkala taluk in the Udupi district of Karnataka, India. Located about 380 km from Bangalore, it lies near the Western Ghats....
- KambalaKambalaKambaḷa is a traditional water buffalo race in muddy waters held from December until March. It is the native sport of Tulu Nadu region of South India.-Format :...
- Mangalorean regionalismMangalorean regionalismMangalorean regionalism centers on increasing Tulu Nadu's influence and political power through the formation of a separate Tulu Nadu state from Karnataka. Tulu Nadu is a region on the south-western coast of India. It consists of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka, and the...
- VenurVenurVenur or Venoor is a small village on the banks of the Phalguni river in the South Kanara of Karnataka, India. It was once the seat of Jainism and the capital....