Udupi Sri Krishna Temple ಉಡುಪಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಂದಿರ

Udupi Sri Krishna Matha

Tulu/Kannada = ಉಡುಪಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಠ

Udupi is a divine shrine in the coastal region of Western Ghats. Situated about 60 kms from Mangalore, it is a fairly large and upcoming town that was sanctum of Madhvacharya, the great Sanskrit Philosopher. The famous temple here, has a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels. It is the center for education, social and religious activities in the district of South Canara. It is known for the famous Sri Krishna temple. The reasons for its fame are the statue of Sri Krishna installed by the great saint Sri Madhvacharya and the penance and influence of Sri Vaadiraja yathivarenya. Another attraction of this temple is the 'Kanakana Kindi' -a small window through which Krishna is believed to have given darshan to his ardent devotee, Kanakadasa.  

There are three temples in Udupi; Chandreshwara, Anantheshwara and Sri Krishna temple. Chandreshwara and Anatheshwara are the most ancient temples of Udupi.Popular belief is that King RamaBhoja, an ardent follower of Parashurama installed the statue of Anantheshwara. Chandreshwara temple was built in the spot where Chandra (the moon) performed a penance, to get rid of the curse of Daksha Prajapathi. The place where Chandra meditated got to be called as Udupi. (Udu = a star and pa = follower) The usual practice in Udupi is to visit Chandreswara, Anantheshwara temples and then visit Sri Krishna temple. There is many interesting stories behind the installation of statue of Sri Krishna at Udupi

Udupi, the Kokani city is the headquarters of the Udupi District, Karnataka State, India. When one hears the name “Udupi” either “Udupi Krishna” or “Udupi Masala Dosa” comes to the mind. Of course the famous,  Krishna temple is located in this city. It also lends its name to the Kannada Vegetarian Cuisine which is famous across the world.  This cuisine was developed by Shivalli Madhwa Brahmins who cooked food for Lord Krishna, and at Krishna Matha in Udupi, the food is provided free

Shree Krishna Temple Udipi is first among the seven places of pilgrimages. Thousands of pious devotees throng the Udupi Krishna temple all round the year to catch a glimpse of Lord Krishna. The unique feature of Shree Krishna Mutt temple is that the Lord is worshipped only through a window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. The window is exquisitely carved and silver - plated. It has been a tradition in this temple to worship the Lord only through this window. Read on to know more about the temple, the legends, the pujas & rituals and the festivals celebrated.

A famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Krishna located in the town of Udupi in Karnataka, India.

The matha area resembles a living ashram, a holy place for daily devotion and living. Surrounding the Sri Krishna Matha are several temples, the most ancient being made of basic wood and stone of 1,500 years origin.

Air: The nearest airports are Mangalore (60 km) and Bangalore (381 km). Mangalore is air-linked with Bangalore and Mumbai.

Rail: From Mangalore, there are trains to Hassan, Chennai, Tiruchi, Madurai, Cannanore, Thiruvananthapuram and Jammu Tawi.

Road: Buses ply to Mysore (265 km), Bangalore via Hassan (365 km), Kollur (120 km), Sringeri (130 km), Karwar (215 km) Belur (155 km) and several other places.

Sri Madhwacharya: 

Udupi has now become famous because of Sri Madhwacharya, the founder of the Dwaita system of Philosophy and also because of Sri Krishna Mutt. It is well known from authoritative source that Sri Madhwacharya is an incarnation of God Vayu who at the behest Lord Narayana accepted the task of interpreting the Shastras correctly and leading worthy men to their salvation. Sri Madhwacharya was born in the year 1238 A.D. on the Vijaya Dashami day in the month of Ashwayuja in the Vilambi Samvatsara.

Sri Madhwacharya founded the Dwaita system of philosophy and propagated it throughout the country. Sri Madhwacharya gave sanyasa to eight of his disciples and commissioned them not only to carry on the worship of the idol of Shri Krishna but also to propagate the Dwaita Philosophy. The pontiff of each of eight mutts carried on the worship of the idol for a period of two months by rotation.

These Mutts are - 1) Sri Palimar Mutt, 2) Sri Admar Mutt, 3) Sri Krishnapur Mutt, 4) Sri Puttige Mutt, 5) Sri Sirur Mutt, 6) Sri Sode Mutt, 7) Sri Kaniyoor Mutt and 8) Sri Pejavar Mutt.

Around The Car-Street

Among the disciples of Acharya Madhva eight stayed at Udupi to take up the responsibility of worshipping the idol of Lord Krishna as well as the propagation of the tenets of Madhva’s philosophy. In the beginning all these

Eight pontiffs used to stay together in Sri Krishna Mutt. There was no system of change of guard once in two years. They used to share the priestly duties according to their convenience by mutual construction. Then the tradition of each one of them to be in charge of the temple for two months began to be established. This system continued up to the period of Sri Vadiraja who changed it to a two-year term. At the same time eight mutts came to be constructed around the car street.

The Acharya must have initiated them in the same order. The paryaya takes place in the same order. Each cycle starts with Palimar Mutt and ends with Sri Pejawar Mutt.

The Mutts were constructed around the Car Street during the period of Sri Vadiraja. But they are not in the order mentioned above. Let us visit them in the order in which they are located.

History

The Krishna Matha was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhwacharya in the 13th century. He was the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. Legend has it that once Kanakadasa, a worshipper who was so pious and devoted to Lord Krishna, was not allowed entry into the temple. It didn't upset him, but instead made him pray with intense devotion. Lord Krishna was so pleased to allow the disciple to gaze upon his heavenly form through a small window at the back of the mutt (monastery). Till today, devotees still worship Lord Krishna by praying through the same window that Kanakadasa was blessed with a view.

Direct students of Madhvacharya

Direct students of Madhvacharya were many in number.His first disciple was Shri Sathya Theertha.All other Mathas except the Ashta Mathas were established by Sri Padmanabha Thirtha.His disciples do not have the right to perform pooja to Lord Udupi Shri Krishna as it is headed and governed by the Ashta mathas. 1.Sri Vishnu Thirtha- Sode Matha 2.Sri Vamana Thirtha- Shirur Matha 3.Sri Rama Thirtha- Kanniyur Matha 4.Sri Adokshaja Thirtha- Pejavara Matha 5.Sri Hrishikesha Thirtha- Palimaru Matha 6.Sri Narahari Thirtha- Adamaru Matha 7.Sri Janardhana Thirtha- Krishnapura Matha 8.Sri Upendra Thirtha- Puthige Matha

Krishna Matha

The daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (eight temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs temple management activities for two years in a cyclical order. They are collectively known as the Krishna Matha.

The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.

These eight Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura

  

Swamijis of the Ashta Mathas

The swamijis of the Ashta Mathas and their successors are given as below:

Matha - Swamiji - Successor

Pejavara - Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji - Sri Vishvaprasanna Tirtha Swamiji

Palimaru - Sri Vidhyadeesha Tirtha Swamiji -

Adamaru - Sri Vishvapriya Tirtha Swamiji - 

Puttige - Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji - Sri Sujnanendra Tirtha Swamiji

Sodhe - Sri Vishvavallabha Tirtha Swamiji - 

Kaniyooru - Sri Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swamiji - 

Shirur - Sri Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji - 

Krishnapura - Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji - 

 Madhva Saroovara:

Behind the shrine is a tank known as Madhva Saroovara. Sri Raghavendra Tirtha of Sri Puttige Mutt renovated it with stone slabs in the sixteenth century A.D.

The Swamijis have to bathe in this tank before they commence the worship at the shrine. If we go round the tank on the northern side bhoojana sale is visible, where hundreds of poor people are fed every day. Special arrangements are made in the first floor of this building for feeding the students and guests.

In the Northeast corner we can notice a chariot-shaped heaps pf logs of wood. The firewood needed for two years Paryaya term is stored artistically in the shapes of a ratha .Here again the credit goes to Sri Vadiraja Swamiji for starting this tradition. This is an example to show how one can produce a piece of art with the piece of wood. Like the chariots of Udupi, this firewood chariot is also an object of attraction to the pilgrims.

When we go round the tank we come across a small shrine in the South West corner. There is a beautiful idol of Bhagirathi seated on crocodile. The 29th pontiff of Sri Adamar Mutt by name Vibudhapriya Tirtha installed the idol.

There is a legends behind this. It is believed to have happened during the period of Sri Madhvacharya. The Acharya was still a boy. He wanted to undertake a tour of Badari. His preceptor Achuta Prajna did not want to be separated from his disciple. He heard a divine voice starting that the Acharya need come to the North in search of the Ganges. The sacred river itself will come towards the South in search of the Acharya Accordingly the people witnessed a column of white stream springing up in the South West corner of the tank. All people took bath in the sacred waters along with the Acharya. Madhva Vijaya records that once in every twelve years the sacred Ganges flows into this tank.

This continues even now. The white waters of the Ganges sprang up during the Paryaya of Sri Vibudhapriya Swamiji and a small shrine was constructed to commemorate the event. The Swamiji who come to the tank for oblation worship this idol.

There is a beautiful mantapa in the middle of the tank. The ritual of pouring milk on Tulasi ksiiraabdhi takes place here on the twelfth day of the white fortnight of Kartika month.

The beauty of this tank must be witnessed during the teppootsava, the boat festival. With thousand of lamps around the mantapa and their reflection in the water it is a delightful sight providing a fantasy of Lord Varuna waving Aarti to the great god.

The tank was originally know as ananta tirtha. After the Ganges descended into this tank for the sake of Madhvacharya it came to be designated as Madhva Saroovara.

To regulate the movements of the pilgrims during festival seasons there is a separate exit passage to come out of the temple. This overbridge path passes through the Western side of the tank and joins the Car Street. The Swamiji of Admar Mutt built this new passage during his Paryaya (1972-73 A.D.)

Festivals

During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the temple management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the temple during his Paryaya.The paryaya is held on even years like 2008,2010,2012.Festivals like Makara Sankranthi,Ratha Sapthami, Madhva Navami, Hanuma Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Navarathi Mahotsava, Madhva Jajanti(Vijaya Dashami), Naraka Chathurdashi, Deepavali, Geetha Jayanthi etc., are celebrated very grandly by Paryaya Mutt every year.

                                          Paryaya is a system in which the eight pontiffs of Udupi undertake the responsibility of worshipping Lord Krishna and manage the temple by turn for a fixed period of time.

The swamiji who is in change of the worship and other rituals is known as the paryay swamiji. His Mutt is then known as the Paryaya Mutt. The duration of the tenure is known as the paryaya period. The ceremony of handing over the charge of Sri Krishna Mutt to the new swamiji is known as the paryaya festival.

Up to the period of Sri Vadiraja the paryaya was taking place once in two months. Thus each swamiji used to get his term once in sixteen months. Then Sri Vadiraja changed this system. He started the tradition of two-year term for the paryaya.

Sri Vadiraja celebrated his first two-year paryaya in his 52nd year in 1532-33 A.D. But it is believed that he did not start the tradition from his own paryaya. One round of the sixteen-year cycle starts from the paryaya of Sri Palimar Mutt. Hence it can be concluded that the first two-year tenure of paryaya might have started from 1522-23 A.D.with the paryaya of Sri Palimar Mutt.

As per this tradition every Mutt had completed 29 two-year terms of the paryaya. The twenty ninth cycle started in 1970-71 with paryaya of Sri Palimar Mutt. The last paryaya of that cycle was completed by the paryaya of Sri Pejawar Mutt which commenced in 1986-87 A.D. with the paryaya of Sri Palimar Mutt. Then this 30th Cycle will end by 2000-2001 A.D. with the paryaya of Sri Pejawar Mutt.

Preparations for Paryaya:

The preliminaries start a year before the paryaya ceremony. The foremost among those rituals are

1. Baale unhurt

2. kaki unhurt

3. Katie mahout

4. batter mahout

bale unhurt

This takes place on an auspicious day about a year before the paryaya festival. Plantain and tulsi groves are formally set up on that day.

Each paryaya swamiji requires tulsi leaves for daily services at the Krishna Mutt and plantain leaves for feasts. Banana is needed for offerings to the idol. Hence the swamiji has to start cultivating these plants in the gardens belonging to his Mutt so that by the time the paryaya period starts these rituals can commence with all requirements.

On the day of mahout the priests first pray the nine planets. Then the workers of the Mutt carry the seedlings of the tulsi and the plantain to be planted. The procession moves towards the Krishna Mutt. The royal elephant and other paraphernalia of the Mutt participate in this. They offer prayer at the temples Chandreswara and Anantheswara. They also pray before the shrine of Krishna and offer coins and pray like this. ‘Please bless us so that there should be no dearth of tulsi for your worship and plantain leaves for the dinner.’ They also bow down to the idols of Sri Mukhyaprana and Sri Madhvacharya and go back to their Mutt. Then they plant tulsi saplings and banana plants.

This is now celebrated as a ritual rather than a real effort to grow more tulsi or plantain.

Kaki mahout

Within two months of celebrating the bale mahout they celebrate kaki mahout. Thousands of people are fed during the period of paryaya. During special festivals about five to ten thousands are to be fed. Hence one must have a good stock of rice. The group of rice starts from the harvest time of the previous year.

Like the other ritual after the prayer to the nine planets the procession starts from the Mutt. A pack of rice is decorated and kept in a palanquin. It is covered with a silken cloth. The devotees go behind the palanquin with packs of rice on their head. All officers of the Mutt participate in the procession. They pray at the temples of Chandreswara and Anantheswara.

The swamiji himself conducts this ritual. A special feast is served in the moon. Other swamijis are also invited to the Mutt and honoured.

Katie mahout

This is celebrated about six months before the commencement of the paryaya. After collecting rice arrangements are to be made to gather firewood for cooking. Hence this ceremony.

Storing of firewood in an artistic manner is the specialty of Udupi. Firewood is piled up in the shape of a beautiful chariot. This is visible in the North-East corner of the Madhva Sarovara.

This ritual is observed by the artists to commence the building of this beautiful chariot out of the rugged pieces of wood.

After propitiating the nine planets the procession starts with the workers carrying the loads of firewood. After saluting the deities in different temples they reach the place behind the cattle-shed where the chariot of firewood is to be constructed. After the purificatory ritual of the ground the artists commence their work.

Many skilled artists for many days to pile up the firewood and arrange it in the shape of a chariot of fifty feet height. A few days before the Katie mahout of the next paryaya this chariot is dismantled and the firewood is used for cooking.

Batter muhuurta

This ritual takes place about seven or eight weeks before the paryaya. This is arranged to gather paddy from the new crop before the paryaya ceremony. It can be noticed here that al these rituals calculated to acquire leaves for eating. Rice for food, firewood for cooking, paddies for rice have the sole aim namely the continuation of the tradition of mass feeding. That is why Lord Krishna of Udupi is known as anna brahma.

After the prayer the procession starts from the Mutt. A bag of paddy is placed in a palanquin and covered with silken cloth. After saluting the deities in different temples the procession enters the badagu maalige.

The badagu maalige is the official stores house for the paryaya. It is on this day that the authorities of the next paryaya enter this place. The pack of paddy is placed an platform here and the priest offer rituals of worship. The manager of the paryaya Mutt offers fruits and remunerations to scholars. From that day the new paryaya Mutt takes charge of his building.

Another ritual also takes place that day. By that time the chariot of firewood is constructed. A decorated dome is brought along with the procession. It is ceremoniously handed over to the chief architect and then placed on the top of the chariot. By this all preliminary rituals of paryaya are over.

The Pre-Paryaya Tour

About four to five months before the Paryaya ceremony the swamiji goes on a pilgrimage to different holy place. This is known as paryaya puurva sancaara.

After the paryaya the swamiji is not supposed to move out of Udupi. Hence before the ceremony he goes to different places to meet his disciples and invite them for the paryaya festival. He is supposed to visit all centers of pilgrimage from Kanyakumari to Badarikashram and offer services to the deities in those places in order to obtain blessings from the deities for the smooth running of the tenure of paryaya.

On an auspicious day the swamiji offers special prayers to his deities and starts on the pilgrimage. He visits places like Kanyakumari, Rameshwara, Tirupathi, Mathura, Brndavan, Dwarka, Gaya, Kashi, Prayag, Hrshikesh, Haridwar, and Badari etc. After finishing the tour of the Southern as well as the Northern India he returns to his district.

Afterwards he visits the pilgrim centers of the district and finally enters the Udupi town in an auspicious moment.

During this tour to different towns the devotees invite the swamiji and honour him. They also contribute liberally for the expenses of the paryaya.

Pura praveesa

About ten to fifteen days before the paryaya festival the swamiji concludes his tours and ceremoniously enters the town of Udupi. The entire town is decorated to welcome the swmiji.

A big crowd is seen at the joodu katte at the Udupi Mangalore Road on that day to welcome the swamiji. If the swamiji enters the city from Shimoga side the reception is arranged near the Kadiyali temple on the Udupi-Karkal route. As soon as the swamiji reaches the place he is garlanded by the leaders and the dignitaries of the town. Flowers and fried rice are sprinkled on the route.

From the mantap at the joodu katte the swamiji taken to the car street in procession. The replicas of the great saints as well as the idols of the Mutt are placed in the palanquin and taken in the procession. The musicians play on pipe and other instruments. The scholars chant the hymns of Veda. The swamiji is seated in a decorated chariot. The idols are in the palanquin.

The streets are all well decorated up to the car street. Different archs and Mantaps are constructed en route and they are named after the pontiffs of that Mutt.

When the procession reaches the Car Street the swamiji descends from the chariot and walks upto Chandreshwara, Anantheshwara and then reaches the Krishna Mutt and offers prayers.

At the entrance of his Mutt the nine planets are propitiated and the swamiji enters the Mutt. In a public function at the Car Street the citizens honour the swamiji and offer him felicitations. He is profusely garlanded by the people. The swamiji announces his new plans and projects proposed to be undertaken during the tenure of his paryaya and seek the co-operation of the citizens.

Hore kaanike

A couple of days before the paryaya the devotees bring rice, jaggery, pulses, vegetables, coconuts and other objects needed for the mass feeding during the festival of paryaya and donate them to the swamiji. These objects are brought in trucks, carts and head loads in processions. The processions pass through different streets of Udupi and enter the Krishna Mutt. The swamiji accepts these contributions and blesses the devotees.

Olipe

This is a ceremony in which both the swamijis-one who hands over the charge and the other who takes over the charge-donate rice and vegetables to other swamijis of Udupi. All provisions are taken out in procession and sent to different Mutts.

This is arranged because all pilgrims visiting the paryaya festival and staying in different Mutts must be fed and looked after properly. Hence a token contribution is given by the swamiji to different Mutts so that they can offer hospitality to visiting pilgrims. This is arranged as a token of co-operation.

Invitation to Paryaya

A day before the paryaya festival the swamiji goes to different Mutts in procession and personally invites the swamijis for the paryaya rituals.

The heads of other Mutts invite the swamiji to their respective Mutts before the paryaya and arrange a grand feast in honour of the swamiji by offering money as well as other objects like sandal paste etc.

Festival arranged by the outgoing swamiji

The day following that of Makara Sankramana is celebrated as Churnotsava. No festivities are celebrated the following day. The third day is allotted to the out-going swamiji to celebrate his last special services. The fourth day is the day of paryaya.

Normally the festivals fall as per the schedule: 14th January-Sankramana. 15th January-Churnotsava, 16th-Rest, 17th –the festival arranged by the outgoing swamiji. 18th-The paryaya festival.

A special feast is arranged by the outgoing swamiji on the day preceding the paryaya. With the Brahma Rathotsava in the night his responsibilities come to an end. Next day he has to perform the nirmaalya visarjana puujaa only. Afterward it is the duty of the swamiji who takes charge the next day.

The Festival of Paryaya

The swamiji who is to take charge of the Krishna Mutt goes to a place called Danda Tirtha about 10 Kilometers south of Udupi on the previous night. It is the place where Sri Madhvacharya was studying during his childhood. To irrigate the gardens of his teacher he had made canal though his ritual-stick. That pond came to be known as dandatiirtha.

At about 3-00 a.m. after midnight the swamiji gets up and bathes in the holy pond and starts towards Udupi. At about 4-00a.m. he reaches the outskirts of Udupi and a big crowd of devotees welcomes the swamiji at a place known as joodu katte. The other swamijis of Udupi, excepting the one who is to hand over the charge, assemble there. The swamiji who is to hand over the charge stays back at the Krishna Mutt to welcome the new paryaya swamiji there.

The route from the joodu katte to the car street is decorated with festoons and lights. All buildings are illuminated. The arcs and festoons representing different traditions of preceptors provide a grand appearance to the area. Different kinds of drums, trumpets and musical instruments are played. The sound reaches the sky and enlivens the entire area.

As soon as the would –be parayaya swamiji reaches the joodu katte the other pontiffs and the devotees assembled there welcome the swamiji who is now going to have the good fortune of serving Lord Krishna for the next two years.

The swamijis who come to welcome the paryaya swamiji are well dressed with silken shawl and silken headdress. Then all of them sit on their palanquins. The idol of the deity of the would be paryaya Mutt is placed in a palanquin and takes at the head of the procession.

The entire route is well decorated. The trained elephants with howdah on their back and slowly waving fan-like ears go in the front row of the procession. This is followed by different kinds of tableaux and decorated staffs and arcs. Troupes of singers and pipers participate in the procession. The vehicles carrying the idols as well as the singing and dancing in ecstasy, the priests chanting the hymns from the Vedas, the idol of the Mutt in a well decorated golden palanquin and the swamiji in a well decorated palanquin-all these produce the image of a grand pageantry.

Thousands of people come in flocks and gather on both sides of the streets as well as the balconies of the houses en route to witness this historic scene. The procession moves slowly and covers the one-kilometer distance in about two hours.

On reaching the car street the swamijis get down from the palanquin. They walk on the white cloth spread on the road. They circumambulate the car street and reach the Krishna Mutt.

The swamiji salutes the idol of Krishna through the Kanakas’ window. The priests pray the nine planets and offer donations of grains and money to learned Brahmins to appease the planets. From there the swamiji goes to the temple of chandreswara and Anantheswara.

At the entrance of Sri Krishna Mutt the out-going swamiji receives the new swamiji and leads him inside by holding his hands. They first descend to the Madhva Sarovara, wash their hands and feet and enter the sanctum sanctorum.

When the two swamijis enter the sanctum sanctorum, the other swamijis proceed towards the building known as Badagu Malige, sit on their decorated seats and wait for the paryaya swamiji.

Paryaya Ceremony

The swamiji enters the Mutt and places his box of idols in the tiirtha mantapa and waves aarati.

Then both the swamijis enter the sanctum sanctorum and pray before the idol. They also pray before the idol of Mukhya Prana and prostrate before the idols of Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana and Garuda at the Chandrashala hall.

Then the important ritual of handing over the charge takes place in the room known as simhaasana. Only a few officials of the Mutt participate in this ritual transfer of powers.

The new paryaya swamiji places the box of idols in the sacred seat and waves aarati. Then the outgoing paryaya swamiji sits on the seat of Madhvacharya and takes the would be paryaya swamiji by his side and honours him by offering the sandal paste and other objects of honour.

The next item in the programme is to ascend the throne. The outgoing swamiji gets up from the seat of Madhvacharya, holds the hands of the new incumbent and makes him sit on the seat. He then himself sits down by his side. Soon after the ascent the swamiji is officially known as the paryaya swamiji. The swamijis of the eight Mutts get very few such occasions of occupying this sacred seat sanctified by the association of the great Acharya himself. From the moment the swamiji occupies this seat, he directs all activities and rituals as the representative of Sri Madhvacharya.

Transfer of the aksaya paatra

After exchanging the seats the two swamijis enquire about each other’s welfare and go towards the idol of Sri Madhvacharya at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. They offer afghan water to the Archery. The outgoing swamiji hands over the aksaya paatra the age-old vessels preserved from the time of Madhvacharya, its ladle as well as the keys to the shrine. With this ritual the management of Sri Krishna Mutt is officially this ritual the management of Sri Krishna Mutt is officially transferred to the new paryaya swamiji.

In the badagu maalige

From there the swamiji proceed towards the badagu maalige building. There the new swamiji honours others swamijis by offering sandal paste and other objects of honour. During the time of Sri Vadiraja the paryaya congregation used to take place in this place.

Congregation at the Arranging open theatre

The last programme of the ceremony is a big congregation known as durbar subhead at the Rajangana. All the swamijis come in procession at about 7-00a.m. to this auditorium. The entire area is already crowed with the people who assembled there with their invitation cards. The place can accommodate about twenty thousand people.

After the chanting of the hymns from the Vedas the swamijis bless the devotees. The outgoing swamiji bids farewell to all and the new paryaya swamiji announces his plans projects for the improvements of facilities at the Krishna Mutt. Leaders and luminaries from different cross-sections of the society felicitate the new paryaya swamiji on this occasion.

Various Daily Pujas performed in the

Sacred presence of Sri Krishna

1. Nirmalya visarjana Puja 5-30 a.m.

2. Ushakala Puja 6-00 a.m.

3. Akshya patra-Gopuja 6-15 a.m.

4. Vishwaroopa Darshana 6-20 a.m.

5. Panchamritabhisheka 6-30 a.m.

6. Udvartana Puja 7-00 a.m.

7. Kalasha Puja 7-30 a.m.

8. Teertha Puja 7-40 a.m.

9. Alankara Puja 8-30 a.m.s

10. Avasara Sanakadi Puja 10-30 a.m.

11. Mahapuja 11-00 a.m.

12. chamara Seva 7-00 p.m.

13. Ratripuja 7-30 p.m.

14. Rangapuja 7-40 p.m.

15. Utsava 8-00 p.m.

16. Thottilu Puja 8-30 p.m.

17. Kolalu Seva 8-40 p.m.

18. Ekanta Seva 8-50 p.m.

[All above pujas are personally performed by the Pontiffs of the Eight

Mathas]

The main Utsavas performed to Sri Krishna

1. Saptotsava:

This commence 5 days prior to 2. Vasantotsava:

This festival commences in chaitra Shudha Pratipade and draws to a conclusion on Vasantha Dwadashi.

3. Krishna Leelotsava:

This is celebrated on the next day after simha Masa, Krishnashtami. Sri Krishna’s idol will be placed in gold chariot and taken round.

4. Laksha deepotsava:

Two chariots will be drawn daily from Kartika Shudha Dwadashi till the Fullmoon day.

Main Sevas offered in the holy presence of Lord Sri Krishna

1. Paryaya Mangala

2. Paryaya Prarambhotsava

3. Akhanda Saptotsava

4. Santarathotsava

5. Laksha Deepotsava

6. Sri Krishna Jayantyutsava

7. Swarna Rathotsava

8. Brahma Rathotsava

9. Vajra Kireeta Alankarotsava

10. Vasanthotsava

11. Rajatha Rathotsava

12. Golden Mantapa Festival

13. Garuda Rathotsava

14. Golden Palanquin Festival

15. Mahapuja Rathotsava

16. Sarva Seva

17. Annadaana

18. Ksheeraabhisheka

19. Nandadeepa of Ghee

20. Nandadeepa of Oil

21. Godaana

22. Sahasranaamarchana

23. Ashottaarchana

24. Milk and butter offering

25. Karpoora Mangalarathi

26. Hastodaka to Sri Madhwa

27. Pavamana Paarayana

28. Vaayustuti Paarayana

The Important Temples Around Udupi

1. Shri Durga Temple at Indrali.

2. shri Mahisha Mardini Temple at Bailur circa 12th –13th C.A.D.

3. shri Durga Temple at Kannarpadi circa 11th C.A.D.

4. Shri Durga Temple at Puttur circa 12th –13th C.A.D.

5. Shri Janardana & Mahakali Temples at Ambalpadi Circa 10th C.A.D.

6. Shri Mahishamardini Temple at Kadiyali Circa 7th –8th C.A.D.

7. Shri Mahisha Mardini Temple at Kunjar Near Pajaka Kshetra.

8. Panatha Padmanabha Temple, Near M.G.M. College, Paniyadi.

9. Shri Venkataramana Temple at Udupi.

10. Shri Shankaranarayana Temple at Udupi.

11. Shri Venugopala Temple at Manipal.

12. Shri Vadabhadeshwar Temple at Malpe.

13. Shri Sharada Temple at Udupi.

Important Educational Institutions at Udupi

1. The Sanskrit College, Udupi.

2. The Poornaprajna College, Udupi.

3. The Poornaprajna Evening College, Udupi.

4. The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial college, Udupi.

5. Vaikunta Baliga College of Law, Udupi.

6. The Udupi Ayurvedic College, Kutpadi.

7. Dr.T.M.A. Pai College of Education, Udupi.

8. The Government Training college, Udupi

9. TheAcademy School of Music, Udupi

10. The Academy of General Education, Manipal

11. The Kasturba Medical College, Manipal

12. The Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal

13. The College of Dental Sciences, Manipal.

14. The College of Pharmacy, Manipal.

15. T.A. Pai Institute of Management Studies, Manipal

16. The admar Mutt Education Council, Udupi.

17. Government College, Udupi.

18. College of Commerce and Business Management, Udupi.

19. MAHE-Manipal Academy of Higher Education.

20. Micro-Institute of Business Management, Udupi.

Important Cultural Centres of Udupi

1. Yakshagana Kendra,M.G.M., Udupi.

2. Govinda Pai Samshodhana Kendra, Udupi.

3. Rangabhoomi, Udupi.

4. Regional Resources Centre for, Folk Performing Arts, Udupi.

5. Haste Shiplap, Manipal.

6. Signet Samba, Udupi.

7. Yakshagana Kaoliang, Manipal.

8. Rehabbed Goliard, Udupi.

9. Kale Veranda, Udupi.

Lodging Facilities at Udupi

Hotel Karavali - Contact for booking 022-22007973/74/75/76/43407900

HotelSri Ram Residency - Contact for booking 022-22007973/74/75/76/43407900.

Independent Cottage -Gayathri Atiithi-Contact for booking 022-22007973/74/75/76/43407900.

Medical Facilities at Udupi

1. The Krishna Free Clinic Car Street, Udupi.

2. The K.M.C. Hospital, Manipal.

3. The Govarnment Hospital, Ajjarkad, Udupi.

4. The Government Hospital of Women & Children, Udupi

5. The Basel Mission Hospital, Udupi.

6. The Ayurveda College Hospital, Kutpadi, Udupi.

7. The T.M.A. Pai Medical Complex, Udupi.

8. The Chandrashekhar Nursing Home, Kinnimulki, Udupi.

9. Mitra Nursing Home, Udupi.

10. J.M.J.Diagnova, Udupi.

The Places Worth Visiting around Udupi

1. Geeta Mandir (Founder-Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji of Puttige Mutt).

2. St. mart Island: An island near the Malpe coast. The natural rugged granite stones of this island famous as the Belur Halebid temples. One can reach the island through boats from Malpe. There are no restaurants in the island.

3. Hoode Begre: This is near Kemmannu to the north of the Malpe. This is known for its coconut groves in between the river and the sea. One can reach the place by city buses or cars.

4. Barkur: An ancient city of the Tulunad, near Brahmavar about ten miles to the north of Udupi. Many temples, inscriptions and other objects of historical value are found in the place and there is an ancient fort. A visit to this place is a rewarding experience for historians and art lovers:

5. The Medical Museum at the K.M.C.Hospital, Manipal.

6. Rastrakavi Govinda Pai Memorial Museum at the Rastrakavi Govindapai Research Institute, M.G.M. college, (Granite, wooden and metallic icons)

7. The Light House at the sea-shore, Kaup, about 9 miles south of Udupi. It can be reached by buses from the Bus stand.

8. The hill temples at Indrali, Kunjaru and other place around Udupi.

Places of interest in the Vicinity of Udupi

Distance in K.M.

1. Indrali Durgalaya 5

2. Bailur Durgalaya 3

3. Kannarapadi Durgalaya 4

4. Puttar Durgalaya 6

5. Kadiyali Durgalaya 2

6. Ambalapady Temple 3

7. Muchilkodu Naaga Temple 3

8. Bannanje Temple 1

9. Maangodu Naaga Temple 6

10. Arithodu Naaga Temple 7

11. Venugopala Temple, Manipal 6

12. Paniyadi Temple 3

13. Vodabhandeshwar, Malpe 7

Other Sightseeing

The main attraction is the Krishna Temple, Pajaka, Ananteshwar  Temple, Chandramauleshwara temple. The actual feel of Udupi comes to visiting the famous Manipal, Kaup Beach, Malpe and  Brahmavar.

Sri Ananthesvara Temple - In the middle of the temple square, one can find the Anantheswara Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple has very intricate carving in wood and stone, the Altar is the master piece of art.

Chandramauleshvara Temple - In the temple square near the market area is the Chandramouleshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva boasts of towering roof like a pyramid.

Madhava Sarovar - This is the holy tank or Kalyani where devotees take a dip before offering prayers to God.

Pajaka is the birth place of Saint Madhvacharya. This is the ancestral home of the Saint. Some memorabilia of the seer can be found here, like the huge banyan tree and the two stones he lifted and the pond from where he used to fetch water.

Manipal is very famous educational centre and the medical college. There is a small muesium showcasing artifacts collected by Mr. Vijaanath Shenoy.

Kaup Beach, the beautiful beach with a coast line of 12 kms  is located in Southern Udupi. There is the 100 feet light house, a must see.

Malpe Beach is a port town, 6kms from Udupi is famous for its scenic beauty. This place attracts many tourists owing to the estuary of the Malpe river and St Marys Island. One can find magnificent rock formation. These rocks made of basalt are naturally formed.

Brahmavar named as the "settlement of Brahmins" is a town about 13 kms from the North of Udupi.  This place is famous for the Mahalinga temple, Gopinatha temple , Janardhana shrine in the Agrahara. There is the oldest Holy Family Church which was established in the Aptil 01, 1934, and the Saint Mary's Syrian Church are located in Brahmavara.

Udupi Facts

Bhuta Kola, Aati kalenja, Karangolu, and Nagaradhane are some of the cultural traditions of Udupi. Folk arts like Yakshagana are also popular. Rathabeedhi Geleyaru, a local non-profit organisation, was founded to encourage creative pursuits, especially those that keep alive the traditions of the region.

Tulu is the most widely spoken languages in Udupi. Other significant languages include Kannada, Konkani, Nawayath, Kundagannada (a dialect of Kannada spoken in Kundapur), and Beary bashe spoken by Bearys. Udupi was carved out as a independent district from the Dakshina Kannada district on 25 August 1997. Udupi, Kundapura and Karkala were bifurcated from the Dakshina Kannada District and the Udupi District was formed.

Over the years Udupi has transformed by various upcoming industries like the small-scale industries fish farming, cashews, banking and education.

Udupi Krishna Temple gets Navarathna Ratha for Lord Krishna. This magnificent chariot is designed traditionaly with more tahn 1 lakh gem stones. It is intricately carved with gold and moulded. The cost of making this ratha was 7 crores.

They have used all the 9 varieties of gemstones however, white and red stones are in a majority. Though many temples have silver and golden chariots,this is the first temple to have a Navarathna Ratha.

E-Seva for Udupi Krishna

Devotees can now make online offerings to the Lord. Paryaya seer Shri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt launched E- Seva facility through Corporation Bank. Devotees who hold debit or credit cards of any bank can also make offerings to the Lord.

This facility is also available on http://udupisrikrishnamutt.org/shop/demo.php

The Prasadam will be delivered by Post/Courier the devotees need to fill the details such as name, address, type of seva, day of seva. They must also note the receipt number. The prasadam will be delivered to the devotee on the address mentioned.

Sri Krishna Math

Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya Moola Mahasamstana

UDUPI - 576101

Karnataka - INDIA

Ph: 91-8252-20598, 23402