UDIPI SRI KRISHNA

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; Chandreswara, Anantheswara and Sri Krishna Temple. Chandreswara and Anantheswara 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.

It is believed that the idol of the Lord Krishna got covered with sandalwood in the city of Dwaraka. This Idol was carried by a mariner who took it for sandalwood lump. The ship was caught in the storm on the western coast of Malpe, while on journey. When the meditating Sri Madhvacharya sensed this by his 'aparoksha' or divine jnana (knowledge). He got the ship safely to the shore by waving the end of his saffron robe and quietening the storm. The pleased captain of the ship offered Sri Madhvacharya anything in the ship in return. Sri Madhvacharya asked for the sandlewood peice containing the statue of Sri Krishna. Later as the story goes, Sri Madhvacharya took it to the lake, purified it and installed it in the matt. There are sources telling Sri Madhvacharya installed the statue in the later part of 13^th century.

The famous legend about Kanakadasa says that Kanakadas, a staunch follower of the Lord Krishna visited the temple in the late 16^th century, but was not allowed to enter the temple as he belonged to a lower caste. When Kanakadasa prayed to the Lord, he was pleased with the devotion of Kanakadas and created a hole in the back wall of the temple and turned the idol so that he could see the idol. The same hole is now popularly known as the Kanakanakindi. The sight of the beautiful MudduKrishna is available to everybody through the Kanakanakindi.

Devotees perform ceremonies in a large scale daily. The offerings start in the early morning at 5 o’ clock and continue throughout the day without any exceptions. Different festivals like Madhvanavami, Ramanavami, Nrisimha jayanthi, Bhagirathi janmadina, Krishna Leelothsava, Ganesha Chathurthi, Anantha Chathurdashi, Subrahmanya shashti, navarathri dasara, Holi, Vasantha Puja, Jagarana seva, Thulasi Pooja, Laksha deepothsava, Dhanu Pooja are celebrated in the temple. Special ceremonies and religious discourses take place on these festivals.

Prior to Makara Sankramana ceremonies are conducted with grandeur and pomp for seven days, called as Sapthothsava. On the eighth day lakhs of people watch the magnificent Churnothsava. Once in two years, on the 18th of January, ceremonies are held in grandeur and pomp during the transfer of the Sri Krishna pooja diksha called as Paryayothsava.

The period of Chaturmasa starts from the bright half of Ekadasi of Ashada to the same day in Kartika Masa. During this period, a special Abhisheka to the Lord Krishna is performed everyday. On Ekadashi nights, Jagaranasevas are offered to the Lord with programmes of instrumental music, dances and sankeertanas.

In the month of August or September, Sri Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated with special poojas and argyas to Sri Krishna. Lord is taken on a Golden Chariot around the Car street on the occasion. On Anantha Chaturdashi, special poojas are offered to Krishna. During Navaratri in October, the idol of Sri Krishna is decorated in the feminine form of Mahalakshmi.

During Deepavali or Balindra Pooja in the month of Karthika, Tulasi plant is offered night pooja apart from lighting one lakh wick lamps, from the first day in the month of Kartika, till Dwadhashi. Chariot Utsav is held on Subramanya shashti. During the month of Dhanu, every day special poojas are offered to the Lord early in the morning along with offering Pongal and many other sweets.

In Guru Samaradhana, the Paryaya Swamis celebrate the Aradhana of their immediated Gurus on a grand scale. The Paryaya festival is another biggest festival in Udipi. During this festival, new Paryaya Swami is given the entire responsibility of conducting the customary poojas and festivals to the Lord for two years. This ceremony of handing over and taking over the charge of Sri Krishna Mutt is known as Paryaya.

How to reach Udupi Shri Krishna Temple:
There are many buses ply between Mangalore-Udupi-Kundapur/Manipal etc. From Mangalore to Udupi will take one-hour journey. Temple situated at the heart of Udupi town and walk able distance from bus stand.

Postal corresponding Address of the temple:
Sri Krishna Math
Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya Moola Mahasamstana
UDUPI - 576101
Karnataka - INDIA
Ph: 91-8252-20598, 23402

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