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Udupi Sri Krishna Matha
Balakrishna · Udupi, Karnataka
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
The Udupi Sri Krishna Matha in coastal Karnataka is one of the most revered Krishna shrines in South India, established in the 13th century by the philosopher Madhvacharya, founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. Its black-stone image of the child Krishna, holding a churning rod and rope, is worshipped through a silver-plated nine-holed window — the Kanakana Kindi — in a custom unique among Hindu temples.
The Krishna of Madhvacharya
Tradition holds that Madhvacharya received the image of Balakrishna from a ball of gopichandana clay carried by a ship he saved from a storm, and installed it at Udupi. The idol, said to have been worshipped long ago by Rukmini herself, shows Krishna as a child with a churning staff, and it faces west — unusual for a temple deity.
The window of Kanakadasa
The deity is worshipped not through the main door but through a small window of nine holes, the Kanakana Kindi. The story tells of Kanakadasa, a devotee kept outside for his low birth, whose devotion was so great that the image itself turned and a crack opened in the wall so Krishna could give him darshan. The window honours that grace, through which every pilgrim now takes the first sight of the lord.
The Ashta Matha and the Paryaya
Madhvacharya founded eight monasteries (the Ashta Matha) at Udupi, whose pontiffs take turns, two years at a time, to manage the worship of Krishna. The handover, the grand Paryaya festival, is one of the great events of the Udupi calendar. The town is also famous as the home of Udupi cuisine, born in the temple kitchens that feed thousands daily.
How to reach Udupi
- By road: Udupi is on the Karnataka coast, about 60 km north of Mangaluru on NH66.
- By train: Udupi railway station is on the Konkan Railway line.
- By air: Mangaluru International Airport is the nearest, about 60 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who established the Udupi Krishna temple?
It was established in the 13th century by Madhvacharya, the founder of the Dvaita (dualist) school of Vedanta, who installed the image of Balakrishna he is said to have recovered from a ball of gopichandana clay.
Why is Krishna worshipped through a window at Udupi?
Devotees take darshan through the Kanakana Kindi, a nine-holed window, recalling the devotee Kanakadasa for whom the image is said to have turned and a wall cracked open so Krishna could be seen.
What is the Paryaya at Udupi?
The Paryaya is the ceremony in which the eight Udupi mathas (Ashta Matha) take turns, every two years, to manage the worship of Krishna — one of the great festivals of the town.
Which way does the Udupi Krishna idol face?
Unusually, the image faces west and is worshipped through the rear window, rather than facing the main entrance as in most temples.
How do I reach Udupi?
Udupi is about 60 km north of Mangaluru on the Karnataka coast, with its own railway station on the Konkan line and Mangaluru airport about 60 km away.
What is Udupi cuisine’s link to the temple?
The vegetarian Udupi style of cooking grew from the temple kitchens that feed thousands of pilgrims daily, and spread across India through Udupi restaurants.
॥ जय श्री कृष्ण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Krishna as Balakrishna |
| Founder | Madhvacharya (Dvaita Vedanta), 13th c |
| Darshan | Through the nine-holed Kanakana Kindi window |
| System | Ashta Matha Paryaya rotation |
| Main Festival | Krishna Janmashtami / Paryaya |
| Nearest Airport | Mangaluru (~60 km) |