Matti, Karnataka


Matti is a village in the Udupi district of Karnataka state in India that lies on the shore of the Arabian sea.The village is also known by name of Mattu. This village can be reached from town of Udupi by taking a right turn at Katapady on the way to Mangalore.
The village is famous for a particular variety of brinjal that is grown only in this village called Mattu Gulla. The brinjal grown here is light green in colour and is spherical, unlike the usual purple-coloured variety. The first brinjal harvested is offered to Lord Krishna at Krishna Matha, Udupi. The seeds for growing this type of brinjal is said to be given by Shri Vadiraja swamiji.
This village is also famous for a bridge named as Annekatta which connects this tiny village to Katapady. On one side of this bridge lies Mattu village while on other side lies a bus stop because bus is the only public transport available for the people of this village other than auto rickshaw. This village lies in the midst of Arabian sea in the west and a small river in the east side.

Story of Mattu Gulla

The origin or the story behind Mattu Gulla goes like this:
Shree Vadhirajacharya, a monk, was daily offering food to Hayagreeva or Hayavadhana. He used to close the door and a horse steps up on his shoulder to eat it. Vadhirajaru used to return empty vessel always. This enraged other brahmanas, and in turn they mixed poison, thinking that Vadhirajaru has eaten it, as usual he offered food, the horse came and ate fully without leaving a trace. But to their surprise, other Brahmins saw Shri Krishna, Udupi's Idol turning blue in color. So other brahmans felt guilty and went to Vadhirajaru for pardon. Vadhirajaru with his divine powers gave some seeds of Brinjal to Mattu Brahmins to sow it. The brinjal grown there is bought and being offered to Krishna as Nayvedhya. Slowly the blueishness vanished away. So even now "Mattu Gulla" is famous for non-septic in nature.