Sri Krishna Matha
About
The Sri Krishna Matha was founded in 1238 by Madhvacharya, the 13th-century philosopher-saint who established the Dvaita (dualist) school of Vaishnava thought. The temple houses a black-stone image of Krishna as a child with a churning rod (said to have been discovered by Madhvacharya inside a block of gopi-chandana mud that washed ashore). Unusually, devotees view the deity only through a nine-window screen; the 'Navagraha Kitaki and the temple is administered by the eightfold Ashta Matha system where each math supervises in rotation for two years. The biennial Paryaya festival, when administration passes to a new math, is one of the most atmospheric religious events in Karnataka.
Highlights
What makes this place special
Navagraha Kitaki
The nine-window screen through which devotees view the Krishna image — an unusual darshan arrangement specific to this temple, meant to recall Madhvacharya's vision.
Paryaya Festival Rotation
Every two years, administration rotates to a new Ashta Matha in a spectacular ceremony — one of the most atmospheric religious events in Karnataka.
Things to Know
- •Open 4:30 AM to 9 PM
- •Free entry
- •Viewing through 9-window screen
- •No photography inside
- •Free prasad at lunch and dinner
