Sri Krishna Temple Udupi

Udupi is one of the the famous pilgrim sites in Karnataka State. Situated 50 km north of Mangalore on NH17, it is the birthplace Madhava, a famous 12th century Vaishnava teacher. The town is an open square surrounded by temples and manths with an ornate wooden verandaahs. Among the famous is, the Krishna Temple a 12th century old temple. It is located on the north side of the temple square in the heart of Udupi.

Also called as Krishna Mutt or Krishna Math, thousands of devotees visit this temple to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna-the patron deity of the temple all round the year. It was built in the Dravidian architectural style and the idol of the lord was installed by the Vaishnavite Saint Shri Madhvacharya founder of Dwaita Philosophy. It is a famous pilgrim place for Vaishnavites.

A unique feature of this temple is that the Lord is worshipped only through a window called the Navagraha Kitiki. It is the main attraction of the temple. It is a small exquisitely carved silver - plated window with nine holes at the back of the mutt and the lord is worshipped only through this window. The name of the window was derived from a lower caste devotee of the lord, Kanakadasa who later became a great composer. There is a legend that Lord Krishna gave his darshan to Kanakadasa by breaking open the walls on the western side of the temple. Since then there is no front door to this temple, only this window.

The temple is situated in Car Street surrounded by Ashta (eight) Mutts like Annayacharya Mutt, Mulubagilu Mutt, Bhandarikeri Mutt, Vysaraya Mutt, Bheemanakatte Mutt, Uttaradi Mutt and Shri Raghavendra Mutt.The daily rituals and management of the temple are carried out by Ashta Mathas. At the entrance, a statue of Chennakeshava can be seen. At the entrance of the temple is huge gopuara known as Kanakana Kindi.

At the entrance to the Sri Krishna Mutt, one can see a huge bronze bell, which is rung during pooja time. There is also a time keeper beats a huge plate with a wooden hammer notifying the beginning of each and every hour.

Built in traditional style with a wooden hall and sloping roofs, it faces east towards a large tank the Madhava Sarovar. It is believed that the holy river Ganga flows into this lake every 10 years. In the south west corner of this tank, is a beautiful idol of Goddess Bhagirati seated on a crocodile.

The idol of Lord Krishna is richly adorned with jewels. The temple opens from 5'o’ clock in the morning and continue through out the day.

The mutt also has a spacious home for cows, a shrine to Subrahmanya, a temple to the Nava­grahas, Vasantha Mahal, a stage where discourses are held and groups of devotees sing bhajans, Gita Mandir, Rajangana, an enor­mous auditorium where regular dis­courses and cultural and folk perform­ances take place, three dining rooms, where hundreds of people are fed everyday.

The temple celebrates many festivals like Madhvanavami, Ramanavami, Nrisimha jayanthi, Bhagirathi janmadina, Krishna Leelothsava, Ganesha Chathurthi, Anantha Chathurdashi, Subrahmanya shashti, navarathri dasara, Holi, Vasantha Puja, Jagarana seva, Thulasi Pooja, Laksha deepothsava, Dhanu Pooja, Sapthothsava and chariot festival. Parayaya festival is the main festival of the temple celebrated on even years in January, attended by a large number of people. On this day, Krishna holding the spear can be viewed. This image is said to have been rescued from a ship wrecked on the sea at Malpe.

• Contact address :
  Sri Krishna Math
  Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya Moola Mahasamstana
  Udupi - 576101
  Karnataka
  Phone: 91-8252-20598, 23402