The Legend of Karnataka's Udupi Shri Krishna Temple
- Ria Kanchan
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 26
South India is renowned for its culture, natural beauty, and temples. These magnificent structures highlight the region's rich cultural heritage, which remains largely unchanged today. It’s not just the temples' fine architecture that makes them special; the legends and histories associated with them enhance their uniqueness. The mythological tales linked to each temple leave a lasting impression on the thousands of devotees who visit each year.
Exploring the Heart of South India: The Shri Krishna Temple in Udupi
One remarkable temple is the Shri Krishna Temple located in Udupi, Karnataka. This town is often referred to as the ‘Mathura’ of Southern India. The temple, known as ‘Shri Krishna Matha’ (meaning monastery), is a significant pilgrimage site in South India. It is surrounded by fascinating legends that beckon visitors to delve into its history.
The Rich History of Udupi Shri Krishna Temple
Shri Madhavacharya, a celebrated Vaishnava saint and the founder of Dvaita philosophy, established the Udupi Shri Krishna Temple in the 13th century. Legend has it that he discovered an idol of Lord Krishna hidden within a large stone ball of sandalwood.
The Story Behind the Formation of the Idol
According to Hindu mythology, Rukmini, Shri Krishna’s wife, requested an idol of Balkrishna. To fulfill her wish, Lord Krishna entrusted Vishwakarma, the divine architect of the Gods, with creating the idol. Vishwakarma crafted a stunning childlike idol of Lord Krishna which Rukmini began to worship.
Over time, numerous devotees in Dwarka honored the idol, covering it with sandalwood paste. This continued until a catastrophic flood engulfed Dwarka, washing away the sandalwood and revealing the idol beneath.
The Discovery of the Idol by Shri Madhvacharya
Centuries later, a sailor discovered the idol disguised as a rock on an island. He used it to stabilize his ship. However, during a fierce storm, Shri Madhvacharya, who was meditating at Malpe beach, sensed the danger. He implored Lord Vishnu to calm the tempest, then signaled the sailor to reach the shore.
Once safe, the sailor wanted to express his gratitude and offered Madhvacharya something from his ship.
Madhvacharya graciously accepted the sandalwood rock. While breaking it days later, the idol of Balkrishna emerged. The saint was ecstatic, realizing that this was the idol Rukmini once worshipped. He decided to bring the idol back to his Matha (monastery) in Udupi, just about 4 km from where he meditated.
A Unique Way of Worshiping in Udupi
At the Udupi Shri Krishna Temple, the idol represents a small boy, Balkrishna. While the idol cannot be viewed directly, devotees can see it through a silver-plated window with nine holes called ‘Navagraha Kitiki’. This window features the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Another unique aspect of the temple is that, unlike most temples, the idol faces West instead of East.
The Legend of the West-Facing Balkrishna Idol
In the past, people from lower castes were often barred from entering temples. Kanakadasa, a devoted follower of Lord Krishna, yearned to see his deity but was refused entry due to his caste.
Undeterred, Kanakadasa ran to the west side of the temple, peering through three holes in the wall, but the idol faced east. Still, he prayed passionately for Lord Krishna to reveal Himself to him.
Impressed by Kanakadasa's devotion, Balkrishna's idol miraculously turned westward, allowing him to view it through the nine-holed window. This legend explains why the idol faces west. Today, it is customary to offer prayers through this nine-holed window, known as ‘Kanakana Kindi’.
AUTHOR
Ria Kanchan
Pratha Content Writing Intern
Comentários