Shri Krishna Temple - Udupi
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🛕 Temple Info
Nestled on the serene coastal belt of Karnataka, the sacred town of Udupi is home to the divine Shri Krishna Temple—one of the most revered Vaishnavite shrines in South India. This temple is renowned for its unique mode of darshan, where devotees behold the enchanting form of Balakrishna (Child Krishna) through the Navagraha Kitiki, a sacred window with nine perforations symbolizing the nine planets.
Udupi Krishna Temple, also known as Krishna Matha, stands as a living testimony to devotion, tradition, and philosophy. The temple's spiritual aura is enhanced by its vibrant religious traditions, cultural richness, and the continuous flow of thousands of devotees seeking Lord Krishna’s blessings.
💫 Importance
Shri Krishna of Udupi is fondly worshipped as "Bala Krishna", and the temple is revered as the Mathura of the South. The idol is believed to be among the most beautiful representations of Krishna, depicted as a young cowherd holding a churning rod and a whip, radiating divine charm and childhood grace.
This divine shrine is closely associated with Kanakadasa, a saint and ardent devotee of Krishna, to whom the Lord turned and gave darshan through a small crack in the wall—now known as Kanakana Kindi, symbolizing inclusivity and grace beyond caste and barriers.
The temple is also famous for its annadana (free meal service) offered to all devotees, the Golden Chariot, and the Paryaya Festival, a unique religious practice where the temple administration rotates among the eight mathas every two years.
📜History
The origins of Udupi Krishna Temple trace back to the 13th century when Jagadguru Sri Madhvacharya, the great philosopher and founder of the Dvaita (dualism) school of Vedanta, established this sacred site. He installed a 5000-year-old idol of Lord Krishna that miraculously arrived at Malpe port near Udupi, sailing from Dwaraka in Gujarat.
According to legend, this idol was originally worshipped by Rukmini Devi, later safeguarded by Arjuna, and eventually consecrated in Udupi by Madhvacharya, an avatar of Sri Mukhya Prana (Hanuman/Bheema).
Madhvacharya also founded the Ashta Mathas (Eight Monasteries) to manage the temple’s daily rituals and traditions. Among them, Shri Puthige Matha, led by the revered Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji, continues to uphold the temple’s legacy with spiritual wisdom and devotion.
The temple complex includes sacred sub-shrines of Lord Hanuman and Garuda, along with the Madhava Sarovara, a holy tank believed to receive Ganga water every ten years.
🪔 Pooja Timings
🕓 04:30 AM – 09:30 PM (All days)
- Special Days:
- Krishna Janmashtami – Grand celebration of the Lord’s birth
- Paryaya Mahotsava – Held every two years during January
- Madhva Navami, Makara Sankranti, and Deepotsava
🚌 Transfort Options
By Air: Nearest airport is Mangaluru International Airport (approx. 60 km)
By Train: Udupi Railway Station is well-connected to major cities
By Road: Udupi lies on NH-66 and is around:
- 60 km from Mangaluru
- 400 km from Bengaluru
- Buses (KSRTC and private) ply frequently
Local Travel: The temple is within walking distance from Udupi city center and is easily accessible by auto-rickshaws and taxis.
🏙️Near By Cities
Mangaluru
Bhatkal
Kundapur
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