Udupi is often called the ‘Mathura of South India’ because it is a holy place for Lord Krishna worshippers and devotees. The Krishna Temple Udupi is a place of sanctity for Krishna devotees. Thousands of people come to worship and offer their prayers to Lord Krishna daily. The temple is considered a house of the best Krishna idol as the Lord Krishna is depicted in his younger form as Balakrishna. The unique aspect of this temple is no one is allowed to see the idol directly but use the 9-holed window to see him. The temple is quite fascinating.
Krishna Temple Udupi: Everything You Need To Know
The Krishna Temple Udupi is a stunning temple that is a must-visit for every devotee of Lord Krishna.
1. Lord Krishna Temple Udupi Highlights
- There are 8 mathas on the temple premises; Adamaru Matha, Pejawara Matha, Palimaru Matha, Puthige Math, Shiroor Matha, Kaniyooru Matha, Krishnapura Matha, and Sode Matha.
- Sri Madhwacharya constructed the Krishna temple Udupi and the Astha Matha (monastery) in the 13th century.
- Sri Madhwacharya also found the idol of Lord Krishna, which is now installed in the Udupi temple and is visited by thousands of people daily.
- Devotees cannot see the entire idol of Lord Krishna, but they can see him through a silver-plated nine-holed window.
- The idol is placed facing the west direction whereas usually the
- Lord Krishna is worshipped 14 times daily by the purohits and acharya so 14 poojas are performed daily. Certain rituals are performed before sunrise while the rest continue after sunset.
- The temple has three chariots; Brahma Ratha (the largest chariot), Garuda Rathe (a medium-sized chariot), and Chikha Ratha (the smallest chariot).
- The temple offers free meals to its devotees every day at lunchtime time which is also the prasadam of the temple.
- Every two years, Paryaya occurs, during which the present administration duties are transferred to another matha. The Swami of that matha performs the main duties.
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2. Krishna Temple History
The history of the Krishna temple Udupi is an enthralling one that every devotee should know. One day, Lord Krishna’s ardent worshipper, Kanakadasa, went to the temple to pray to Lord Krishna. He was barred from entering the temple premises as he was from a lower caste. While this may have scorned a normal devotee, Kanakadasa saw it as an opportunity to worship Lord Krishna with more faith and determination. He sat and started to pray intensely outside the temple to God. He sat outside the temple facing the idol’s back.
Kanakadasa’s unwavering devotion impressed Lord Krishna, and the idol turned back to face in the direction where his worshipper was praying. This led to a small portion of the wall between God and his devotee Kanakadasa breaking suddenly forming some holes. When this happened, the devotee was taken aback and rendered speechless as he focused on Lord Krishna’s idol, who turned to face him. Even today, devotees worship God through the same location; from the holes. It is called the Kanakanakindi, which translates to Kanaka’s window and is also referred to as Navagraha Kitiki.
3. Krishna Temple Idol’s Story
Image Credit: Paul Mannix for Wikimedia Commons
The Krishna temple story is interesting. One day, Sri Madhwacharya composed a 12-part poem centred around Lord Krishna as he went to the beach. He spotted a ship stuck in the sand and helped free it with his powers. When the captain asked him what he wanted in return, Sri Madhwacharya said the gopichandana clay on the vessel was all he wanted. It suddenly broke when Sri Madhwacharya’s disciples began to carry the clay. Then, it was revealed that Lord Balakrishna’s idol was inside the clay. Sri Madhwacharya then decided to enshrine the idol in Sri Krishna Matha.
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4. Krishna Temple Timings
The Krishna temple Udupi timings are as follows: The temple opens at 4:30 a.m. for the people in the maths, but for devotees, it opens at 5 a.m. onwards. The temple closes at 10 p.m. every day after completing all the pooja rituals. During festivals, the timings may differ, and you can contact the temple authority of Sri Krishna Temple to know the specific timings during those days.
5. Udupi Krishna Temple Dress Code
The Udupi Krishna temple dress code suggests that men and women must care about how they dress before entering the divine temple of Lord Krishna. Women should wear traditional attire such as a saree blouse, salwar kameez with dupatta, ethnic langa (long skirt and blouse), or davani (half-saree). Ideally, Men should wear panche (dhoti) without a vest, t-shirt, or shirt. While the dress code rules are not enforced, they are recommended during special pooja days and festivals.
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6. Krishna Temple Festivals
Many festivals are celebrated at Krishna Temple Udupi with fervour. Some of these festivals are as follows.
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Chinnadha Ratha
- Paryaya Mahotsava
- Ugadi
- Akshaya Tritiya
- Ram Navami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Kurma Jayanthi
- Vasantotsava
- Narasimha Jayanti
How To Reach
Image Credit: Vinayaraj for Wikimedia Commons
The nearest airport to the temple is Mangalore International Airport. It is 59.1 km away from the temple. From there, you can hire a cab directly and reach the temple. The nearest railway station to Krishna Temple is Udupi Railway Station. It is just 3.2 km from the temple and from there, you can hire a cab or auto to reach the temple. You can also travel by road using your vehicle or government or private buses. You can find several buses that will take you directly from Mangalore to Udupi. If you are in the Udupi city centre, you can walk and reach the Krishna Temple.
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Attractions Near Sri Krishna Temple Udupi
You can visit numerous attractions near the Sri Krishna Temple. Some of the most famous sights near the famous temple are as follows.
- ISKCON Sri Krishna Temple
- Kaup Lighthouse
- Kaup Beach
- Malyadi Bird Sanctuary
- Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village Museum
- Malpe Beach
Further Read: Places to Visit in Udupi
The Krishna temple in Udupi is the top place to visit among the seven pilgrimage sites in Udupi. The beautiful temple’s architecture is breathtaking, with detailed carvings and designs adorning it. When you book your trip to Karnataka, add this Lord Krishna Temple to your itinerary. The temple will give you the peace, serenity, and spiritual bliss you seek. It is one of the most unique temples in the country and makes for a great family trip!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Krishna Temple Udupi
What is special about the Lord Krishna temple in Udupi?
Lord Krishna darshan must be done through the nine-holed window and the idol faces the west side rather than the usual east side that is common in other Hindu temples in India.
Can we take mobiles inside the Udupi Krishna Temple?
Yes, you can take your phone inside the temple but it must be switched off.
What is Lord Krishna holding in his hand in the idol kept in Krishna Temple Udupi?
He is holding maakhan or churned butter as the idol symbolizes him in his child avatar Balakrishna.
Is Krishna Temple in Udupi crowded?
You can expect heavy crowds during festivals and weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, go during the weekdays.
Which day is best for worshipping Lord Krishna?
Although you can worship Lord Krishna any day, the best day is Wednesday.
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