The word ‘Udupi’ means the ‘moon’ or ‘the lord of the stars’, because at this place the god of the moon Chandra, who was cursed by Daksha, came to worship Lord Mahadev for the purpose of being relieved of these symptoms of that reactions of that curse. This is the original temple of Udupi that has been here for long, long time since ancient history.
“This is the great and holy land which was so much sanctified by the presence and teachings of Sripada Madvacharya. Sripad Madvacharya and his descendants preach very boldly in this whole area and even throughout the entire nation, the glories of worship of the supreme Lord Krishna and the chanting of his holy names. And just five hundred years ago yugavatar Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also came to this place and inspired everyone in all the towns and villages to chat the holy names of Hari and become perfect in their spiritual life.” – Radhanath Swami
In actuality the heritage of everyone here, in this area of India is to follow in the footsteps of great souls like Madvacharya and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore it is the natural duty of every living being to accept that great heritage and take the mercy of the lord by taking the dust of the feet of these great souls on our heads. And to take the dust of the feet of a great soul on our heads, does not mean simply in a physical sense. The dust of the feet of the great souls is his instructions. To surrender our life to the instructions of the great souls is the actual process of taking the dust of their feet on our heads. And what is that instruction? It is to always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna through the path of Bhakti.
