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The Alupa dynasty (ಅಳುಪೆರ್, ಆಳ್ವೆರ್) was an India Hindu dynasty that ruled from 200 to 1444 A.D. in Southern India. The kingdom they ruled was known as Alvakheda Arusasira and its territory spanned the Tulunad of the modern Indian state known as Karnataka.
In the Tulu language, ಆಳ್ಪು (Alup) means 'to rule', ಆಳ್ಪುನು (Alupunu) means 'ruling', ಆಳುಪೆ / ಆಳ್ಪೆ / ಆಳ್ಪುನಾಯೆ (Alupe) means 'ruler' (one who rules). According to B. A. Saletore, the name Alupa may be derived from its variant Aluka which is an epithet of the divine serpent Shesha of Hinduism epics. Fleet has suggested that the name Aluka may possibly denote the Nāgas, who in early times were included in Chalukya dominions. Saletore further adds that the Naga origin of the Alupas is proved by two facts. The figure of a hooded serpent which is found in an effaced Alupa stone inscription in the Gollara Ganapati temple in Mangalore and their ultra Shaivism tendencies. Saletore dismisses the idea regarding the Dravidian origin of the name from the Tulu language word Alunu meaning 'to rule' or 'govern'.
The rule over Uttara Kannada region, with Banavasi as its capital was by Chutu clan followed by the Shatavahana branch which governed for Siri, Siva, Pulumavi and Yajna Satakarnis, prior to the Kadambas. With the Kadambas rule from Banavasi, Karnataka saw developments in the field of art and culture. Land of Karnataka saw more and more epigraphs that recorded the activities of the past, mostly erected in the temple premises. The first clear mention of Alupas comes from the Halmidi inscription of 450 CE where their possible early ruler Pashupathi of Alapa (Alupa) gana is mentioned. Pashupathi was the contemporary of the Kadambas. Hence for historical record, we can safely assume that the dynastic formation of Alupas took place around 5th century CE. Their royal emblem was the double fish and they claimed to belong to the Pandyavamsha and Soma Kula (lunar dynasty).Kamath (2001), p94
An Old Malayalam inscription (Ramanthali inscriptions), dated to 1075 CE, mentioning king Kunda Alupa, can be found at Ezhimala (the former headquarters of Mushika dynasty) near Kannur, Kerala.
The first known epigraph that talks about the possession of Banavasi Mandala (Banavasi kingdom of Uttara Kannada District) by the Alupas, belongs to the reign of Western Chalukya king Vinayaditya.Journal of the Institute of Indian Studies, 1978 May Vol#1 Te epigraph comes from Jambani of Sagar Taluk, discovered by Dr Gururaj Bhat, mentions about Chitravahana Alupendra in possession of Kadamba mandala. This is, in fact, the first stone epigraph that points the ruler as a subordinate to Western Chalukya King (8th century CE). An Old Malayalam inscription (Ramanthali inscriptions), dated to 1075 CE, mentioning king Kunda Alupa, the ruler of Alupa dynasty of Mangalore, can be found at Ezhimala (the former headquarters of Mushika dynasty) near Kannur, in the North Malabar region of Kerala.Narayanan, M. G. S. Perumāḷs of Kerala. Thrissur (Kerala): CosmoBooks, 2013. 483. It is one of the oldest inscriptions available about Alupa dynasty. (450 C.E) which mentions Pashupathi, the earliest known Alupa king by name.]]
| Pashupathi | 450 CE | |
| To be known | 500 – 7th century CE | |
| Aluvarasa I | Early 7th century | Father-in-law of Pulakeshin II |
| Gunasagara | 660–630 CE | |
| Chitravahana | 663–730 CE | Husband of Chalukya princess Kumkuma Mahadevi and brother-in-law of Chalukya Vijayaditya |
| Aluvarasa II | Incurred the wrath of the Chalukyas | |
| Chitravahana II | ||
| Ranasagara | ||
| Pritvisagara | ||
| Marama | ||
| Vimaladitya | ||
| Alva Rananjaya | ||
| Dattalupa | ||
| Kundavarma | 960–980 CE | |
| Jayasimha | 980–1010 CE | |
| Bankideva Alupendra | ||
| Pattiyodeya | ||
| Pandya Pattiyodeya | 1080–1110 CE | |
| Kavi Alupendra CE | ||
| Pattiyodeya Kulashekara Alupendra | 1160–1220 CE | |
| Kundana | 1220–1230 CE | |
| Vallabhadeva Duttalupa | ||
| Virapandya | 1250–1275 CE | |
| Queen Ballamahadevi and Nagadevarasa | 1275–1285 CE | |
| Bankideva II | ||
| Soyideva | ||
| Kulashekara | 1335–1346 CE | Son of Hoysala Veera Ballala III and Alupa princess Chikkayitayi |
| Bankideva III | ||
| Kulashekara III | 1355–1390 CE | |
| Virapandya II |
1. Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple, Polali In modern Mangalore District, Polali Rajarajeshwari Temple is one of the oldest temple that has the earliest inscription of the Alupa dynasty, written in 8th century Kannada. The temple is dedicated to Sri Rajarashewari, and Alupa kings enriched this temple during throughout their rule.
2. Sri Manjunatheshwara Temple, Kadri In modern Mangalore district, Kadri has the other important and old temple that belonged to the era of Alupas. The temple has several finest bronze statues installed by the King Kundavarma, which bears inscriptions of him dated 968 CE. In the inscription of Lokeshwara statue, king Kundavarma is compared to Arjuna in bravery.
3. Sri Mahishamardini Temple, Neelavara
In times, Alupas changed their capital from Mangalore to Udyavara, Udyavara to Mangalore and then again to Barkur depending on the political situation and demand. To be in centre to their ruling place, they even shifted their capital to Barakur from where they could look after the vast territory which spread up to Ankola in the North Kanara (Uttara Kannada District). During this period, they patronised several temples in the surrounding areas of Barakuru (which was their capital). Neelavara Kshetra is one such a holy place where Mahishasuramardini temple has several Alupa inscriptions of later period.
4. Sri Panchalingeshwara Temple, Vittla
This temple is one of the oldest temple of Alupa territory, built during 7th century CE. The architecture of the temple is in line with that of Sri Ananteshwara temple which is the oldest temple built by the Alupas. The architecture is unique and is an innovation of 7th century. The Havyaka Brahmins of Uttara Kannada were attracted during 7th century CE by the Alupas and were given Agraharas for imparting Vedic knowledge to the people of Alvakheda. The Alupas built many temples and allowed these Brahmins to take care of it. The legend says that there were hundreds of temples that every day there is a festival in one or other temple of the region. The temple of Vittla Panchalingeshwara is one of the oldest structure which was renovated by the later local dynasties such as Heggades.
5. Sri Anantheshwara Temple, Udupi
Diagonally opposite to the main entrance of the Sri Krishna Mutt, and adjacent to the Chandramouleeshwara Temple, stands one of the oldest Alupa temple namely Sri Anantheswara Temple. An old belief is that lighting a lamp at the ancient Anantheshwara Temple takes away evil and sins. It is one of the biggest temple in Udupi. The main idol is Linga, whose adornment makes it to look like a Face of Lord Siva. From a small window on the left, the site where Madhvacharya disappeared is seen.
Both Sri Vittla Panchalingeshwara and Sri Udupi Anantheshwara Temple have Elephant-back type curvilinear structure. Another temple of similar architecture is also seen in Aihole Durga temple, appears to be a structure of 7th century CE. So, tagging it to any architectural style is ruled out unless more detailed study or research is done on this topic. The unique noteworthy feature of the architecture of South Canara temples is their roof. Being in a landscape of high rainfall, the temple roofs evolved from grass, clay tiles and eventually with the copper-plates.
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