Moodabidri (Tulu / Kannada:ಮೂಡಬಿದ್ರಿ) (also called Mudbidri, Moodbiri), an ancient center of Jain learning, is a small town 37 km northeast of the Dakshin 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 (Kannada: ಮೂಡುವೇಣುಪುರ).

Its average elevation is 147 metres (482 feet).

Location

Moodbidri is on National Highway 13. Moodabidri is accessible from Mangalore by bus. Just 38 km away. You can reach Mangalore by train, bus or air. Mangalore Airport is just 20 away from Moodbidri. It is at an hour distance from Udupi, place of world fame Sree krishna temple. Also it is near to another jain centric place called Karkala. The other nearby places are Venoor, Kudremukh.

Tourist Places:

Gowri Temple located at heart of the city is the oldest temple in Moodbidiri. The temple is said to have been built in 7th century.

Hanuman Temple located at 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 Basadis, 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.

• 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. The common people also call this temple as 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 storeyed construction was supported by the rulers, the Jain Bhattaraka 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 Vijayanagara style. A 15-meter tall single stone pillar called manastambha stands in front of the 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 Chowtas, 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.

Bus / Train Booking

On-line train and bus (govt. and private) booking facility is available at Moodbidri, to different places.

Railway station

There is no railway station in Moodbidri. The nearby ones are, at Mangalore (60 minutes journey by bus) or Udupi (90 minutes by bus). At Mangalore there are 2 railway stations, namely, Mangalore Central and mangalore Junction (popularly known as kankanady railway station).

Mangalore Junction Railway Station (Kankanadi Railway Station) is situated 5 km east of Mangalore. It is under the administration of the Southern Railways. Netravathi Express, Gandhidham Express, Rajdhani, Kouchevelli express, Dehradun express and Mangala Lakshadweep Express are the main trains that pass through the station. Code: MAJN Reservation enquiry: Dial local line 1361 (IVRS)

Mangalore Central Railway Station (Mangalore Railway Station) is about 1 km from the heart of Mangalore. The Malabar Express, Mangalore Mail, Navyug express, Parasuram Express and Matsyagandha Express pass through this station. Going north, the main station next to Mangalore is at Udupi and traveling south Kasargod Railway Station is the nearest main station Just a few minutes walk from the railway station is the Mangalore Bus terminus. Railway Station Code: MAQ

Udupi Railway Station is managed by the Konkan Railways. It is located about 2 km from Udupi town and is on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mumbai rail route. Direct trains are available to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Traveling north, Kundapura Railway Station is the nearest main station.

Accommodation / Hotels

Moodbidri is a small town with enough accoommodation facilities for visitors. Hotel rooms are available (with A/C and Non- A/C) at Pancharathna International, Padival's Restaurant,Hotel Kadal ,Nishmitha Plaza, Navami Comforts, Pandit resorts'. All these hotels are situated very near to the main bus stand. For jain visitors, Moodbidri Jain Math has a bunch of good rooms at nominal rent.

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