Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Hindu temple and monastery in Udupi, India
Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is a Hindu temple and monastery in Udupi, Karnataka. The site includes wooden pillars, finely worked stone reliefs and several ceremonial halls that surround the central sanctuary.
Madhvacharya, founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta philosophy, established the institution in the 13th century as a center for spiritual learning. Eight monastic institutions, known as the Ashta Mathas, later took over administration and rotate their responsibility every two years through a ceremony called Paryaya.
The site takes its name from odu and pa, Sanskrit words for moon and lord, expressing Krishna's status as divine protector. Worshippers and visitors gather daily for rituals in front of the shrine, where priests chant prayers and present offerings made from flowers and ghee.
Visitors should remove shoes, maintain quiet during prayer sessions, and wear modest clothing when entering the premises. The complex is open daily from 5 AM to 9 PM, with main rituals taking place in the early morning and evening.
The deity appears through a silver-plated window with nine openings, known as Navagraha Kitiki, positioned behind a solid silver mandala. Worshippers can only view the figure through this special arrangement, creating a moment of focus.
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