Tirtha Atlas

The sacred geography of the Indic world — every site mapped, dated, storied, and cited.

1126 sites15 countries4 traditions30 centuries
High medieval · Hindu · India

Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi

ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮಠ

Udupi, Karnataka · 13.3409°, 74.7421°

Krishna (Bala Krishna)Alupa eraKerala–Tulu
Sacred since
1238 CE
first attestation / structure
Standing structure
founded 13th c.
patron: Madhvacharya

History & significance

Founded by the Dvaita philosopher Madhvacharya, who by tradition recovered the Krishna idol from a ship's clay ballast. The deity is viewed only through a silver-plated nine-holed window; eight mathas rotate worship in the biennial Paryaya festival. Udupi's temple kitchens made its name a global synonym for vegetarian cooking.

Sthala katha — the legend

The low-caste devotee Kanakadasa, refused entry, sang to Krishna from behind the temple — the idol turned to face him, and the wall cracked open into the window (Kanakana Kindi) through which all devotees now receive darshan.

Reaching there

Udupi has its own railway station with connections to major cities, and Mangaluru International airport is about 60 km away. Frequent buses and taxis run along NH66 between Mangaluru and Udupi.

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Sources

coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Alupa era