Udupi, on the coast of Karnataka near Mangaluru, is home to the Sri Krishna Matha, the temple that Sri Madhvacharya founded in the thirteenth century, where you see Lord Krishna through a silver window called the Navagraha Kindi.
Your darshan is free, and so is your meal in the temple dining hall. You book sevas in your name on the official Matha channel. The temple is run in turn by the eight Ashta Mathas of Udupi, so the head changes every two years in the Paryaya. You book on the official channel, not on a reseller.
Free darshan and the Kanakana Kindi
- Your darshan of Lord Krishna is free and open to all.
- You see the deity through the famous silver window, the Navagraha Kindi, and through the Kanakana Kindi, the window linked to the saint Kanakadasa.
- For a shorter wait you can book a Sheegra Darshana on the official channel, and you can book special sevas.
[The exact seva and quick-darshan types and amounts are shown on the official channel. Last checked 14 September 2026.]
Free meal and sevas
The Matha serves a free meal, the annadana, to every visitor in its dining hall, a famous part of the Udupi experience, and Udupi is the home of Udupi cuisine. On the official channel you book sevas and poojas in your name, such as the Suvarna Ratha and other offerings. You pay on the official channel and keep your confirmation, then present it at the temple.
The Paryaya
The special thing about Udupi is the Paryaya. The eight Ashta Mathas of Udupi take turns to run the Krishna temple, and every two years the charge passes to the next Swamiji in a grand ceremony, the Paryaya Mahotsava, held usually in January. If you visit in a Paryaya year, the town fills for the handover. So check the current Paryaya Matha before you plan a seva, because the managing Matha changes.
How to visit, step by step
Reach Udupi by road or rail from Mangaluru, about 60 km away. Join the free darshan queue and see Lord Krishna through the Navagraha Kindi. Eat the free annadana meal in the dining hall. For a quick darshan or a seva in your name, book on the official channel through krishnamatha.org and carry your confirmation. Dress modestly, as the temple asks you to, and keep your belongings safe in the crowd.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying a private site for a darshan that is free. Book a seva or a quick darshan only on the official channel through krishnamatha.org. Next, do not skip the free meal, which is part of the Udupi visit. Do not miss the nearby Chandramouleshwara and Anantheshwara temples in the same complex. Do not forget to check which Ashta Matha holds the current Paryaya.
Questions people ask
Is Udupi Krishna darshan free?
Yes, your darshan is free, and so is your meal in the temple dining hall. You pay only for a seva or a quick darshan.
What is the official Udupi website?
krishnamatha.org, the official site of the Sri Krishna Matha, run by the Ashta Mathas in the Paryaya. Nothing else is the Matha.
What is the Navagraha Kindi?
The silver window through which you see Lord Krishna, the famous way to take darshan at Udupi.
What is the Paryaya?
The two-yearly handover when the charge of the temple passes between the eight Ashta Mathas of Udupi, usually in January.
Can I book a seva online?
Yes, you book sevas and a quick darshan on the official channel through krishnamatha.org.