Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Udupi - Timings, Festivals, History, Darshan, Pooja Timings

About Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

At a distance of 3 km from Udupi Railway Station, Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple situated in Udupi, Karnataka. It is one of the famous pilgrimage centers in India, and among the must include places in Udupi tour packages.

Among the most famous places to visit in Udupi, the Krishna Temple or the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is one of the most auspicious temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The unique feature of this temple is that the Lord is worshipped only through a window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kindi. The daily sevas and administration of the Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas. During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the temple management is handed over to the next Matha.

History & Mythology of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

The Krishna Temple was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya in the 13th century CE. This temple has a fascinating idol of Lord Krishna that is richly adorned with jewels & a famous golden chariot. According to legend, the famous architect, Vishwakarma made an idol of Lord Krishna, which was later discovered by Madhvacharya. One day while the saint was performing his daily morning prayer on the shore of Malpe Beach, he was made aware that a ship sailing in the sea was in danger due to bad weather. Shree Madhwacharya, with his divine powers, saved the ship from sinking and recovered the idol of Krishna covered in a ball of gopichandana. The deity is placed facing towards the west (Paschimabhimukha) which is different from the usual placing of God's idols, i.e. facing towards the east.
 
Devotees always have darshan of Lord Krishna through the inner window, known as the Navagraha Kindi & the outer window known as the Kanakana Kindi or the Window of Kanakadasa. Legend has it that in the 16th century there lived an ardent devotee of the Lord who was denied his darshan. As a sign of protest, he started praying with intense devotion at the back of the temple. Overwhelmed by his devotion, Lord Krishna created a hole in the wall and made his idol facing east turn towards the west so that Kanaka could worship the Lord. One can also visit Chandamouleeswara and Anantheshwara Temples adjacent to Sri Krishna Temple that are about 2000 years old.

Architecture of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

The architecture of the Krishna temple in Udupi represents a harmonious fusion of Dravidian, Hoysala, and Vijayanagara architectural styles. The temple is known for its intricate carvings, towering gopurams, and spacious courtyards. The main entrance, known as the Rajagopuram, is adorned with intricate carvings depicting various episodes from Hindu mythology. A notable aspect of the temple is the Chandrasala Hall, which houses the Navagraha Kindi, a window through which the idol of Lord Krishna, embellished with jewels, can be viewed by devotees, allowing them to experience the divine presence of the deity.

Within the temple complex lies the Madhwa Sarovar, a sacred pond or pushkarni, where devotees traditionally bathe before entering the temple. In proximity to the Shri Krishna temple, visitors can also discover the Chandamouleeswara and Anantheshwara temples. The Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is an integral part of the temple complex that serves as a hub for spiritual and philosophical education, drawing scholars and devotees from around the globe. The Matha adheres to the teachings of Madhvacharya and advocates the philosophy of Dvaita Vedanta.

Festivals of Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

Just like other Krishna Temple, Udupi Krishna Temple too has its share of rituals. The only difference is that they are centered around the life of a child Krishna. It begins with waking him up, giving him a bath, playing with him, offering him curds, singing to him and putting him to sleep. He is even taken for a ride in a palaquin around the temple in the evening. On special festivals and occassions, the palanquin is replaced by a chariot.

Saptotsava or the Seven Utsavas celebrated in January is considered the annual festival of Sri Krishna Temple. Krishnashtami, Raamanavami, Hanumajjayanthi, & Deepavali are other important festivals here.

Dress Code & Other Restrictions

Upon entering the Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi, men are required to remove their upper garments. The lower attire should preferably consist of a dhoti or trousers. Women are expected to don either a salwar kameez with a dupatta, a saree, or any other form of traditional Indian attire such as lehengas to gain entry into the temple.

The Udupi Sri Krishna Temple is known for its strict adherence to Hindu traditions, limiting access to Hindu devotees only.

Udupi Sri Krishna Temple Timings

Monday: 4 AM to 9 PM
Tuesday: 4 AM to 9 PM
Wednesday: 4 AM to 9 PM
Thursday: 4 AM to 9 PM
Friday: 4 AM to 9 PM
Saturday: 4 AM to 9 PM
Sunday: 4 AM to 9 PM

Udupi Sri Krishna Temple Entry Fee

General Entry is Free
There is no provision for special darshan at this temple. There is a single queue for everyone.

Best Time to Visit Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

The best time to visit Udupi Sri Krishna Temple is from October to March while the peak season is from November to February. March - May the temperature keeps soaring high, and these days are really uncomfortable to venture out. However, you can also attempt to visit in the monsoon months of June to August, just check the weather prediction.

How to Reach Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

Mangalore Airport is the nearest airport, which is 62 km from Udupi. Udupi Railway Station is well connected by trains to cities like Trivandrum, Bangalore, Mangalore, Kochi, Bikaner, Madgoan, Mumbai, Tirunelveli, New Delhi and Goa. From here one can take an auto or a cab to reach the Krishna Temple. Buses regularly fly from Udupi to major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Goa, Shimoga, Mysore, Karwar, Pune, and Mumbai.