The eight prominent monastic institutions, often referred to as Mathas or mutts, in Udupi, Karnataka, are central to the spiritual and cultural fabric of the region, particularly associated with the worship of Sri Krishna. These are known collectively as the Ashta Mathas (Eight Monasteries).
The Ashta Mathas of Udupi
These eight mutts play a crucial role in the administration and worship at the famous Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. Each mutt is headed by a pontiff, and they take turns managing the temple affairs.
Here are the 8 mutts of Udupi:
| S.No. | Mutt Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Puttige |
| 2 | Palimaru |
| 3 | Adamaru |
| 4 | Shirur |
| 5 | Pejavara |
| 6 | Sodhe |
| 7 | Kaniyuru |
| 8 | Krishnapura |
Significance of the Ashta Mathas
The 'Ashta Mathas' are intrinsically linked to the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple and the Paryaya Utsava. This significant festival marks the biennial transfer of the right to worship Sri Krishna and manage the temple affairs to a new seer from one of these eight mutts. This tradition ensures continuous rotation of the responsibility among the pontiffs, fostering a unique spiritual leadership structure. Each mutt upholds the philosophical traditions of the Dvaita school of thought, as established by Sri Madhvacharya.
