Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi

Founded by

Madhvacharya (13th century)

Timings

About 4 am to 9 pm

Best time

October to March

Nearest airport

Mangaluru (about 60 km)

Nearest railway station

Udupi

History and legends

Tradition credits the founding of the temple to Madhvacharya in the 13th century. The story goes that he calmed a storm to save a ship off the coast, and in return received a lump of clay ballast that held an image of Krishna, which he installed in Udupi.

A later legend concerns Kanakadasa, a 16th-century poet-saint who was refused entry. As he sang outside, the image is said to have turned to face him through a gap in the wall, which is why the deity faces west. Udupi is also closely tied to the Dasa Sahitya devotional literature in Kannada.

What to see

Darshan is through the Navagraha Kitiki, a window with nine openings covered in silver. Around the courtyard are images of Hanuman, Madhvacharya, Garuda and other deities, and the Madhva Sarovara tank lies to the south. The eastern gate is opened only on Vijayadashami. Nearby stand the Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples, both very old.

The temple is managed by the Ashta Mathas: Palimaru, Adamaru, Krishnapura, Puttige, Shirur, Sodhe, Kaniyooru and Pejavara, each taking charge for a two-year term.

Timings and dress code

The temple is open daily from about 4 am to 9 pm, with different pujas at set times through the day. For some rituals men are expected to remove shirts and wear a dhoti or mundu, and women should wear a saree or salwar kameez. Festivals such as Ugadi, Ramanavami, Akshaya Tritiya and Krishna Janmashtami draw large crowds.

Best time and how to reach

October to March is the most pleasant season on the coast. Mangaluru International Airport is about 60 km south. Udupi railway station on the Konkan line is a short auto ride from the temple, and buses run from Mangaluru, Mysuru and Bengaluru. We can combine Udupi with Kollur, Murudeshwar and Gokarna on a coastal temple tour.

Also nearby