The Balakrishna Temple (Karnataka)
The Balakrishna temple is one of the well
visited pilgrimage centers of Karnataka.
The Balakrishna temple at Udupi enshrines
an image of Krishna believed to have been
made by the divine architect Viswakarma.
The Balakrishna Temple (Karnataka) Hindu Temples
This is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Karnataka and is
associated with Madhwacharya the religious leader and the pioneer
of the Dvaita philosophy. This is a small temple and the beautiful
image of Krishna is viewed through a grating called the Navagraha
window. Also in Udupi are the Chandramowliswara and Ananteshwara
Temples.
Legend has it that Krishna's mother Devaki and his wife Rukmini
wished to enjoy his childhood pranks, at the end of the Dwapara
yuga. The divine architect Viswakarma then created this image of
Krishna bearing a churn in his right hand and a string in his left.
Rukmini worshipped this image every day.
After Krishna's departure from this world, Arjuna is believed to
have hidden it, and the image is believed to have gotten covered
with gopi chandanam - a substance similar to sandal paste.
A ship proceding from Dwarka is beleived to have carried this 'lump'
bearing the image of Krishna and as it proceded through the stormy
seas, Madhvacharya sensed the divine cargo, and calmed the storm
and saved the ship. In return, he accepted this lump of a cargo,
and discovered the image of Krishna. Madhva then installed and worshipped
this image at Udupi.
The Balakrishna temple founded by Madhvacharya dates back to the
13th century CE. It is a modest structure enshrining the image of
Balakrishna in a sanctum viewed through a grating referred to as
the Navagraha kindi, which has nine square holes. The Navagraha
window is covered with silver sheets embossed with 24 different
images of Krishna.
To the west of this is the Kanakadasa mandapa. Legend has it that
Krishna's image turned towards the western wall, which had collapsed
to reveal a full darshan of Krishna to Kanakadasa who had earlier
been denied entry into the temple.
There is also a shrine to Chenna Kesava behind the sanctum. Behind
this shrine is the eastern entrance of the sanctum, which is open
only on Vijayadasami. Also in the temple are shrines to Garuda and
Hanuman. Madhva's shrine is situated right next to the sanctum.
There are also shrines to Subramanya and Vaadiraaja in this temple.
Worship: Worship services here begin at 4AM. The worship
services carried out here are the Nirmalya Darshana, Ushatkaala
pooja, Panchamrita pooja, Udvardana pooja, Kalas Pooja, Go Pooja,
Alankar Pooja, Maha Pooja, Brindavana Pooja, Samara Seva, Ranga
Seva, Seeveli Seva and the Ekanta Seva.
Festivals: Makara Sankranti in the month of Makara (January
15) when the sun transits to the zodiac sign of Capricorn, a grand
chariot festival is celebrated - carrying images of Krishna, Chandamouleeswara
and Ananteshwara in procession. This seven day festival involves
a float festival, and another chariot festival the Bhramma Rathotsavam
is celebrated on the 7th day, when the Aaraattu is carried out in
the Madhva Sarovar tank. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated
with great splendour here.
Access and Accomodation: Mangalore
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Hindu Temples in India
temples
Karnataka