Photo 1 / 4Gopuram above the tiled roofs. Photo: Starstuffseyyon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
About the Temple
The Sri Krishna Math stands on Car Street in the centre of Udupi and is linked to the 13th-century philosopher Madhvacharya. Eight Madhva Maths take turns to run its worship, handing over every two years in the Paryaya ceremony. Devotees view the Krishna image through a latticed window rather than from inside the sanctum, and men remove their shirts before the inner temple.
Why visit
- See the shrine at the heart of the Madhva tradition and the Paryaya rotation among the eight Maths.
- View Krishna through the window linked by legend to the poet-saint Kanakadasa.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 4:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Karnataka Tourism gives one long day, but rituals pause the queue at intervals. The Math's own website lists darshan from 05:00 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 21:00, with the Maha Pooja from 10:30 to 11:30, so plan around an afternoon break. Timings can change during the Paryaya handover in January of even years and on festival days. Confirm at the Math office.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1 hour to 2 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
From 19 January 2026 men are reported to remove their shirts before the inner temple at all hours, not only at the morning Maha Pooja. Jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless tops and short outfits are refused for everyone. Men wear a dhoti or trousers; women wear a sari or salwar suit.
Reported by newskarnataka.com, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
No general phone ban was found, but photography is restricted inside the main shrine. Keep your phone put away near the sanctum.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Access
Step counts and wheelchair routes are not confirmed. Ask at the Math office on Car Street before you join the queue.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Photography
Photography is restricted inside the main shrine. The Math's own website also bars photos near the window through which devotees view Krishna.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- The Paryaya rotation
Eight Madhva Maths (Palimaru, Adamaru, Krishnapura, Puttige, Shiroor, Sode, Kaniyooru and Pejawara) take turns to run the worship, handing over every two years. Shiroor Math holds the 2026 to 2028 term.
- Kanakana Kindi
A small window in the west wall through which devotees view Krishna. Legend links it to the poet-saint Kanakadasa, who is said to have been granted darshan through the wall.
- Madhva Sarovara
The temple tank where many pilgrims bathe before darshan.
- Car Street and the chariots
The Math faces Car Street, where temple chariots stand and the Rathotsava processions run.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
- By air: Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) · about 60 km
- By train: Udupi · about 3 km
- By road: KSRTC and private buses link Udupi with Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Goa and Pune. The Math is on Car Street in the town centre.
Sources: karnatakatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Malpe BeachA beach with boats to St Mary's Island.6 km by road
- Anegudde Vinayaka TempleA Ganesha temple at Kumbashi on the way north to Kollur.25 km by road
- Kollur Mookambika TempleThe Devi shrine at the foot of Kodachadri, the next stop on the coastal temple route.60 km away
Sources: karnatakatourism.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a dress code at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple?
From 19 January 2026 men are reported to remove their shirts before the inner temple at all hours, not only at the morning Maha Pooja. Jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless tops and short outfits are refused for everyone. Men wear a dhoti or trousers; women wear a sari or salwar suit.
Can I take my phone inside Udupi Sri Krishna Temple?
No general phone ban was found, but photography is restricted inside the main shrine. Keep your phone put away near the sanctum.
What are the Udupi Krishna temple darshan timings?
Karnataka Tourism gives 04:30 to 21:30 with ritual pauses. The Math's own website lists 05:00 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 21:00, with the Maha Pooja from 10:30 to 11:30. Plan around an afternoon break.
Do men have to remove their shirts at Udupi?
Yes. Since 19 January 2026 men are reported to remove shirts before the inner temple at every hour. Jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless and short outfits are refused for all visitors.
Is there an entry fee or paid darshan at Udupi Sri Krishna Math?
No. Karnataka Tourism says entry is free and one queue serves everyone.
What is the Paryaya at Udupi?
The eight Madhva Maths take turns to run the temple. Every two years, in mid-January of an even year, charge passes to the next Math in a public ceremony that draws large crowds.