Saligrama | |
Settlement Type: | town in Brahmavar taluk |
Pushpin Map: | India Karnataka#India3 |
Pushpin Label Position: | right |
Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in Karnataka, India |
Coordinates: | 13.5°N 74.8°W |
Subdivision Type: | Country |
Subdivision Type1: | State |
Subdivision Name1: | Karnataka |
Subdivision Type2: | District |
Subdivision Name2: | Udupi District |
Unit Pref: | Metric |
Population Total: | 15138 |
Population As Of: | 2011[1] |
Population Density Km2: | auto |
Demographics Type1: | Languages |
Demographics1 Title1: | Official |
Demographics1 Info1: | Kannada |
Timezone1: | IST |
Utc Offset1: | +5:30 |
Postal Code Type: | PIN |
Postal Code: | 576225[2] |
Area Code Type: | Telephone code |
Area Code: | 0820[3] |
Registration Plate: | KA-20[4] |
Saligrama is a town on NH 66 in Brahmavara taluk of Udupi district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located between Kundapura and Brahmavar. It is 24 km north of Udupi and 81 km from Mangalore.
India census,[5] Saligram had a population of 14,959. The male population constitute 47% of the population and female population consists of 53%. Saligram has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 68%. In Saligram, 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The name is derived from the sacred stone Saligrama worshipped by the Vaishnavas Smarthas (Hindus) as an aniconic symbol of Lord Vishnu.
Saligrama has special importance for those who follow Lord Guru Narasimha as their community deity. It was believed that the community followed Lord Guru Narasimha as their spiritual guru instead of following mutts for spiritual guidance as an image of Lord Narasimha appeared in Raja Bhattacharya's dream instructing him to do so.
Most of the people of Saligrama are Kota Brahmins. The main language spoken in Saligrama is Kundagannada. Tulu and Konkani is also spoken here.
Saligrama is located approximately midway between Udupi and Kundapur on National Highway 17.Bus service is available from Udupi and Kundapur. Direct bus service is available from Saligrama to the state capital Bangalore and Mumbai.Local means of transport is through autos and taxis.