About Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi, Karnataka
Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is a historic Vaishnava temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in his Bala Krishna form. The temple was established by Sri Madhvacharya in the 13th century and became the centre of the Dvaita tradition and the Ashta Matha system in Udupi.
The temple is known for its west-facing Krishna image, darshan through the Navagraha Kindi, the Kanakana Kindi tradition, daily worship and Anna Dasoha. Its religious life is closely connected with the eight Ashta Mathas, which take responsibility for the temple through the biennial Paryaya system.
Story of Udupi Sri Krishna Matha
The history of Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is closely connected with Sri Madhvacharya, the philosopher associated with the Dvaita school of Vedanta. In the 13th century, he established the Krishna Matha and entrusted the worship of Lord Krishna to eight of his disciples. These became the Ashta Mathas of Udupi and continue to form the institutional foundation of the temple.
According to temple tradition, Madhvacharya recovered the Krishna image from a lump of gopichandana associated with a ship that had reached the coast near Malpe. He brought the image to Udupi and installed it for worship. The story belongs to the religious tradition of the Matha and is not presented as an archaeological account.
The temple has a distinctly coastal Karnataka character, with a compact sacred complex, traditional roofs, courtyards and the Madhva Sarovara beside the Matha. The surrounding Ratha Beedi, or Car Street, is part of the temple's ritual setting, particularly during processions and festivals. The older Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara shrines stand close to the Krishna Matha and form part of Udupi's wider temple landscape.
One of the most distinctive features is the way devotees receive darshan. The Bala Krishna image faces west and is viewed through the inner Navagraha Kindi, a silver-plated window with nine openings. The outer opening associated with Kanakadasa is known as the Kanakana Kindi. This arrangement gives Udupi Krishna Temple an unusual place among major Krishna shrines.
What Makes Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Sacred for Devotees
The tradition of the Krishna idol
The sacred history of the Krishna image begins, according to Matha tradition, with its association with Dwaraka and Rukmini Devi. In the widely told Udupi account, the image was later found within gopichandana and brought to the coast by a ship. Madhvacharya is said to have recovered it and installed it at Udupi.
The tradition explains why the deity is worshipped as Bala Krishna and why the image has such a central place in Udupi's religious life.
Kanakana Kindi and Kanakadasa
The best-known Udupi legend is associated with Kanakadasa, the Haridasa saint and poet. Tradition says that he could not enter the temple and worshipped Krishna from outside the western wall.
According to the legend, Krishna turned toward Kanakadasa and a small opening appeared in the wall, allowing the devotee to see the deity. The opening became known as the Kanakana Kindi, while the inner nine-holed silver window is known as the Navagraha Kindi.
This is a sacred tradition preserved through the temple's religious memory. The historical details of the story are not identical in every account, so the legend should be presented as tradition rather than as settled historical fact.
The Ashta Mathas
The Ashta Mathas are eight monastic institutions traditionally established by Madhvacharya to continue the worship of Lord Krishna and the teaching of Dvaita philosophy. They are Palimaru, Adamaru, Krishnapura, Puttige, Shiroor, Sodhe, Kaniyooru and Pejavara.
Each Matha has its own pontiff and religious lineage. Together they form the system through which the Krishna Matha continues to be administered and worshipped.
Paryaya
The Paryaya is the biennial transfer of responsibility for the worship and administration of Sri Krishna Matha from one Ashta Matha to another. The present two-year cycle is traditionally associated with Sri Vadiraja Tirtha, who changed the earlier shorter rotation in the 16th century.
The Paryaya ceremony is therefore more than a festival. It is the formal continuation of the temple's unique system of shared responsibility among the eight Mathas.
Anna Brahma and Anna Dasoha
Food has a central place in the worship of Krishna at Udupi. The temple's Anna Dasoha tradition provides prasada meals to devotees and is closely associated with the idea of Anna Brahma, the sacred nature of food offered to the Lord and shared with the community.
This tradition is part of the daily life of the Matha, not only a festival activity.
Annual Festivals & Rituals at Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi, Karnataka
Daily Worship Celebrations at the Temple
The temple follows an elaborate sequence of daily poojas beginning in the early morning and continuing into the evening. The cycle includes Nirmalya Visarjane, Ushakala Pooja, Panchamrita Pooja, Alankara Pooja, Mahapooja, evening seva and the final night worship. The public darshan schedule is organised around these rituals, so access may pause during important poojas and offerings.
Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations at the Temple
Krishna Janmashtami is one of the principal festivals at Udupi. The Matha observes the birth of Lord Krishna with special worship and decorations, followed by Vittla Pindi or Mosaru Kudike, the traditional celebration associated with Krishna's childhood pastimes.
Paryaya Celebrations at the Temple
Paryaya is held once every two years and marks the transfer of Krishna Matha's worship and administration to the next Ashta Matha. The handover takes place with processions, rituals and the transfer of important temple responsibilities.
Rathotsava and Ratha Beedi Celebrations at the Temple
Rathotsava is the temple's chariot festival, when the utsava deity is taken in procession through the Ratha Beedi. The car-street tradition is an important part of Udupi's public religious life.
Deepotsava Celebrations at the Temple
Deepotsava is observed with rows of lamps and special worship. The festival forms part of the wider annual cycle of Krishna Matha celebrations.
Madhva Navami, Navaratri and Vasantotsava Celebrations at the Temple
The temple also observes Madhva Navami, Navaratri, Vasantotsava and other festivals in the Vaishnava and Madhva calendar. Their dates and detailed programmes vary according to the religious calendar and the current Paryaya administration.
Sacred Places to Visit Near Udupi Sri Krishna Matha
Anantheshwara Temple : Anantheshwara is one of Udupi's oldest temples and stands close to the Krishna Matha. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and forms an important part of the town's older religious landscape.
Chandramouleshwara Temple : Chandramouleshwara is another ancient Shiva shrine near the Krishna Matha. Together with Anantheshwara, it shows the older Shaiva layer of Udupi's sacred geography.
Pajaka Kshetra : Pajaka Kshetra is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Sri Madhvacharya. The site is closely associated with his life and therefore has a natural place in a pilgrimage centred on Udupi Krishna Matha.
Malpe : Malpe is the coastal town associated with the Krishna-idol tradition involving Madhvacharya. It is also one of the principal coastal destinations near Udupi.
St. Mary's Island : St. Mary's Island lies off the Malpe coast and is known for its distinctive basalt rock formations. It can be combined with a visit to Udupi when local boat services are operating.
Plan Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Darshan
For current darshan planning, detailed timings, entry preparation and Naman Darshan's Guided Darshan Assistance, continue to the dedicated Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Darshan page.
Common Questions About Visiting Udupi Sri Krishna Matha
Visitor Information
Darshan Timing
Address
Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Car Street, Udupi, Karnataka 576101, India
Notable Events
13th century - Foundation of the Krishna Matha – Sri Madhvacharya established the Krishna Matha and the Ashta Matha system in Udupi. • 16th century - Paryaya system expanded to two-year terms – The longer rotation is traditionally associated with Sri Vadiraja Tirtha of the Sodhe Matha. • 16th century - Kanakadasa tradition becomes part of Udupi's sacred memory – The story of Krishna turning west toward Kanakadasa is associated with the origin of the Kanakana Kindi tradition. • 2017 - Brahmakalashotsava after renovation – The Pauli of Krishna Matha underwent renovation and a Brahmakalashotsava ceremony was held in May 2017. • 2026-2028 - Shiroor Matha Paryaya – Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Matha assumed the Paryaya responsibility on 18 January 2026 for the current two-year term.
How to Reach the Temple
By air: Mangaluru International Airport is the nearest major airport and is about 60 km from Udupi.
By rail: Udupi Railway Station is on the Konkan Railway network and connects the town with major destinations along the west coast and beyond.
By road: Udupi is connected by NH 66 and regular bus and taxi services operate from Mangaluru, Bengaluru and other Karnataka cities.
Within Udupi: The Krishna Matha is located on Car Street in the centre of Udupi. Auto-rickshaws and local taxis are commonly used for the final part of the journey.
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