Udupi Sri Krishna Matha

Chariot in front of Sri Krishna Temple

The Krishna Matha was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya in the 13th century. He was the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. It is believed that Madhwacharya found the Vigraha of Sri Krishna in a large ball of gopichandana.[2] As told by Sri Madhwacharya, in his Tantrasara Sangraha, the Vigraha is placed Pashchimabhimukha(facing West). All the other Vigrahas in other Ashta mutts face west as well. Devotees always have darshan of Lord Krishna through the inner window, known as Navagraha kindi & the outer window known as Kanakana kindi, which is decorated by an arch named after him. A statue has also been erected. A similar window covers the immediate front of the Vigraha and is called Navagraha kindi. It is often mistaken to be Kanakana kindi.[3]

The temple opens by 5.30 in the morning. The unique feature of the temple is that the deity is worshipped through the silver-plated window with nine holes (Navagraha kindi).[4] The temple also offers prasadam (lunch) in the noon and is popularly known as Anna Brahma as it feeds a vast number of devotees.

The daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (eight monasteries). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs temple management activities for two years in a cyclical order. They are collectively known as the Ashta Mathagalu in Kannada language.

The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.

These eight Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura.

The expenses of Udupi Krishna Matha are borne by the voluntary contribution of devotees and by Ashta matha's which manage the Krishna mutt. The contribution may be in cash or kind. The Krishna matha which owned large tracts of land lost all land due to the implementation of Land reforms act 1975 by the Government of Karnataka.

The Pauli of Krishna Matha was renovated and Brahmakalashotsava ceremony was held on 18 May 2017.[5]

During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the temple management is handed over to the next Ashta Matha, which has been entrusted the responsibility of running the temple turn by turn. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the temple during his Paryaya. The Paryaya is held on even years like 2008, 2010 and 2012. The Paryaya tradition has completed 500 years as of 2021.[6] Presently, Sri Admaru Math is administering the temple with Junior Pontiff Sri Eshapriya Teertha Swami [7]ascending the post of Sarvajna or Paryaya Peetha. Festivals like Makara Sankranthi, Ratha Sapthami, Madhva Navami, Hanuman Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Navarathi Mahotsava, Madhva Jayanti (Vijaya Dashami), Naraka Chathurdashi, Deepavali, Geetha Jayanthi etc. are celebrated very grandly by Paryaya Mutt every year.[8]

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  Temple painted in yellow-red
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  Brahma ratha of Udupi Krishna
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  Goshala at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
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  The Chariot at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
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  Golden Chariot of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
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  Base of Navarathna Chariot
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  Udupi Sri krishna Temple Pond

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Udupi Krishna Temple.

• Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi
• Temples in Udupi
• Udupi Shri Krishna photos
• Udupi Shri Krishna Temple and related information guide