Udupi Temples

Sri Krishna Math (Mutt)
Srila Madhvacarya founded the Sri Krishna Math. The temple has an energy-charged atmosphere, and is one of the most important Krishna temples in India. There is a lamp beside the Deity of Sri Krishna said to have been lit by Madhvacarya and has never gone out since.

The Krishna Deity in the temple is called Bala Krishna.

In order to display different pastimes for his devotees, Udupi Krishna has over 50 different dresses such as Cowherd Boy, Mohini Murti, Lakshmi and Durga. He wears a diamond crown worth over one crore rupees ($300,000). Sometimes Krishna is dressed with a diamond dress.

Visitors view the Deity through a window called the "Navagraha". There are stands at which visitors can purchase maha-prasada and pictures of the Deities.

The temple is small, with black granite walls, sculptures and silver carvings. Lord Krishna was originally installed facing east, but he turned west to see his devotee, Kanaka das, who wasn't allowed to enter the temple. One can have darshan from outside the temple from the same spot where Kanaka stood, through the crack/window on the western wall.

There are deities of Garuda and Hanuman on each side of the temple's interior. They were brought from Ayodhya and installed by Vadiraja Tirtha.
Prasada is served twice daily. Visitors who wish to take the temple's prasada must make arrangements with the priest. There is worship (puja) in the temple from 5.30 am to 8.45 pm. This temple is open to non-Hindus.

Story of the Deity
Lord Krishna himself made the Udupi Krishna Deity from a shalagram-shila, with the help of Visvakarma. It is said that the Deity was worshiped by Rukmini in Dwarka. He is Lord Krishna in child form. The Deity was worshiped by and event-ually given to Arjuna, who hid the Deity. After a lapse of time, the Deity was covered in gopi-candana (clay).

A sailor loaded the lump of candana in his boat as ballast. Upon reaching Vadabhandeswara (5km west of Udupi on the coast), the ship got into trouble and was almost totally lost. Sri

Madhvacarya signaled the ship to shore by waving his cloth. The ship captain came to Madhvacarya and requested him to take anything as a gift, as he was sure that by the grace of this holy man his ship was saved. Madhvacarya requested the gopi-candana.

Upon breaking the clay, Madhvacarya discovered the beautiful Krishna Deity. Madhvacarya carried the Deity to Udupi and commenced worship, and the puja has been continued by his disciplic line ever since.

Cart Procession
The small processional Deities are taken out nearly every night on a parade around Car Street. The procession has two decorated elephants and a musical band, and they stop at intervals along the route for the Lord to be entertained by fireworks or worshiped with offerings by his devotees. The parade starts around 8 pm and is usually over by 8.45 pm.

The cart normally used is about 15m (50 ft) tall. The cart festival travels around the small square in front of the temple (Car Street). According to the significance of the festival being observed, up to three carts may be used. A fourth cart, covered in silver, is used for special festivals.

Madhva Sarovar
The holy bathing tank called Madhva Sarovar is said to be fed by the Ganges every twelve years. It is located just to the right of the main temple entrance. Madhvacarya is said to have washed the Deity in this tank before installing it. Water from the tank is used for the daily worship.

Candramauleswara Temple
The ancient Candramauleswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva. Lord Siva has this name because he carries a crescent moon (candra) on his head. It is located directly across the street from the Krishna Temple.