Mysteries of the Udupi Krishna Temple: A Divine Gaze Beyond the Bars

Not only is the Udupi Krishna Temple located on the tranquil coastline of Karnataka, it is also a mystical and sacred space. Established more than 800 years ago, this temple is at the center of the Dvaita Vedanta school of Jagadguru Madhvacharya, dedicated to Lord Krishna in his eternal child form. Yet, what is compelling about this temple is not solely its sacredness - it is the many layers of mystery surrounding a) the routines of daily worship, and b) the architectural beauty of the temple, as well as c) the legends arising from the temple grounds.

A Devotee’s Pane of the Divine in Udupi Krishna Temple: The Kanakana Kindi

One of the most talked about and mysterious yet commonly understood features of the Udupi Krishna Temple is the Kanakana Kindi, a fifteen-centimeter by fifteen-centimeter window with nine holes to see the Lord through. In most temples, devotees see the idol with unobstructed access, to be able to worship the idol directly, but in Udupi, the intended worship is conducted through this little window.

According to legend, Kanakadasa, a saint-poet and great devotee of Krishna, was barred from the temple due to caste. Not to be deterred, he stood behind the temple and chanted the glories of the Lord with unwavering devotion. Krishna was so moved by his chanting, that he turned the idol, from east to west, breaking the wall! The miraculous window bears Kanakana Kindi, signifying that real devotion breaks any and all divides.

The Idol That Turned

Another mystery is the facing of the idol. Most idols of deities are facing east: towards the sun coming up. Krishna is different. Krishna faces west, and looks directly out the Kanakana Kindi. This is a silent, yet powerful act of divine rebellion against the rigidity of ritual, reaffirming that heartfelt bhakti leads the way.

Why no direct Darshan?

Visitors ask why they cannot simply go see the Lord directly. The answer relates to humility and devotion. There is a tradition of humility, and devotion, and a nine-holed window, as a veil to a Divine, beckons the devotee to calm their mind, align their gaze, and have an intimate, contemplative darshan. It indicates that seeing the Divine requires more than eyes—it requires clarity of heart and mind.

The Rotating Paryaya System

The temple has another unique aspect—the Paryaya system—a rotational ritual administration of the eight Mathas (monasteries) established by Madhvacharya. Every two years, a different Swamiji from one of these Mathas takes charge of the temple. This rare governance provides continuity in the community and marks out an opportunity for diversity in spiritual leadership; it prevents stagnation and centralization of power.

More Than a Temple

Mysteries abound in the Udupi Krishna Temple that cannot be told solely through architecture or ritual. The secrets settled in the whispers of narratives written in stone, in the power of the direction of the idol, and in the deep inclusiveness bound inside its legends. It is the place where divinity encountered obstructions and diverted the resistances into grace. For the seeker, Udupi is not a destination, but an image.