Sri Krishna Temple

Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi (celebrated globally across Vaishnavism and Vedic Hinduism as one of India's supreme, spiritually radiant, and holiest pilgrimage centers, consecrated in the 13th century by Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya who founded the Dvaita school of Vedanta and established the historic Ashta Mathas), located at the sacred Car Street epicenter of Udupi in Karnataka, stands as the eternal spiritual heart of Coastal Karnataka.

According to sacred history, Shri Madhvacharya miraculously rescued a ship stranded in a storm off Malpe coast and retrieved a sacred Gopichandana rock containing the ancient Kadagolu Krishna (Bala Krishna holding a butter churning rod) idol sculpted by Vishwakarma in Dvaraka, which he consecrated here before instituting the biennial Paryaya rotation system among eight monastic orders (Ashta Mathas).

It's the home of the unique Navagrahakindi (nine holed silver plated window) and the sacred Kanakana Kindi through which the deity miraculously turned westward to grant darshan to the outcast saint Kanakadasa, the glowing gold plated Garbhagriha where Lord Krishna is adorned in daily Alankaras (such as butter Krishna, sandalwood Krishna, or diamond armor), the sacred Madhwa Sarovara holy pond where pontiffs take ritual baths before conducting ancient 14 step daily aartis, the historic golden and silver temple chariots (Rathas) pulled during Car Street evening Brahmotsavas, the legendary Anna Brahma dining halls serving free, delicious satvik banana leaf meals (including Udupi sambar and payasa) to over 30,000 pilgrims daily, and an intensely uplifting, divine atmosphere where continuous Vedic chants, flute music, and temple bells transport the soul into pure devotional bliss.

It represents a rich 800 year-old Dvaita Vedic heritage, Tulu Nadu culinary mastery, and saintly Bhakti traditions where Bala Krishna darshans, Kanakana Kindi windows, Paryaya mathas, and legendary Annadanam unite in Sri Krishna Temple Udupi.

Located on Car Street in central Udupi, it sits just 3 km from Udupi Railway Station (UD on Konkan Railway), 1 km from Central Bus Stand, 55 km from Mangaluru International Airport (IXE), and 400 km from Bengaluru, easily accessible on foot, by auto rickshaw, city bus, or taxi with pilgrim parking near Car Street.

13th Century Madhvacharya Consecration & Kadagolu Krishna

The idol of Kadagolu Krishna depicts the child form of Lord Krishna holding a churning rod in his right hand and a rope in his left, exactly as worshipped by his build mother Yashoda in Dvaraka.

Instead of a direct frontal view, all devotees receive darshan solely through the sacred nine holed silver window (Navagrahakindi), a unique ritual tradition found nowhere else in the world.

Truth is, viewing the child Krishna decorated with jewels and fresh tulsi leaves through the silver window brings tears of joy to devotees.

Kanakana Kindi & Biennial Paryaya System

Kanakana Kindi: When saint Kanakadasa was denied entry due to his caste in the 16th century, Lord Krishna turned 180 degrees westward and cracked the stone wall to grant him divine darshan.

Paryaya Festival: Management of the temple rotates every two years among the eight Udupi Mathas (Palimaru, Admaru, Krishnapura, Puttige, Shirur, Sode, Kaniyoor, and Pejawara) in a grand festival.

Anna Brahma Annadanam & Udupi Pilgrimage Circuit

Anna Brahma Tradition: Udupi is revered as Anna Brahma Kshetra; free satvik lunch and dinner are served daily to tens of thousands of devotees without distinction of caste or creed.

Udupi Regional Circuit: A visit to Sri Krishna Matha pairs smoothly with Malpe Beach (6 km), Manipal university town (5 km), Pajaka Kshetra (12 km), and Kaup Beach Lighthouse (13 km).

After receiving divine darshan of Kadagolu Krishna at Sri Krishna Temple, explore Pajaka Kshetra, relax on Malpe Beach, or visit the historic Kaup Beach Lighthouse.