The Udupi Anantheshwara Temple is a historic Hindu temple devoted to Lord Ananteshwara Parashurama, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is situated in Udupi, India and is unique in that Parashurama is worshipped in the form of a Linga. According to writer Roshen Dalal, the city is believed to be part of Parashurama Kshetra, a region claimed by Parashurama from the sea. Legend has it that a king named Ramabhoja worshipped Parashurama in the form of a Linga, which then appeared on a silver seat (rajata pitha). Therefore, in Sanskrit texts, the city is known as Rajata Pitha.
It is also believed that the Pandavas built the temple. The temple was erected during the Alupas’ reign in the 8th century C.E. and is one of the oldest temples in the Tulu Nadu region. The Ananteshwara Temple of Lord Parashurama is situated near the Chandramouleshwara Temple of Lord Shiva.
Puttige Matha, one of Udupi’s Ashta Mathas, manages the temple, which is the oldest in Udupi. This is the location where Jagadguru Sri Madhvacharya wrote many of his Tattvavada scripts, taught them to his disciples, and then disappeared to Badari to stay with Lord Vedavyasa. In addition to the temple, there is also a shrine for Lord Ayyappa nearby.