In this Krishna Temple, you can catch a glimpse of the Lord through a window

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Mumbai: We have a number of ancient temples in India dedicated to Lord Krishna. Each temple has a distinct history and significance. Among the countless number of Krishna temples, the one in Udupi finds a special mention.

What is special about this temple is that the idol of Sri Krishna has to be viewed through a window with nine holes referred to as the Navagraha Kitiki.

According to a legend associated with this tradition, people started worshipping the idol through the window ever since a great devotee of the Lord named Kanakadasa, viewed the moorti through a crack developed because of an earthquake.

How it all happened?

Kanakadasa stayed in a makeshift hermitage right in front of the Krishna Matha. Once, at night, because of an earthquake, the outer wall of the temple cracked in such a manner that Kanakadasa could clearly view the idol through it. Hence, in remembrance of the great saint, the tradition is being followed till date.

This is known as Kanakanakhindi. Another small window covering the moorti from the front is called Navagraha Kitiki.

No artificial light is used to illuminate the Garbha Griha. Brass lamps lit up the sanctum sanctorum thereby letting the devotees catch a mesmerising glimpse of Krishna’s idol.

The Udupi Krishna temple is in the heartland of the beautiful coastal town in Karnataka. This is the place where Sri Madhavacharya, the founder of Dwaita Philosophy, was born. It is believed that the saint found the idol of the Lord in a ship that he miraculously saved with his divine powers from a destructive storm near Malpe.