Udupi Streets Culture Mapping

We the fourth year students of Architecture from Manipal School of Architecture and Planning, Nymisha, Anvita, Stuthi, Charan, Thomas and Abhishek, as part of our elective, conservation studies are trying to document and analyze the North street leading into the Krishna Mutt complex. By the guidance of our mentor Ar Sarmistha Chatterjee we were able to breakdown the aspects of the street and were able to understand how to be sensitive with the street. She was able to make us respect our work and every aspect that it concerns and hence were able to complete the documentation with a happy and content heart. We asked ourselves questions like – What about the street gives it such a unique character? What makes the locals frequent the street? What attracts visitors to walk through that street to enter the temple complex? Why do pedestrians take a moment to pause at certain spots. What distinguishes this street from the new ones. What aspect of the street brings in comfort to the passer by and the shop owners? These led us on in our analysis

“According to legend, the moon’s light was once reduced due to a curse by King Daksha, whose 27 daughters (the 27 stars,according to Hindu astrology) were married to the moon. The moon prayed to Lord Shiva to get back its original shine. Lord Shiva was pleased with the moon’s prayer and restored its shine. Legend says that the moon and his wives made their prayer at the Chandramouleeshwara temple at Udupi, creating a linga that can be seen even today. According to this story, therefore, Udupi means the land of the “lord of the stars,” the moon.”
Many such tales describe the city of Udupi. It talks about the city’s cultural significance, rich heritage that has been passed down through generations etc. all these make the people of Udupi of what they are today. One such place that holds such an importance to the city is the Krishna Mutt complex. Thousands of pious devotees visit the Udupi Krishna temple all round the year to catch a glimpse of Lord Krishna. But that’s not all, what fascinates them more are the streets that surround the temple complex.

The first impression while visiting the street was ‘ Why is the street so old-looking?’ ‘What can possibly be so difficult to understand from a short stretch such as this?’ ‘ The street gives a religious vibe!’  from questions to finding answers to minor arguments and opinions we finally were able to feel the integrity and complexity of the street.

In conservation, assumption is a crime! Authenticity is the key. Therefore to understand better about the place and street and it’s nature, we interviewed all the shop owners and vendors about their experience with the street and the temple complex. Our group was lucky to have three people who speak the local language therefore it was quite easy to make them talk to us about themselves. This shows how much one’s mother-tongue  makes one so much more comfortable even if he does not know the person who he/she is talking to. 

From a person whose family sold cotton textiles for more than 100 years to a person who came to the street a year ago have so much good to talk about of the street that it makes all of us feel so happy. Hanumakka a vendor who sells vegetables was very pleased to have a conversation about her daily routine of selling vegetables and also how she changes her locations within the street according to wherever she finds shade.

• The lane is known for its textile for more than 80 years
• Height restrictions cannot go beyond the existing building structure
• Temporary Front encroachments is possible as long as no one objects)