Udupi Sri Krishna Matha

Founded in the 13th century by the philosopher-saint Madhvacharya, founder of Dvaita (dualist) Vedanta, the Udupi Krishna Matha is unusual for its darshan arrangement: devotees view the image of child Krishna not frontally but through the Kanakana Kindi, a small silver-filigree window on the temple's rear, in commemoration of the low-caste devotee-poet Kanakadasa, to whom legend says the idol turned when barred from entering. Eight surrounding mathas (monasteries) rotate ritual custodianship every two years in the Paryaya ceremony, a unique institutional structure in Indian temple administration. The silver-clad gopuram and chariots reflect the wealth of the Udupi Vaishnava tradition, which also gave South India its signature vegetarian cuisine.