Holy Pilgrimage – 27 (Udupi) at 2:10 PM

87. Udupi

Udupi (Tulu:, Konkani and Kannada:) is a town in the south-west Indian State of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Udupi District. Udupi is notable for the Krishna Temple, and lends its name to the popular Udupi cuisine. Udupi, also known as Rajata Peetha and Shivalli (Shivabelli), a centre of pilgrimage, is situated about 58 km north of Mangalore and about 422 km north-west of Bangalore.

 

Etymology

It is widely believed that the name of Udupi was derived from its Tulu name Odipu. The Tulu name in turn is associated with a temple at Malpe, devoted to Vadapandeshwara. Another story is that the name Udupi came from the combination of the Sanskrit words Udu and Pa, which mean "stars" and "lord." According to legend, the moon's light was once reduced due to a curse by King Daksha, whose 27 daughters (the 27 stars, according to Hindu astrology) were married to the moon. The moon prayed to Lord Shiva to get back its original shine. Lord Shiva was pleased with the moon's prayer and restored its shine. Legend says that the moon and his wives made their prayer at the Chandramouleeshwara temple at Udupi, creating a linga that can be seen even today. According to this story, therefore, Udupi means the land of the "lord of the stars," the moon.

Religious significance

Udupi is known for the Krishna Mutt (Temple of Lord Krishna) and also native place of the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhvacharya who founded the Krishna Mutt in the 13th century.
According to folklore, there was a storm in the sea at Malpe. Shri Madhvacharya was on the shore at the time and saw a ship which was in trouble. He helped the ship reach the shore to safety. The sailors were very grateful to him and gave him deities of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama. He did the pratishte (installation ceremony) of the deity of Lord Balarama near Malpe. This temple is known as Vadapandeshwara. He brought the deity of Lord Krishna and did the pratishte at Udupi. This temple is known as Krishna Mutt
Shri Madhvacharya handed over the puja and administration of Krishna Mutt to his 8 disciples. Each of them set up their Matha (monasteries) around the Krishna Mutt.^[1] These are known as the Ashta Matha. These Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura. Since then, the daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (eight temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs Mutt management activities for two years in a cyclical order. During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the Mutt management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the Mutt during his Paryaya
In the 16th century during Sri Vaadiraja's administration, Kanakadasa an ardent believer of God came to Udupi to worship Lord Krishna. He was not allowed inside the Mutt since he was from the caste other than Brahmin, as during that time only Brahmins had the privilege of entering the Mutt to offer pooja to the God. He tried to see Lord Krishna from a small window, but was only able to see Lord Krishna from the back. It is believed that Sri Krishna was pleased by Kanakadasa's bhakti(devotion), so he turned to window. This window is known as Kanakana Kindi. To this day, the Vigraha (Deity) of Lord Krishna faces the back of the Mutt towards the Kanakana Kindi. All Hindu temples have their Vigraha (Deity) facing the entrance of the temple, except Krishna Mutt. Kanakana Kindi is decorated with carvings depicting the ten incarnations of Vishnu. Through the nine small holes of the window we should see the deity of Sri Kadagolu Krishna as a very young boy. He holds the churning rod in His right hand and rope in his left. The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the center of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.

Udupi Sri Krishna Matha

Udupi Sri Krishna Matha (Tulu:) is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to god Krishna located in the town of Udupi in Karnataka, India.
The matha area resembles a living ashram, a holy place for daily devotion and living. Surrounding the Sri Krishna Matha are several temples, the most ancient being made of basic wood and stone of 1,500 years origin.

History

The Krishna Matha was founded by the Vaishnavite saint Shri Madhwacharya in the 13th century. He was the founder of the Dvaita school of Vedanta. It is believed that Madhwacharya found the idol of SriKrishna in a large ball of gopichanda.
Legend has it that once Kanakadasa, a pious worshiper and devotee of Lord Krishna, was not allowed entry into the temple. It didn't upset him; instead it made him pray with intense devotion. Lord Krishna was so pleased that the statue turned back to where Kanakadasa was praying, and the wall before Kanakadasa broke up to allow the disciple to gaze upon his heavenly form at the back of the mutt (monastery). Till today, devotees still worship Lord Krishna by praying through the same window that Kanakadasa was blessed with a view: It is known as Kanakanakhindi.

Direct students of Madhvacharya

Direct students of Madhvacharya were many. His first disciple was Shri Sathya Theertha. All other mathas except the Ashta mathas were established by Sri Padmanabha Thirtha. His disciples do not have the right to perform pooja to Lord Udupi Shri Krishna as it is headed and governed by the Ashta mathas.

• Sri Vishnu Thirtha, Sode Matha
• Sri Vamana Thirtha, Shirur Matha
• Sri Rama Thirtha, Kanniyur Matha
• Sri Adokshaja Thirtha, Pejavara Matha
• Sri Hrishikesha Thirtha, Palimaru Matha
• Sri Narahari Thirtha, Adamaru Matha
• Sri Janardhana Thirtha, Krishnapura Matha
• Sri Upendra Thirtha, Puthige Matha

Krishna Matha

The daily sevas (offerings to god) and administration of the Krishna Mutt are managed by the Ashta Mathas (eight temples). Each of the Ashta Mathas performs temple management activities for two years in a cyclical order. They are collectively known as the Krishna Matha.
The Krishna Matha is known throughout the world for its religious customs, traditions, and learning in Dvaita or Tatvavaada philosophy. It is also the centre of Daasa Sahitya, a form of literature that originated in Udupi.
These eight Mathas are Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura

Swamijis of the Ashta Mathas

The swamijis of the Ashta Mathas and their successors are given as below:

Matha	Swamiji	Successor
Pejavara	Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji	Sri Vishvaprasanna Tirtha Swamiji
Palimaru	Sri Vidhyadeesha Tirtha Swamiji
Adamaru	Sri Vishvapriya Tirtha Swamiji
Puttige	Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji
Sodhe	Sri Vishvavallabha Tirtha Swamiji
Kaniyooru	Sri Vidyavallabha Tirtha Swamiji
Shirur	Sri Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji
Krishnapura	Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji

 The guru parampara of this Math

  anardana Teertha

  Srivatsankita Teertha

  Vagisha Teertha

  Lokesha Teertha

  Lokantha Teertha

  Lokapriya Teertha

  Vidyadhiraja Teertha

  Vishvavadiraja Teertha

  Vishvadhisha Teertha

  Vishvesha Teertha

  Vishvavandya Teertha

  Vishvaraja Teertha

  Dharanidhara Teertha

  Dharadhara Teertha

  Prajnamurthi Teertha

  Tapomurthi Teertha

  Suresvara Teertha

18.                     Jagannatha Teertha

19.                     Suresh Teertha

20.                     Vishvapungava Teertha

21.                     Vishvavaltabha Teertha

22.                     Vishvabhushana Teertha

23.                     Yadavendra Teertha

24.                     Prajnamurthi Teertha

25.                     Vidyadhiraja Teertha

26.                     Vidyamurthi Teertha

27.                     Vidyavailabha Teertha

28.                     Vidyendra Teertha

29.                     Vidyanidhi Teertha

30.                     Vidyasamudra Teertha

31.                     Vidyapathi Teertha

32.                     Vidyadhisha Teertha

33.                     Vidyapurna Teertha

34.                     Vidyaratna Teertha

35.                     Vidyasagara Teertha (Present Swamiji)

Festivals

During the Paryaya festival, held every two years, the temple management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the temple during his Paryaya. The Paryaya is held on even years like 2008, 2010 and 2012. Festivals like Makara Sankranthi, Ratha Sapthami, Madhva Navami, Hanuma Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Navarathi Mahotsava, Madhva Jajanti (Vijaya Dashami), Naraka Chathurdashi, Deepavali, Geetha Jayanthi etc. are celebrated very grandly by Paryaya Mutt every year

Annual special festivals 

Seven Utsavas

The Saptosava or the seven Utsavas can be considered to be the annual festival in Sri Krishna Math. It commences 5 days prior, to, Makara Sankramanam and carries on daily. The sixth Utsavam takes place on the night of Makara Sankramana and on the next day, the Utsava takes place during day time (These Utsavas take place about the middle of January every year). On the first day as well as on Sankramana day, the Utsava commences at an auspicious time, after prayers and after propitiation of the Navagrahas. The Utsava Murthis of Sri Krishna and Mukhyaprana are taken out of the math in gold palanquin to the Madhwasarovar and placed in a well decorated float erected on boats and taken around the sarovara. This is known as Teppotsava or floating festival. From there the deities are brought in gold palanquin to the chariots outside, the Swamier takes the Murthi of Sri Krishna and the archaka takes the Murthi of Mukhyaprana up the chariot. A mangalarathi is raised in the chariot and then it is dragged halfway round the Car-Street and made to stop there for some time. The Swamiers take their seat on fresh cloth spread to on the ground and carry on philosophic discussions if they feel like. Fireworks take place at this time. Bhajans are sung. Camphor is lighted in a row. Fresh cloth dripped in oil is burnt. This is known a Agni Thorana (meant as an antidote for any evil eye cast on the deity who has arrived with all stately grandeur). After a string of gun powder explosions, the chariot is drawn again and brought to the starting point. The deities are then taken in gold palanquin to the 'Vasanta Mahal' and the 'cradle puja is performed. After Ashtavadhana and manthrakshata, the deities are taken inside the Math and the usual flute seva and ekanta seva take place. During the first five of these Utsavams, two chariots are drawn. In the medium chariot are placed the deities of Sri Krishna and Mukhyaprana and in the small chariot are placed the deities of Anantheswar and Chandramoulishwar. The Utsava on the Sankramana night, that is, on the sixth night, is the grandest. It is on this day that Sri Krishna idol was originally installed by Sri Madhwacharya in Udupi. On this night, all the three chariots are drawn.
In the biggest chariot (Brahma Ratha) is placed the murthi of Sri Krishna and in the smallest is placed the murthi of Sri Mukyaprana. In the medium chariot are placed the deities of Annantheswar and Chandreswar temples. After mangalarathi is raised to each of these deities in their respective chariots, the smallest chariot is first drawn and parked in the southern street (half way round ) on the right side, the medium chariot is parked on the same line on the left side and the biggest chariot is parked in line in the center. These three chariots standing side by side make a very grand and unique sight. It is only once a year, on this sankramana night, that all the three chariots are drawn. On the last day, the Utsavatakes place during day time. After Mahapuja, the Utsava murthis of Sri Krishna and Mukhyaprana are brought out in gold palanquin and taken up the biggest chariot. All the Swamiers go up the chariot one by one and raise mangalarathi. The offerings of laddu, fruits etc., together with coins are thrown by the Swamiers from up the chariot to the people below. At this time an eagle (garuda) is invariably seen to circle round this chariot. After this, the chariot is drawn round the Car Street and the deity is taken to the Vasantha Mahal (olaga mantapam) and a puja is performed. Mangalarathi is raised to the various Swamiers as well and after manthrakshate is distributed to all present, the Swamiers and others assembled smear themselves with coloured water. The Swamiji takes the deity to the Madhawasarovar and gives it a bath. This is a holy moment and all Swamiers and other men and women also take their bath in the tank at the same time. On this day flowers smeared with gold paste are offered to the deity in the chariot and the very same flowers are thrown from the chariot to the people assembled below. Hence this Utsava is known as (suvarna) Choornotsava. During all these seven days a large number of brahmin men ad women are fed in the Math but the number thus fed runs into thousands on the Choornotsava day.

Shri Madhwa Navami

Shri Madhwanavami celebrated on a grand scale in Udupi. It is on this auspicious day on the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Makara (February) that Sri Madhwacharya disappeared from mortal sight. On this day, all the Swamiers pay homage and make special puja to the sacred spot in the Ananthasana Temple from where he disappeared. It is believed that Sri Madhwacharya still resides in spirit in this holy spot. The paryaya Swamier arranges for the mass feeding of the brahmins on this day. All devout Maadhwas take bath on this day in Madhwasarovar, recite Madhwavijaya (biography of Sri Madhwacharya) and worship the sacred spot.
In the evening , the picture of Sri Madhwacharya is taken round in a procession. At night there is a grand Utsava in which the biggest chariot is drawn.

Holi Kamadahana

On this day in March, in the evening, a procession starts from Sri Krishna Math, proceeds upto Kadiyali and returns. At night there is another procession and the programme consists of the burning of an effigy of 'Kama'. Next morning there is another procession wherein the members smear themselves with coloured water.

Sri Rama Navami

This festival falls on the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Chaitra (April). There is a special Utsava for this occasion. There is a special Abhisheka for the deity (Sri Rama) of Sri Palimar Math if it happens to be in the Sri Krishna Math.

Mesha Sankramanam

This is the New Year's day. The celebrations consist of a chariot Utsava, cradle puja, reading of annual predictions from panchanga, distribution of Prasada etc. at day time.

Vasantotsava

This is the spring festival. Every year in Chaitra, Vasantapuja continues for 2 months every night. Light refreshment, in the form of prasadam, is distributed to the public after it is offered to God during the puja. From Akshaya Tritiya onwards, up to Vaishakha Poornima (in May), there is car festival every night at the end of which the cradle puja is performed in the Vasantha Mahal on a grand scale. On Vaishaka Dwadasi, the utsava takes place during afternoon and a large number of brahmins are treated to heavy refreshments after this.

Narasimha Jayanthi

The deities of Sri Krishnapur and Sri Kaniyoor Maths are Sri Narasimha. If these deities happen to be in the Sri Krishna Math, special abhisheka, feeding of brahmins and chariot utsavam take place on this day in the month of May.

Bhagirathi Janmadina

On this day in June, there is special puja in the 'Bhagirathi gudi' in the Madhwasarovar. A car festival for Lord Sri Krishna takes place at night, and mantapa puja is specially held before Bhagirathi gudi in Madhwa Sarovara.

Chaturmasa

The word 'Chaturmasa' means 'four months', it refers to a period from the bright half ekadasi of Ashada to the same day in Kartika. On the Ashada Shuddha Ashtami day, annual spring cleaning is done to the garbha gudi and all the utensils and articles used in connection with the pujas. On Ashada shuddha dasami day, there is special abhisheka to the idol of Sri Krishna which amounts to spring cleaning of the idol and other images. This is followed by a sumptuous feast to the invited gathering. On the next day, that is, on ekadasi, there is a branding ceremony called Tapta Mudradharana (in July).

Jagaraseva

On the ekadasi nights, during the above mentioned four months, there is a special puja at night and a programme till the early hours of the morning is arranged with a view to keep the pious people awake during the night. The programme consists of instrumental music, dancing and Sankeertana, reading of puranas etc. After a puja by the paryaya Swamier, all the Swamiers assembled also dance a little in bhakti and do pradakshina namaskara. On an auspicious day in the month of Ashada, the Utsava Murthi of Lord Sri Krishna is taken inside and is not brought out until Uttanadwadasi. During this period, which roughly coincides with the monsoon, there is no Utsava and no mantapapuja. During these four months, vegetables, curd, milk and pulses are taboo each month respectively and this discipline and self control is .observed by many orthodox people. It is during this period that the sacred thread ceremonies for the Rig, Yajur and Sama veda followers occur.
During the three important months in the year, puranas depicting the greatness of these months are read in three places namely Simhasana, Chandrashala and foot steps of Madhwasarovar. During Poornimas, Vyasapuja is conducted.

Sri Krishna Jayanthi

This festival comes off on the Shravana Krishna Ashtami, in the month of August or September every year. Complete fast is observed on that day and when the moon rises at about midnight, the Swamijis take their bath and offer special puja and 'Arghya' to Sri Krishna. Varieties of sweets are prepared as offerings during this puja.
Next day, after special puja in the morning a large number of invited guests are sumptuously fed in the morning itself as on dwadasi day (due to the previous day's fast.) At noon a special Utsava takes place. A clay image of Sri Krishna is kept on golden chariot and taken round the Car Street, which is beautifully decorated with number of special arches, under which earthen pots filled with coloured water and sweets are broken, in imitation of Sri Krishna's childish pranks. Various pantomimes, mimics of tigers, men in masked figures and fancy dress go about amusing the people. This celebration attracts a very huge crowd from neighbouring places. After the Utsava, the Math people indulge in sports, smear themselves in coloured water and take their bath. The clay idol is then thrown into the Madhwasarovar. Refreshments like laddus are served to the public.

Ganesh Chaturthi

This festival which is celebrated to mark the birth day of Ganapathi comes off on the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada in the month of September. It is also the day when Ganapathi was blessed by 'Vishwambhara Roopi Paramatma'. On the morning of this day, clay idol of Ganapathi is taken to the Sri Krishna Math in a grand procession and installed in a decorated mantapam in Badagumalige and worshipped. Similar images are installed in one or two other places also inside the Mutt and worshipped. Performance of special homa and feeding of brahmins take place on this day. These images are kept and worshipped for four days which attract a large number of devotees. On the fourth day, these are taken out in procession round the Car Street and brought to the Madhwasarovara. There they are kept in a decorated mantapam built on two boats and after being taken round the tank, are dropped into water one by one.

Anantha Chaturdasi

This festival comes off on the 14th day of bright half of Bhadrapada in the month of September. On this day there is Kalashaprathishte, special puja and sumptuous feast for brahmins in the Math.

Navarathri (Dasara)

This comes off usually in the month of October. Commencing with the first day of the bright half Ashvija, this festival lasts for 10 days. During the first nine days, the idol of Sri Krishna is decorated in the feminine form of Laksmi. Recitation from vedas, puranas and other scriptures takes place every day. On the Mulanakshatra day. holy books are kept in a specially erected mantapam in the Chandrashaia and worshipped. This Puja is repeated during the next 3 days as well. During this period offering of large quantities of panchakajjaya is made to God and distributed among the public. The holy books are removed on Shravana nakshatra day. On the tenth day, known as Vijaya Dasam/samples of fresh harvest are brought into the Mutt in gold palanquin from the fields nearby and worshipped. Every pillar and door is adorned with a small bunch of the corn. This corn is also cooked and served to the Swamijis and other invited guests. In the evening a procession is taken out of the Math to Kadiyali, a place nearby, where puja is offered to Shami plant (a relic of the ancient custom).

Paschima Jagarana Puja

This special puja takes place every morning for one month from Ashwayuja Shuddha Ekadasi till Kartika Shuddha Dwadasi. After the nirmalya visarjana puja which is the first puja in the morning, special offerings of beaten rice, jaggery, coconuts, plantains and betel leaves are made and mangalarathi is raised. The same arathi is brought outside and raised once again before the God, then raised before Tulasi plant, Sri Mukhyaprana, Sri Madhwacharya and Sri Garuda. This puja is performed by the Paryaya Swamier himself. Before the commencement of the puja, various types of musical instruments are played for about 15 minutes each. In the end ail the instruments are played together and the musicians go round the Math seven times. A separate set of people carry on bhajan throughout this period.

Deepavali (Balindra Puja)

This festival comes off in the month of October or November. On the thirteenth day of the dark half of Ashwayuja, puja is offered to water. Next morning at moon rise, a pooja offering oil to Krishna is performed. After this the Swamiers and other members take their oil bath. On the New Moon day, puja is offered to the image of Ball which is artistically drawn on the ground in front of the gopuram. A large number of wick lamps are lighted on this occasion. On the next day puja is offered to the cows of the Math after they are washed, decorated and fed with special sweets etc. Then, the cows are taken in a procession round the Car Street.

Laksha Deepotsava

From the first day in the month of Kartika till dwadashi, a special puja is offered to the Tulasi plant after the ratri puja every night. The Tulasi Vrindavan is decorated in the form of a mantapam of plantain tree trunk in a very artistic way every day. After the puja there is a programme of 'Sankeertana. On the dwadasi day, Tulasi puja takes place in the morning after Mahapuja. In the afternoon a special Ksheerabdhi puja takes place for the deities of Sri Krishnapur, Sri Puttige and Sri Kaniyoor Maths if they happen to be in the Sri Krishna Math, at the mantapam in Madhwasarovara.
At night, after the puja, at a very auspicious moment, after special prayers and offering of gifts in propitiation of Navagrahas, the Utsava Murthi is taken out in gold palanquin and 'teppotsava' is conducted in the Madhwasarovar in a special mantapam built on boats. After this, chariot festival takes place. The whole street is lit up by tiny wick lamps in earthenware dishes which are kept in many tiers on special scaffoldings on both sides of the Car Street all round. Such lights run into lakhs and hence the name 'laksha deepa' for this utsava. The utsava takes place every night for four days upto Poornima. After the utsava, the cradle puja takes place in the Vasanta Mahal. For these utsavas, the medium size and small size chariots are used. In the medium chariot are kept the deities of Sri Krishna and Mukyaprana. Anantheshwara and Chandramouleswar deities are kept in the small chariot.

Subrahmanya Shasti

On this day celebration consists of special puja in the Sri Subrahmanya gudi, Chariot Utsava during morning and mass feeding of brahmins at noon. A car festival for Lord Krishna takes place at night and mantapapuja is held in Subrahmanya Gudi.

Dhanupuja

Every day throughout the month of Dhanu, a special puja takes place at dawn. Pongal and many other sweets are prepared as an offering for this puja which is later on served to a few invited people.

Gurusamaradhana

The paryaya Swamiers celebrate the aradhana or death anniversary of their immediate gurus on a grand scale. Mass feeding of thousands of brahmins is undertaken on this occasion, preparation for which, (such as cutting of vegetables etc.) commences even on the previous night with the help of members of all the other Mutts. At night there is chariot festival (if it is outside the four months of monsoon).
Mass feeding on a very huge scale takes place on Gurusamaradhana, Madhwanavami, Choomotsava, last day of the outgoing and the first day of the incoming paryaya days and on these occasions there is usually good co-operation among the members of eight Maths and other Brahmins in serving and in looking after other arrangements in connection with this feeding. 

Daily Puja System of Udupi Sri Krishna

The day's activity commences exactly at 4 a.m. with the blowing of the conch and the beating of the 'Nagari' in the gopuram outside the Mutt premises. With this the Swamiars and other employees of the Mutt wake up, attend to their ablutions and take their bath. With the ringing of the bells outside, they open the door of the garbhagriha. Then they open the door of the inner room to the beating of 'Jaghante.' The assistants get things ready for the early morning puja and take the Utsava Murthi to the Madhwasarovara and give it a bath by pouring water over it. Cooks start on the preparation of Rice, Payasam and Dosas for Naivedya. Other assistants start on the grinding of sandal paste for the puja.
(The Karnataka Government sends a little more than 4 tons of sandal wood every year for this purpose.)

Nirmalya Visarjana

By about 5 a.m. the Swamiyar having completed his daily japa and tarpana commences the first puja. After removing the decorations, ornaments, apparel, flowers and tulasi of the previous day, the idol is bathed and bedecked with Tulasi garland. Soaked Bengal gram, Curd and Beaten rice, Jaggery, Ginger, Coconuts, plantains and betel leaves are offered as naivedyam and the puja is performed as per instructions laid down in Tantrasara.

Ushahkala Puja

Immediately after this, the next puja commences. Holy water for the God's abhishekha which is stored in silver vessels is then worshipped and with that water, the idol is bathed again and bedecked with Tulasi, flowers and sandal paste. Pots of cooked rice, coconuts, plantains, curds, milk, betel leaves are again offered for naivedyam and mangalarathi is raised to the accompaniment of pipe music.

Go-Puja

After this, an offering of puffed rice, ordinary rice and jaggery is made to the God and another arathi is raised to the God. The same arathi is raised to a Cow also and this offering of puffed rice, jaggery etc. is distributed to the cows which crowd inside the mutt at this time everyday.

Panchamrita Puja

After this, the balaroopa decoration of the Lord is removed and to the accompaniment of recitation of the three Vedas and the music of pipes, drums, nagari etc., an abhishekha in gold coins is performed and a mangalarathi is raised. Then the idol is bathed with ghee, milk, curd, honey and jaggery one after the other. It is then bathed with tender coconut water and bedecked with Tulasi and flower garland, Sandal paste etc., and after the usual offerings of pots of cooked rice etc., mangalarathi is raised. Beating of the nagari indicating this abishekha starts even 15 minutes before the commencement of the abhishekha. Small portions of these Panchamritha abhishekha material are sent to Sri Mukhyaprana and Sri Subrahmanya temples for their abhishekha.

Udvartana Puja

The idol is then bathed in perfumed water and cleaned of all greasy matter by washing it with green gram flour. Offerings of tender coconuts, milk and butter are made and a mangalarathi is raised. Again the idol is bathed in water from silver Kalasha and bedecked with Tulasi, flowers and sandal paste. Offerings of coconuts, plantains, milk, curds, pots of cooked rice are made and mangalarathi is raised.

Kalasha Puja

Thereafter, in front of the idol, Kalasha puja is performed to gold vessels full of water. The offering of cooked rice of this puja is re-offered to Garuda and then thrown into the Madhwasarovar as a feed for the fish.

Theertha Puja

The holy water from the gold vessel is used for the main abhisheka. The idol is then dried with a clean piece of cloth and bedecked with tulasi garlands, flowers and Sandal paste. Offerings of cooked rice, payasam, dosai, coconuts, plantains, betel leaves etc. are made and mangalarathi is raised. The holy water from this abhisheka is available as theertha for the devotees and hence this puja is known as theertha puja. The offerings of this puja are re-offered to Sri Mukyaprana and served to brahmins in the general dining hall (Bhojana shaja).

Alankara Puja

The idol is then decorated with various gold ornaments and laced silk apparel and bedecked with tulasi and flowers in a very attractive way. This decoration time is indicated by the continuous beating of nagari outside. Offerings of pots of cooked rice, sweets, laddu, milk, curds, coconuts, bananas and betel leaves are made and to the singing of hymns and songs by the mutt musicians, mangalarathi is raised. This puja is known as alankara puja. On Fridays and during Navarathri festival, the idol is decorated in feminine form. On other auspicious occasions, the decorations take the form of many avatars of the lord depicting some puranic or mythological incidents. In fact, this decoration of the idol which is in a most attractive way is one of the peculiarities of this math. The offerings of this puja are served to guests in the Mrishtana pankti

Avasara Puja

This puja is also known as Sanakadi puja, After making the usual offerings of cooked rice, coconuts etc, arathi is raised.

Maha Puja

Mahapuja or the most important puja of the day follows immediately after Avasara Puja. It is performed by the Paryaya Swamiyar himself who starts with the usual offering of sandal paste, Tulasi and flowers to the God to the recitation of Brahmasutra, Vishnusahasranama, Krishnastotra etc. Then the naivedya articles such as pots of cooked rice, many varieties of sweets and eatables, payasam, panchakajjaya, laddu, coconuts, plantains, betel leaves etc. are placed before the God. The Swamiji then comes outside and closes the door of the sanctuary. It is believed that Sri Madwacharya himself makes the offereings to God and worships Him. At this time pipe music goes on and drums and nagaries beat ; Math musicians sing bhajans and Dwadasa Stotra; purohits perform a homa called Anuyaga in a room nearby and brahmins are fed in Mrishtanna. After some time Swamiji goes in and performs many mangalarathis. At this time two country guns are fired as signal of this puja. People in the neighbourhood come to know from this that Lord Krishna's Mahapuja is going on and pious people usually take their meal only after this.
The beating of the nagari is different for Panchamrita, Alankara and Mahapuja and a trained ear can always find out from this which puja is going on at any particular time and come to the Mutt accordingly.
Barring the Kalasa puja, the other nine pujas described above are performed to Lord Sri Krishna during day time. Of these the Paryaya Swamier has to do personally the Pancharmrita puja, Avasarapuja and Mahapuja. In any case Avasara puja and Mahapuja are to be performed by the Paryaya Swamier himself. Other pujas can be performed by Swamies of any of the other Maths who generally stay in Udupi to assist the Paryaya Swamier.
The Swamies then performs Uttarapuja and dedicating all the morning pujas to the God, comes out to perform the puja of Sri Mukhyaprana. At this time Vedic hymns are chanted and Keertanas are sung.

Sri Mukhyaprana Puja

The naivedyams offered to Sri Krishna during the Mahapuja are reoffered to Sri Mukhyaprana and the paryayam Swamier performs mangalarathi. Besides, the Swamiers who perform the other pujas of Sri Krishna also raise arathies for Sri Mukhyaprana and Sri Madhwacharya.

Sri Madhwacharya Puja

Then the Paryaya Swamier comes to the idol of Sri Madhwacharya and making the same offering of Sri Krishna's Naivedya, performs a puja.

Simhasana Puja

Then he comes to Simhasana and making the usual offerings to the gods there, raises a mangalarathi.

Pradakshina Namaskara

Then as the chanting of hymns, playing of music and singing of songs are going on, the Swamier goes round the idol four times and after namaskaram or prostration, proceeds to the Madhwasarovar where he offers oblations to the departed souls of his line. After performing the puja of Goddess Bhagirathi and throwing the offerings to the tank as a feed for the the fish, he proceeds to the Vrindavan.
He then worships the vrindavana of this ancestors and after going round the Ashwatha tree, returns to Simhasana. There cows are fed. This is known as Gograsa.
In the simhasana, he takes his seat on a raised platform which is reputed to be the original seat of Sri Madwacharya. He then distributes Teertha, tulasi and sandal paste to all the Swamiers assembled there in the order of seniority and also to all the invited guests. Sri Madhwavijaya is recited on the occasion. Then he proceeds to the dinning hall called chouki and when every one is seated and served, he commences his meals. A sumptuous meal is served here to all the invitees. During meal time,- portions of Ramayana purana is read by a pandit and translated into Kannada. After meals the Parayaya Swamier comes back to Simhasana, takes teertha and nirmalya, and going round the idol completes his work for the noon.
In the general dining hall, after all people and students are fed, the left over is given to bairagees and beggars. Nagari is beaten to indicate the time once at 12 noon and again at 6 P.M.

Chamara seva

At about 7 P.M. every night the Paryayam Swamier himself perfoms this puja after his evening bath, tarpana and japa. The puja is offered to sacred books, shaligram and a vigraha which are kept on a peeta on the mantapam in front of the idol of Sri Krishna. The Swamier starts the puja with the Chamaraseva with two gold chamaras. Pipe music goes on at this time. Math musicians sing Keertanas. Two boys holding gold sticks (dandas) keep on waving green silk cloth on either side. Two huge basket full of puffed rice, jaggery, coconut, laddus, betel etc. are offered for naivedyam. Two big torches burn on either side. A mangalarathi is raised first for the Lord, then the same thing is raised to Sri Mukhyaprana. Then he worships the god inside Simhasana. Beating of nagari commences outside indicating that the next puja is about to begin.

Ratri puja

Some other Swamier, by this time gets ready for the next puja after his bath and daily tarpana and japa. He worships the God by floral and tulasi offerings, The naivedyam consists of pots of cooked rice, ghee, jaggery, tender coconut and milk. A number of mangalarathi is raised on this occasion as the music and chanting of hymns continues.

Ranga puja

After this, four pots of panchakajjaya are spread on plantain leaves in a line in front of Sri Mukyaprana. Rows of wick lamps are lighted on either side and mangalarathi is raised. After Sri Madhwacharya's puja, the Utsava murthi is kept in a palanquin and taken outside if there is any chariot Utsavam. Otherwise it is taken round the Math in the inside itself and kept on a silver cradle fixed in the mantapam. With the usual offering, a mangalarathi is raised as green silk "cloth on either side is waved by dandadharies and chamaras are waved. Bhaktas engage themselves in Sankeertana. Then the singing of ashtaka songs and recitations from scriptures Continues for some time. After this, mangalarathi is raised to the Swamiers on important occasions manthrakshata is distributed by the Swamier to the assembled persons. The Utsava murthi is then placed in the palanquin and taken round the Math slowly to the sweet music from the flute and again a mangalarathi is raised as Uttarapuja.

Ekantaseva

Inside the garbhagudi\s a golden cradle with a silken bed in it. The murthi is kept in it. Puffed rice, laddu, milk, fruits and betels are offered; scents and perfume are offered; arathi is raised and lullaby is sung thus putting the god to sleep. The Paryaya Swamier then honours the other Swamiers present, with sandal paste, sandalwood oil and flowers and thus completes the day's work. The blowing of a conch indicates that all the daily rituals have been completed. 

SRI LAKSHMI VENKATESHA TEMPLE, UDUPI

India is a land of temples. It is said that, Indian is a born philosopher. To this perhaps it may be added that Gowda Saraswath Brahmin is a born worshipper. It is because of this attitudinal inherence the Gowda Saraswats on their exodus from Goa constructed Temples wherever they settled. This was to meet the cultural, social and spiritual needs independently. The settlers in and around Udupi, thus were compelled, being anxious and enthusiastic to construct a temple at Udupi. As if by God's grace at this juncture the gift of land by late Smt. Kaveri Amma alias Sathyabhama Amma (Sridevi Nayak) through an endowment deed on 11.7.1883 was of great avail. By the gift it was intended that Pooja (scriptural form of worship) to her family Deity "Sri Narasimha" be performed on installation at the proposed temple along with the temple Deity. For this purpose she gifted two sets of properties to meet the expenses of Poojas to "Sri Narasimha" and the temple Deity separately.
The names of the 9 members of GSB Community articulated in the original gift deed of Smt. Kaveri Amma are:

1.   Sri Chinivartha Ananthayya Shanbhag - Shroff and Land Lord

2.   Sri Ananthayya alias Sheshagiri Pai - Land Lord and Merchant

3.   Sri Ammembal Krishna Pai - Advocate

4.   Sri Kumble Subba Rao - Advocate

5.   Sri Vasudeva Prabhu - Advocate

6.   Sri Haradi Upendra Pai - Taluk Supervisor

7.   Sri Krishna Padiyar - Merchant and Land Lord

8.   Sri Manjunatha Anantha Baliga - Land Lord

9.   Sri Shroff Venkat Rao - Shroff.

Later these became the hereditary trustees vested with powers of construction and administration of the Temple. They being ardent devotees of Lord Venkatesha, with the assistance and co-operation of the members of the community and also of a group of dedicated and devoted volunteers, expeditious construction of a Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbha Griha) made of granite stone and copper plated roof was accomplished. For this the foundation stone had been laid by H.H. Srimad Bhuvanendra teertha Swamiji of Sri Samsthan Kashi Math. The idol of Sri Venkatesha was got sculpted by the then celebrated sculptor of Karkala Sri Laxman Shanbhag. Standing on a one foot pedestal the idol is of 3 feet height. The serenity of beauty on the countenance is divinely spectacular. The hinder arms holding conch and disc (chakra) and the frontal arms showing assurance of security (Abhayahasta) and the other scretched upto knee (depicting that the ocean of life will be knee deep to His worshippers) The installation ceremony of the idol was performed by Srimad Varadendra Thirtha Swamiji of Sri Kashi Math on 29.4.1896 (Shalivahana Era - 1818), "Durmukhi Samvat", "Vaishakha" month - 2nd of dark half) with the participation of thousands of devotees. Srimad Varadendra Thirtha blessed the congregation and predicted that the temple will acquire unexampled prominence and will foster enormous spiritual advancement in future. The enchanting "Namaskara Slokam" (the verse describing utmost obeisance) composed by the scholarly Srimad Varadendra Swamiji is on the pillar on the left hand side of the sanctorum. This supplicatory verse eulogises Lord Venkatesha as the God of Gods and destroyer of sins and can be deciphered in its replicated form, rendered in a very intelligent manner. The script of the verse is Kannada and language is Sanskrit and is as follows:

Srimad Varadendra Teertha camped at the temple after the installation ceremony and regulated the routine of the temple. His Holiness selected suitable priests from respectable families and entrusted them with the daily Pooja duties.

Routine of the Temple: The temple doors are opened at 6.00 AM.
1) At 7.00 a.m. the first pooja namely "Nairmalya Visarjana pooja" is performed. "Naivedya" of "Payasa" etc is offered to the Deity during this pooja.
2) At 10.00 a.m. "Panchamritha Abhisheka" is performed.
3) The midday and main pooja is at 12.45 P.M. At the time of this pooja a 9 1/2 seers of rice will be offered as "Naivedya" (this is presently increased to 12.75 seers of rice along with other dishes)The temple remains closed thereafter.
Once again at 6.00 P.M. the door will open and night "Pooja" will be at 8.30 P.M. Temple remains closed till next morning. Systematic performance of worship along with other prescribed periodic festivals conducted with faith and devotion of the priests spread the reputation of the temple.

Temples in Udupi

Udupi is one of the few pilgrim centres, which have, through centuries, sought to preserve the hoary Vedic culture and Vedantic philosophy of India, along with Sanskrit learning and educational enterprises founded on its cultural base.
PARASHURAMA KSHETRA
The strip of land between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, ranging from Nasik to Kanyakumari, is known as the "Parashurama Kshetra" (Holy land of Parashurama). Hindu epics narrate a legend as to how sage Parashurama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, reclaimed this piece of land from the sea.
Historical accounts of Parashurama Kshetra mention sub-divisions of this region, such as the Maratha, Konkana, Tuluva and Kerala. The coastal strip lying between Gokarna and Payaswini (Perumpula) river of  Kerala State was known as Tuluva land or Tulu Nadu. Udupi, described in traditional religious literature as "Rajata Peetha" or "Ruupya Peetha", is deemed to be one of the seven holy places of Tulu Nadu, the other places being Subramanya, Kumbhasi, Koteshwara, Shankaranarayana, Kollur and Gokarna.

EARLIER TEMPLES
The name 'UDUPI' is the modern kannada version of 'ODIPU' which is the ancient name of this place in Tulu language. The Sanskrit name "Rajata Peetha" means a silver seat. This name is associated with the ancient Anantheswara Temple of Udupi, where a legendary king called Ramabhoja is believed to have worshipped Lord Parashurama in the form of a Shiva Linga, which manifested itself on a silver seat offered by the king for the purpose of worship. Shiva worshipped in this temple, in the one and the same symbol of a Shiva linga. Hence, the deity of this temple is called Anantheswara.

Language

Tulu is the most widely spoken languages in Udupi City. Other languages spoken here include Konkani, Kannada and Beary bashe, apart from Hindi and English.

Transportation

National Highway 66 passes through Udupi. Other significant roads include the State Highways to Karkala and Dharmastala and to Shimoga and Srinari. The NH-66 provides a link to Mangalore and Karwar via Kundapur. Private as well as government buses connect Udupi to various parts of Karnataka. Udupi has a railway station on the Konkan Railway. The nearest international airport to Udupi is Mangalore (Bajpe) Airport, which is 50p;km away.
City and suburban transport is available for travel within Udupi and suburbs. The buses originate from the suburban bus stand (City Bus Stand). There are different route numbers.
The nearest harbour/port to Udupi is Malpe, which is 5 km away, and Gangoli (Kundapur), which is 36 km away. The New Mangalore Port/Harbour is 50 km away from Udupi.
Udupi Railway Station is managed by the Konkan Railways. It is about 2 km from Udupi town and is on the Thiruvananthapuram-Mumbai rail route. Direct trains are available to Mumbai, Delhi, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. Traveling north, Kundapura Railway Station is the nearest main station.

Art and culture

Bhuta Kola, Aati kalenja, Karangolu, and Nagaradhane are some of the cultural traditions of Udupi. The residents celebrate festivals such as Diwali, Dusshera and Christmas. Folk arts like Yakshagana are also popular.
Rathabeedhi Geleyaru, a local non-profit organisation, was founded to encourage creative pursuits, especially those that keep alive the traditions of the region. Its primary focus has been drama.

Festivals

There are several festivals during which huge crowds of locals as well as outsiders gather in Udupi.
During the biennial Paryaya festival the temple management is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who will be in charge of the temple during his Paryaya. The Paryaya is held on 18 January on the even years (like 2010, 2012 and so on), starting early in the morning at around 3 AM. During this festival there are tableaus from various groups which gather in Udupi. Festivals like Makara Sankranthi, Ratha Sapthami, Madhva Navami, Hanuma Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Navarathi Mahotsava, Madhva Jajanti (Vijaya Dashami), Naraka Chathurdashi, Deepavali, Geetha Jayanthi etc. are celebrated very grandly by Paryaya Mutt every year.
Krishna Janmashtami is held every year. During this festival groups of men wear "Pili Vesha (Tulu)/Huli vesha (Kannada)" Tiger costume and other costumes. They visit and collect donations from shops and houses around Udupi with a lot of enthusiasm among the participants and general public.
Bhajana Saptaha which is held in Sri Laxmi Venkatesh Temple. Saptaha means one week. During this time Bhajans are sung continuously day and night for 7 days. This event takes place every year during August.
Rathothsava (Chariot festival) is held in almost all occasions around Rathabeedi. During this time the ratha (chariot) of Lord Krishna is pulled by locals around Rathabeedi.

Other places of interest

• The ancient temples of Ananteshvara and Chandramaulishvara.
• The Ambalpadi Devi temple and the Kadiyali Mahishamardini. T
• The Rashtrakavi Govinda Pai Research Centre museum in the M.G.M. College premises.
• Karkala Jain temples and Bahubali statue
• Moodabidri Jain temples

       Cuisine

The term Udupi (also Udipi) is also synonymous with delicious vegetarian food now found all over world (see Udupi cuisine). The origin of this cuisine is linked to Krishna Matha (Mutt). Lord Krishna is offered food of different varieties every day, and there are certain restrictions on ingredients during Chaturmasa (a four-month period during the monsoon season). These restrictions coupled with the requirement of variety led to innovation, especially in dishes incorporating seasonal and locally available materials. This cuisine was developed by Shivalli Madhwa Brahmins who cooked food for Lord Krishna, and at Krishna Matha in Udupi, the food is provided free. Restaurants specialized in Udupi cuisine can be seen widely in most metropolitan and large cities around the length and breadth of India.

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...)                                                                                                                              

(My humble  salutations to the great devotees ,  wikisources  and Pilgrimage tourist guide for the collection