SREE KRISHNA TEMPLE, UDUPI 

On 02 04 22, we were fortunate to be at Udupi Krishna Temple, as the Ratha was pulled through the four small streets around the temple late evening.   We were at Udupi in the evening just before 6 PM and it was arthi time at Chandramouleeswarar temple.   First we had darshan at Anantheswara temple, then at Chandramouleeswara and then at Krishna's.  As the evening pooja had started at Krishna temple and the Urchava murthy was to be placed in the Ratha, there was a lull in the movement of the Queue for about 30 min and still we had darshan at 7 PM.  The ratha yathra started then and our family members had the wonderful experience of drawing the ratha for a few minutes.

Lord Vishnu, in his sixth incarnation as Parashurama, after assaults on Kings who had deviated from the path of Dharma, performed a great yajna. Having donated all the land he won, he was left with no land for Himself. Reluctant to stay in the land already gifted, he reclaimed a strip of land from the Arabian Sea. This coastal strip of land, from Gokarna to Kanyakumari is known as Parashurama Kshetra.

Ramabhoja, a great devotee of Lord Parashurama was proclaimed the King of Parashurama Kshetra.  lntending to perform a maha yajna, he got the site for the sacrificial fire ploughed up. A serpent got into the plough and got killed. Although the serpent was a demon in disguise, the king was worried, as it was a sin to kill a serpent. To atone this sin, he was directed by Lord Parasurama to build a big silver pedestal with the image of a serpent at each of its four corners and to worship Him who would be seated in spirit on the pedestal and also to distribute gold equal to his own weight (Tulabhara) to deserving persons.   Rambhoja did likewise and performed the Ashwamedha Yajna successfully. At its conclusion, Lord Parasurama appeared and declared that he was pleased with the Yajna and that henceforth the sacrificial land 'Rajatha Peetha' (silver pedestal) would become a famous centre of pilgrimage. This land is also known as 'Thoulava' land because Rambhoja performed 'Tulabhara'.

ANANTHESWARA

This temple is adjacent to the Sree Krishna Temple at Udupi.  It was built during the reign of the Alupas in the 8th century C.E. and is considered among the oldest in the Tulu Nadu region. In an inscription dated 1357 C.E. the temples deity is referred to as Mahadeva of Udupi. The temple is known for its association with Hindu philosopher Madhvacharya who taught his disciples within its complex.  In the temple complex, a small room can be seen through a window, from where Sree Madhwacharya disappeared while doing his discourse on Aitareya Upanishad, when he was 78 years old.  Sree Achutya Prajna who was an ascetic and who initiated Sree Madhwacharya in to ascetic order was also an ardent devotee of this deity.
Parents of Sree Madhwacharya had prayed here for progeny.

In the Rajatha Peeda, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Linga and occupied the silver pedestal . It was on the request of Lord Shiva that Lord Parashurama also enshrined within the Linga – the form of Lord Anantha  also and hence the name Anantheshwara was given to this unique Linga.   The king Ramabhoja also built four Durgalayas(Durga temple) and Nagalayas (Subramanya temple) one each in each direction.

It is also said that Parasuram, an avatar of Vishnu merged with this Linga. However, the idol taken in processions during the festivals is that of Lord Ananthapadmanabha.  The temple sanctuary that bears the shape of the back of the elephant (Gajaprashta).   It is customary to pray at this temple before proceeding to have darshan at Sree Krishna Temple.

CHANDRESHWARA

To the east of the Ananteshvara temple and opposite to Sree Krishna temple stands a smaller temple wherein presides Shiva, known as Chandramouleeshwara.

We read in the Madhva Vijaya that the temple was originally known as muuDu devaalaya (mahendra digaalaya). Since it was on the Eastern side of the chief temple Ananteshvara, it came to be referred to as the Eastern temple, moodu meaning east.

Chandreshwara temple was built in the spot where Chandra (the moon) performed a

penance, to get rid of the curse of Daksha Prajapathi.

KRISHNA

Sree Krishna Temple, Udupi has its importance being the Vigraha installed by Sree Madhwacharya himself. As the legend has it that Sree Madhwacharya helped in safe arrival of the ship to the port from a storm and the captain of the ship who had come from Dwaraka wanted to give sree Madhavacharya whatever he asked for. But the saint asked only the log used for ballast and which turned out to be vigrahas covered with sandalwood paste. Later Sri Madhvacharya took it to the lake, purified it and installed it in the mutt. Sree Krishna vigraha was installed in udupi and Sree Balarama at temple near Malpe Beach.

The pond where the statue was bathed came to be known as the famous Madhva Sarovar and the sanctum where the statue was installed became famous as the Krishna temple. There are sources telling Sri Madhvacharya installed the Vighragha in the later part of 13th century.

The unique feature of Shree Krishna temple Udupi  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 traditionin this temple to worship the Lord only through this window.

In the 16th century, Kanakadasa, an ardent believer of God, came to Udupi to worship Lord Krishna. He was not allowed inside the temple since he was from a lower caste. Sri Krishna, pleased by the worship of Kanakadasa created a small hole in the back wall of the temple and turned to face the hole so that Kanakadasa could see him. This hole came to be known as Kanakana Kindi.

We went in the evening and the Swamigal entered the temple to bring the Urchava Murthy to be placed in the Ther (Temple car-Ratha) and thus we got stuck up in the Queue for 30 Min, but were fortunate to see the Urchava Murthy taken to the Ratha and also some of the family members could draw the rope of the ratha for some distance. Male devotees should not wear shirts and vests. Female devotees to dress traditional ethnic wear.

Lunch is usually served at noon from 11.30 am to 2:30 pm while the evening timings are from 8.00 pm to 9.30 pm. The number of devotees rise to nearly 30,000 during important religious events like the Paraya festival. A special delicacy served during lunch is called ‘Gojju’, which is prepared using pineapple, brinjal, and bitter gourd. The expenses of the entire Udupi Krishna Matha are borne by the voluntary contributions of the devotees and by the Ashta Mathas that manage the Sri Krishna Matha. 
The Udupi Shri Krishna Temple has a rich and illustrious history, aptly reflected in the culture and tradition which has been preserved to date and a must visit destination to experience the Divine grace of the Lord.
Temple Timings: Vishwaroopa Darshan: 05.30 AM to 06.00 AM 06.00 AM to 08.30 PM