Udupi

The Shri Krishna Matha of Karnataka, founded by Shri Madhvacharya, where the Lord turned to give darshan to the devotee Kanakadasa.

The Shri Krishna Matha in the coastal town of Udupi in Karnataka was founded in the thirteenth century by Shri Madhvacharya, the great teacher of Dvaita Vedanta. According to the popular tradition, a ship caught in a storm at sea reached the shore safely by the Acharya's grace. The grateful sailors offered him a block of gopichandana clay, and inside it was a beautiful deity of child Krishna holding a churning rod and rope. Madhvacharya installed this very deity at Udupi.

The most touching story here is that of the devotee-poet Kanakadasa. According to tradition, he was not allowed to enter the temple, so he stood at the back and sang to the Lord with deep love. The wall cracked and the deity of Shri Krishna turned around to face him. That opening is known today as the "Kanakana Kindi" (Kanaka's window), and since then the Lord has faced west. Devotees take darshan through the nine-holed Navagraha window. The story reminds every pilgrim that the Lord looks only at devotion, not at caste or rank.

Shri Madhvacharya established eight mathas for eight of his disciples, known as the Ashta Mathas. Their swamis take turns, two years at a time, in caring for the worship of Shri Krishna; this system is called Paryaya, and the handing over of charge is celebrated as the grand Paryaya festival. Krishna Janmashtami, the Rathotsava at Makara Sankranti and Madhva Navami are other major festivals.

Practical note: Udupi lies on the Konkan Railway and has its own railway station. The nearest large city and airport is Mangaluru. The anna-prasad served at the Matha is also part of Udupi's identity.

State

Karnataka

Nearest City

Mangaluru

Main Temples

Shri Krishna Matha, Kanakana Kindi, Ashta Mathas

Associated Leela

Child Krishna with churning rod; the Lord turning for Kanakadasa