Kundapur

The name Kundapura can be traced to the Kundeshwara Temple built by Kundavarma of the Alupa dynasty who ruled the region in the 10th - 11th century, in the vicinity of the Panchagangavalli River.[2] In Kundagannada language, the word "Kunda" also refers to the flower Jasmine.Where the Majority people of Kundapura grow flower Jasmine in this region which came to be called as kundapura(Land of Jasmine).

Kundapura is surrounded by water from three sides. To the north lies the Panchagangavalli River. To the east lies the Kalaghar river. To the west lie the Kodi backwaters sea walk and the Arabian Sea, leaving the south side as the main connecting land mass. All connecting roads to Kundapura enter the city from the southern direction. North side of the town is vast backwaters of Panchagangavali river and a bridge has been constructed across it.

Kundagannada, Tulu, Malayalam, Konkani and Urdu are spoken by the residents of Kundapur.

As of the 2011 India census,[3]

• Kundapur has a population of 30,444.
• Males constitute 49% of the population and females 51%.
• Literate population was 25,191, with a Literacy rate of 82%, higher than the national average of 59.5%.

Kundapur is connected to other parts of the country by NH66. SH52 is a State Highway that connects to Shimoga District. This Highway connects cities and towns of different states. Kundapur is also connected to the Konkan Railway, which runs from Mumbai to Mangalore. The railway station is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the town. The nearest airport is Mangalore International Airport, at Bajpe around 87 kilometres (54 mi) from Kundapur.

Kundapura railway station, along the Konkan Railway, is used by Kerala pilgrims who visit Kolluru Mookambika Temple

Kundapur is located at a distance of 38 km (24 mi) from Udupi, 40 km (25 mi) from Manipal, 30 km (19 mi) from Byndoor, 54 km (34 mi) Bhatkal, 91 km (57 mi) from Mangalore and 181 km (112 mi) from Karwar, which are the other major cities/towns in Coastal Karnataka.

There are private local buses and some out of town is serviced by government owned buses. Buses can be found for Udupi and Mangalore, and there are multiple bus stands. The main bus stand where the buses to Udupi and Mangalore are available is called "New bus stand", is near the police station. Another frequently used mode of transportation is auto rikshaw.