Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

The Udupi Krishna temple is the foremost centre of Dvaita (dualist) Vaishnavism and one of the most important Krishna shrines in South India. The Kanakana Kindi tradition powerfully affirms that sincere devotion transcends all barriers of birth and status. The Ashta Mathas and the Paryaya festival preserve a living philosophical and devotional heritage. Krishna Janmashtami here is a spectacular celebration.

The Udupi Krishna temple enshrines a beautiful idol of the boy Krishna holding a churning rod, installed by the saint-philosopher Madhvacharya, founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. Uniquely, the principal darshan is through a nine-holed silver window called the Kanakana Kindi, named after the devotee Kanakadasa: denied entry because of his low birth, his intense devotion is said to have caused the temple wall to crack open so Krishna could face him directly. The temple is administered in turn by eight monasteries (mathas) founded by Madhvacharya, with the grand biennial Paryaya festival marking the handover. Udupi is also the birthplace of the beloved South Indian 'Udupi' cuisine, rooted in its temple kitchens.