Credible Details On Udupi Sree Krishna Temple: Udupi Sri Krishna Temple (Temple Timings, History, Entry Fee, Seva, Dress Code, Distance, Accommodation & Contact), How to reach.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
Temples are the most admirable places for Hindu believers. Devotees worship and seeking for blessings from the Lord in Temples. Udupi Krishna temple is located in the coastal region of Karnataka. Among other surrounding temples in the Udupi area, one must visit the Udupi Krishna temple and look brilliantly at Krishna, who is in a child’s form. The legends state that Yasodha wanted him to appear in that form. For this reason, it attracts people and devotees from all sides of the world. The tradition indicates that before visiting the Krishna temple, the devotee has to go through the Chandramouleshwara and Anantheshwara temples, which existed before the Udupi Krishna temple.
The Significance of Udupi Krishna Temple
The Udupi Krishna temple is among the “Seven Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka” constructed Parashurama land from the sea. The other six temples are:
- Sankaranarayana temple.
- Kumbhashi temple.
- Kollur temple.
- Gokarna temple.
- Kodeshwara temple.
- Subramanya temple.
The Lord’s Darshan is done through an open-meshed window named “Navagraha Kitiki or Kanakana kindi. The window consists of nine holes dedicated to the nine planets. It has silver-plating carvings showing the avatars of Lord Vishnu. The deity worshipped in the Udupi temple is Lord Krishna. The idol represents Lord Krishna as a small boy and stands touching on his right hand a rope on his left hand a rope. The Lord Krishna’s representation of this kind is found only in Udupi temple. The leading light of the lamps surrounding Lord Krishna in the temple is Sri Madhawacharya. The lamps that were lighted in the 13th century are still burning. The Lord Mukhyapradana and Garuda Idols were bought in Ayodhya and installed in Udupi Krishna temple shrines.
According to traditional beliefs, Chandra, the moon God, prayed for the curse to be released from Daksha Prajapati. Through his devotion, Lord Shiva released him from the curse. The devotees believe that Sri Madhwacharya gave power to eight disciples to help in the temple functions. The chosen eight disciples made a Matha, who changed their duties every two years. The 8 Mathas include:
- Shirur Mutt.
- Palimar Mutt.
- Pejawar mutt.
- Krishna Mutt.
- Admar Mutt.
- Sode Mutt.
- Kaniyour Mutt.
- Puttige Mutt.
Udupi Krishna Temple History
The Udupi received a visitor named Kanaka Dasa in the early 16th century. Kanaka Dasa was a devoted devotee to Lord Krishna. Udupi was well known as “Sivalli” or “Rajathapeetapuram” by that time. Before the arrival of Kanaka Dasa, there were two existing temples, Chandramouleeshwara and Anantheshwara temples, making the place holy.
Sri Raghuvarya Thirtha explains the history of the Udupi Sree Krishna temple, stating that Devaki, Krishna’s mother, never witnessed the birth of her son Krishna and always complained about it. Due to Devaki’s wish, Lord Krishna came up with the form of a small boy who played with Devaki. Once, as they were making butter, Krishna took the butter mix, ate the lamps and grabbed Devaki’s rope.
He started playing, leading Krishna’s wife, Rukmini Devi, to keep the memory. Having the idol show Krishna touching the rope and churning rod, she regularly worshipped the idol. Lord Krishna went to heaven, and Arjuna took the idol to Rukminivana, where he worshipped it with Chandana. Time passed, and a thick clay came on the idol. Merchants who mistook it as ballast took it.
Udupi Krishna Temple Timings
The Udupi Krishna temple opening hours are from 4:30 am to 9:00 pm. Changes in the temple timings may happen in case of festivals and special occasions. The below points indicate the Udupi Krishna temple timings:
- The temple opens from 4:30 am to 9:30 pm.
- Nirmalya Visarjana Puja starts at 4:50 am.
- Ushakala Puja start at 6:00 am.
- Akshya patra-Gopuja is at 6:15 am.
- Vishwaroopa Darshana at 6:20 am.
- Panchamritabhisheka at 6:30 am.
- Udvartana Puja at 7:00 am.
- Kalasha Puja at 7:30 am.
- Teertha Puja at 7:40 am.
- Alankara Puja at 8:30 am.
- Avasara Sanakadi Puja at 10:30 am.
- Mahapuja at 11:00 am.
- Chamara Seva at 7:00 pm.
- Ratripuja at 7:30 pm.
- Rangapuja at 7:40 pm.
- Utsava at 8:00 pm.
- Thottilu Puja at 8:30 pm.
- Kolalu Seva at 8:40 pm.
- Ekanta Seva at 8:49 pm.
Rituals and Poojas were Performed at Udupi Krishna Temple
The Udupi Krishna temple performs Poojas for the deity every day. The Poojas include:
- Udvartana Pooja.
The Pooja is done at 7:00 am by a priest bathing the idol in perfume water and offering butter, coconuts, and milk. Lastly, the Aarti is raised.
- Alankara Pooja.
The Alankara Pooja starts at 8:30 am. The priest is mandated to decorate the deity with gold and ornaments and then offer Tulasi garlands to God. The following offers are also given: Curds, Rice, Betel leaves, sweets, milk, and coconuts, as Matha musicians lead the singing of hymns and songs.
- Nirmalya Visarjana.
Done by the priest early at 5:30 am. The priests remove the decorations, apparel, flowers, and ornaments dedicated the day before and wash the idol. Lastly, the priest offers the following:
- Naivedyam from Tulasi.
- Ginger.
- Betel leaves.
- Bengal gram.
- Ghee.
- Puffed Rice.
- Curd.
- Coconut.
- Jiggery.
- Maha Pooja
This is the central Pooja performed in the temple at 11:00 am. The Pooja is performed by Matha, who offers Tulasi, sandal paste, and rice, while Vishnu Ssahasranama, Brahma Stotra, and Krishna Stotra chants are performed.
- Akshaya Patra and Co-Pooja
A cow is chosen from a cow shed, and the priest worships it. The Seva is done at 6:15 pm. After the worshipping, he gives rice and jaggery to cows.
- Chamara Seva
The Pooja starts at 7:00 pm by offering it to holy books and Vigraha. The Udupi temple musicians are led by Kirtans and Bhajans songs. An Aarti is raised after offering puffed rice and jaggery to the idol.
- Avasara Pooja
The Pooja is done at 10:00 am by performing Aarti and giving rice and coconuts.
- Panch amrita Pooja
It includes the worship of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana with Panchamrit. The pooja is done at 6:30 am. The priest removes the sandal paste and flowers found in the temple of Surya Saale and pours gold coins into the idol. The deity is washed with:
- Milk.
- Sugar.
- Ghee.
- Curd.
- Honey.
The deity is given 32 tender coconuts with bananas.
- Ratri pooja.
The Ratri pooja takes place at 7:30 pm. The Pooja entails cooked rice, jaggery, milk, ghee and tender coconut. Chanting and music hymns are done as Aarti is raised.
- Pradakshina Namaskara
The priest surrounds the deity four times and goes to Madhav Sarovar. This is where the Goddess Bhagirathi is worshipped and does offerings in Sarovar. He goes to Vrindavana and then feeds the cows in the cow shed. After that, he returns to give theertham to priests and devotees, then to the dining hall.
- Theertha Pooja
Starts at 7:40 am with the priest using holy water from the gold vessel. Using a piece of clean cloth, he dries the idol and decorates it with:
- Flowers.
- Tulasi garlands.
- Sandal paste.
Devotees receive the holy water from the Abhishek, known as theertham.
- Kalasha Pooja
The starts at 7:30 am, and the priest performs it by putting gold Kalasas in front of the idol. He gives cooked rice to the idol and then to Garuda. The rice offering is given to Madhava Sarovar to feed fishes.
- Sri Mukhyaprana Pooja
The Naivedyams offering to Sri Krishna at the time of Maha pooja is also offered to Sri Mukhyaprana. After that, the priest raises the Aarti.
- Ranga Pooja
It starts with priests spreading four pots of Panchakajjaya. The pots are spread on banana leaves following a line before Sri Mukyaprana. The Aarti is performed by lighting lamps on the sides.
- Ushakala Pooja
The priest starts by performing the Abhishekam at 6:00 am. He uses holy water kept in silver vessels.
Eight Aartis are done, and the offering of the following things is done:
- Tulasi.
- Banana.
- Betel leaves.
- Sandal paste.
- Rice.
- Curd.
- Coconut.
- Milk.
- Ekantha Seva.
Done at 8:50 pm, where the priest lays the Utsava murti on a golden cradle. After raising the Aarti, lullaby songs and the conch are blown, stating that the day is over.
Other Pooja and rituals include:
- Simhasana pooja– offered to Naivedya.
- Sri Madhwacharya pooja– offered to Sri Madhwacharya.
- Sarva Seva.
- Laksha Deepotsava.
- Akhanda Saptotsava.
- Annadanam.
- Ksheera Abhishek.
- Ashtotta Archana.
- Vaayustuti Parayana.
- Nanda Deepa.
- Karpoora Mangal Aarti.
- Sahasranamarchana.
Dress Code in Udupi Krishna Temple
The required dress code in the temple is traditional wear. Men are not allowed to wear vests and shirts, while women are not allowed to wear Bermuda’s and pants.
Festivals are celebrated at Udupi Krishna temple
- Vasantotsava Festival
It is celebrated from March to April as the beginning of the spring season. During this period, several activities like Prasadam and special Pooja are performed in two months. The Ratha Yatra for deity is done on the night of the first day of Akshaya Tritiya and ends in May on Vaisakha Poornima.
- Saptosava Festival
It is celebrated in seven days. It starts five days before the Makara Sankranti, which occurs in January. Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana’s idols are placed on Garuda as Lord Anantheshwara’s and Chandreshwara’s idols are put on the Mahapuja ratha and taken around the town.
- Holi Kamadahana Festival
Occurs in March. Done by the idol (Lord Krishna) procession from the temple to Kadiyali and taken back. Lord Kamadeva’sidol, which means God’s love, is burnt according to their beliefs as he sacrificed himself for the relationship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati after the demise of Goddess Sati, who is Shi,va’s wife. The devotees apply their bodies with paste revel and coloured water during the festival.
- Rathotsava Festival
The devotees believe that Sri Madhwacharya kept the Lord Krishna’s idol in the temple sanctum during the Makara Sankranthi. One of the six-day priests keeps the Utsava Murthis of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana in a golden palanquin, then takes it to Madhava Sarovar and places it in a decorated float around the Sarovar. The idols of the below-mentioned Gods are carried by priests and kept in the following:
- Lord Krishna is kept in a decorated Brahma Ratha.
- Lord Mukhyaprana is kept in Garuda Ratha.
- Lord Chandreshwara and Lord Anantheshwara are kept in Mahapuja Ratha.
By chanting the Lord’s name, devotees pull the chariots where the lords are placed while calling their names. After the chariots arrive at the temple, the priests do the Pooja for the idols after taking them to Vasantha Mahal. The idols are brought to the temple sanctum, where the Ekantha and flute Sevas are performed as the day ends.
- Mesh Sankranti
Marked at the New Year, which comes in April. It is celebrated by doing Pooja in the cradle as devotees bring out theRatha Yatra of Lord Krishna. The festival is also called:
- Puthandu in Tamil.
- Bihu in Assam.
- Vishu in Kerala.
- Baisakhi in Punjab.
- Churnotsava
The festival is done on the last day of Mahapuja by devotees bringing the Utsava Murthis of Lord Krishna and Mukhyaprayana in a golden palanquin to the Brahma Ratha. The mandated priests do Mangala Aarti by offering fruits and sweets. The below steps are followed during the ritual:
- The Garuda rotates around the Brahma Ratha throughout from the above.
- The chariot moves around the streets and then to Madhava Sarovar.
- The priests bathe the Lord, and everyone takes a dip in Sarovar.
- The priests give flowers, which are applied with golden paste, to their God and throw them to the crowd.
- Sri Madhava Navami
The day is celebrated to remember the disappearance of Saint Madhwacharya from the sight. Special Poojas are conducted to Madhwacharya at Anathasana Temple. Many believe he still lives in the form of the Holy Spirit. The feeding of Brahmins is done as they recite the Madhwavijaya.
- Shri Krishna Jayanti
The day is celebrated between August and September, and complete fasting is performed throughout the day. The following day, the guests are given offerings such as milk sweets. An image of clay representing Sri Krishna is moved around the town, and they celebrate the Handi ceremony by breaking clay pots on buildings and poles. The devotees create great amusement by dressing as masked figures and animals and returning the idol to the Madhava Sarovar.
Other festivals include:
- Navaratri festival.
- Chaturmasa festival
- Ram Navami festival.
- Deepavali festival.
- Narasimha Jayanti festival.
- Gurusamaradhana festival.
- Bhagirathi Jayanti festival.
- Subramanya Shashti festival.
- Tulasi Vrindavana festival.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple Near Hotel Rooms
Surrounding Accommodations in Udupi Krishana Mutt
In Udupi, there are lodges and hotels that offer accommodation facilities. They include:
- Rukmini Residency.
Rukmini Residency stands 3km from the railway station and a distance walk of 7 minutes to Udupi Anantheshwara temple. It is in a trading area surrounded by shops and restaurants.
- Hotel Sriram Residency.
It lies between a 4-minute walk from Udupi Krishna temple and a walk of 8 minutes from Malpe. The hotel is well-furnished and well-maintained, making everyone comfortable.
- Hotel Krishna Residency.
The hotel is two kilometres from Udupi temple, nine kilometres from Udupi Padukare beach and four kilometres from Udupi Railway station.
Nearby places for feeding.
The devotees are fed in the Bohdan Saale, located on the northern side of Udupi Krishna temple. Prasadam is in the temple kitchen, and other restaurants serve Udupi and North Indian cuisine. The restaurants also provide non-vegetarian foods.
Udupi sri krishna temple official website
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Nearby Temples in Udupi Sree Krishna Temple
The Udupi temple is surrounded by other temples, such as:
- Shri Janardhana Mahakali temple.
The temple is situated three kilometres from Udupi Krishna temple in Ambalpay area. The deity serving the temple is Goddess Mahakali, who is believed to have come to earth as a guardian, followed by Janardhana Swamy.
- Sri Mahishamardhini temple.
It is from 1200 years ago and is situated in Kadiyali. The temple idol stands with four arms, holding the Prayaga chakra in one hand and the other holding Shanka. The idol represents the piercing head of the Mahishasura demon.
- Chandramouleeshwara temple.
Located opposite the Udupi Krishna temple. It is believed to be where Chandra prayed for relief from a curse from Daksha. The curse indicates that Chandra will reduce in size until he vanishes. The Lord Shiva serves as the deity in the temple. The traditional belief states that Linga changes from the below-given ways:
- In the morning, it changes from black.
- At noon, it changes from blue.
- In the evening, it changes from white.
- Batte Vinayaka temple.
It is the oldest temple in the area and was built by the Barkur kingdom. The temple’s deity is Lord Ganapathi, facing the north side and leaning to the west.
- Anatheshwara temple.
The Sage Parashurama took the temple land from the sea and chose the Ramabhoja as king. While working on the land to do Ashwamedha Yogna, he mistakenly killed a snake and made a silver peetham to remove the curse.
How to Reach Udupi Krishna temple
Best ways to reach Udupi Krishna temple.
Udupi temple is well connected to various means of transport:
- Road.
There are cooperation buses; KSRTC operates on regular buses from:
- Mysore.
- Bengaluru.
- Mangalore.
- Air
The Mangalore International Airport is 59 kilometres from Udupi town, serving as the nearest airport.
- Train.
Udupi, being the central railway station, is the nearest serving the Konkan route. Trains serve the following cities:
- Murudeshwar.
- Mumbai.
- Trivandrum.
- Jaipur.
- Madgaon.
- Kohlapur.
- Bengaluru.
Also read Guruvayur Temple Timings Today, Darshan, Pooja Online Booking 2025
FAQs.
- Who is the deity in the Udupi Krishna temple?
The deity in the Udupi Krishna temple is Lord Krishna.
- What is the dress code in the Udupi Krishna temple?
The dress code in the Udupi Krishna temple is traditional, in which men are not allowed to wear vests and shirts, and women are not allowed to wear Bermuda’s and pants.