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Udupi Paryaya: the night the Krishna Matha changes hands
Before dawn, the keys of a temple pass to a new monastery as the town stays awake
Paryaya is the handover of the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha from one of the eight Ashta Mathas to the next. It happens once every two years, in even-numbered years, before dawn on 18 January: the incoming swami is carried in procession through the town and the outgoing swami hands him the Akshaya Patra and the keys of the shrine. Next Paryaya: 17–18 January 2028 (expected).
The date is fixed; the incoming matha's preparatory rites and the Udupi district traffic plan in the days before give the hour-by-hour programme.
The legend
In the 13th century the philosopher Madhvacharya founded the Krishna Matha in Udupi and set up eight monasteries around it, each led by a disciple.
He gave the right to worship Krishna to the swamis of all eight mathas in turn. At first the turn changed every two months.
Swami Vadiraja of the Sodhe Matha stretched the term to two years, and the handover became a grand festival. Udupi has since seen over 250 paryayas.
So before dawn on 18 January of each even year the new swami ascends the Sarvajna Peetha, and the outgoing one hands over the Akshaya Patra, ladle and shrine keys.
Meaning
Paired mathas
The eight mathas form four pairs, dvandvas. If the swami on duty falls ill, the swami of the paired matha carries on Krishna's worship.
Customs
A year of preparation
A year ahead the incoming swami plants bananas and tulsi, then lays in rice, firewood and paddy for two years of meals.
A firewood chariot
Firewood for the Matha kitchen is stacked in the shape of a temple chariot. It will cook prasad for every visitor for two years.
Dip at Dandatirtha
At night the incoming swami bathes in the sacred pond at Dandatirtha near Kaup, south of Udupi, and performs puja in the Madhva way.
Palanquin procession
Around 2.30 a.m. the procession sets off from Jodukatte: the swamis ride in palanquins, with performers and plays alongside.
Durbar at Rajangana
After the handover a formal durbar is held in the Rajangana courtyard, open to the public.
A town dressed up
For the paryaya Udupi is decorated so richly that it is said to look like a bride; the streets fill with stalls and a food fair.
Words of the festival
ಪರ್ಯಾಯ
paryaya
"turn": the two-year term when one matha serves Krishna
ಸರ್ವಜ್ಞ ಪೀಠ
Sarvajna Peetha
the seat in the Matha that the new swami ascends
ಅಕ್ಷಯ ಪಾತ್ರೆ
Akshaya Patra
the "inexhaustible vessel" handed down from Madhvacharya and passed on at the paryaya
ಅಷ್ಟ ಮಠ
Ashta Matha
Madhvacharya's eight monasteries in Udupi, also called the Tulu mathas
ಬಾಳೆ ಮುಹೂರ್ತ
Baale Muhurta
"the banana rite", the first step of preparation, a year ahead
True or myth
❌ Myth. Under Madhvacharya the turn changed every two months; the two-year term came later, with Swami Vadiraja.
✅ True. The eight mathas rotate in a fixed order, from Palimaru to Pejavara.
❌ Myth. The Matha lost its lands under the 1975 land reform. Donations now keep it going, and the matha on duty sometimes takes loans.
Where to celebrate
Udupi
Stand on Car Street before dawn on 18 January of an even year as one matha's head swami walks in procession to the Krishna temple and the outgoing swami hands over the Akshaya Patra, the ladle and the shrine keys,…
How the Paryaya night runs
The handover happens inside the Matha before dawn, and the programme around it runs through the night. The timings below are from the most recent Paryaya, when the Shiroor Matha took over from the Puttige Matha; the incoming matha and the Udupi district traffic plan give the exact programme in the days before.
- The eve: concerts in town
On the evening of 17 January, from about 7 pm, public cultural and music programmes run at several places in central Udupi. Karnataka Tourism notes that the town is decorated, with shopping, food festivals and entertainment.
- Around 1.30 am: the sacred dip
The incoming swami bathes in the sacred pond at Dandatirtha near Kaup, south of Udupi, then comes to Jodukatte for puja to his matha's own deity.
- From about 3 am: the palanquin procession
The procession leaves Jodukatte and passes Court Road, Diana Circle, Mitra Junction, Ideal Junction and Thenkapete to Car Street (Rathabeedi). The incoming swami rides in a decorated palanquin, accompanied by the swamis of the other mathas; tableaux, chende drummers, folk dancers, bhajan groups and bands walk alongside.
- Before dawn: the handover
On Car Street the swami prays at the Kanakana Kindi, the Ananteshwara, Chandramouleeswara and Mukhyaprana shrines, then enters the Krishna Matha. He ascends the Sarvajna Peetha (last time at 5.55 am) and receives the Akshaya Patra, the ladle and the shrine keys.
- Evening of 18 January: durbar and chariot
In the evening a public ceremony, the durbar, is held in the Rajangana courtyard of the Matha (5 to 7 pm last time), followed by the Brahma Rathotsava, the chariot procession on Car Street.
The order of the eight mathas
The rotation is fixed: it starts with the Palimaru Matha and ends with the Pejavara Matha, then begins again, so a full cycle takes 16 years and each matha waits 14 years between its terms. The present term belongs to the Shiroor Matha, whose head, Sri Vedavardhana Teertha, took the Sarvajna Peetha for the first time. By the order, the next matha is Sode.
| Order | Matha |
|---|---|
| 1 | Palimaru |
| 2 | Adamaru |
| 3 | Krishnapura |
| 4 | Puttige |
| 5 | Shiroor (current term) |
| 6 | Sode (next) |
| 7 | Kaniyooru |
| 8 | Pejavara |
The eight mathas also form four pairs: if the swami on duty cannot perform the worship, the swami of the paired matha does it for him.
Where to watch
Watching from the street is free. The route is fixed, so pick one point on it.
Jodukatte
The starting point, near the old taluk office. You see the swamis take their places in the palanquins and the procession form up.
Along the route
Court Road, Diana Circle, Mitra Junction, Ideal Junction and Thenkapete: the tableaux and folk troupes pass here on the way to Car Street.
Car Street before dawn
The end of the route, outside the Krishna Matha, where the swami walks to the Matha along a carpet laid down the street.
Rajangana and the evening chariot
The public durbar in the Rajangana courtyard and the Brahma Rathotsava on Car Street are the easiest parts to see if you skip the night.
Planning, etiquette and safety
Paryaya is a religious handover with a street festival around it. Treat the procession and the Matha as worship, not a show.
- Book months ahead — Udupi's hotels fill for Paryaya; Manipal, about 5 km away, and Malpe take the overflow. See where to stay in Udupi.
- Arrive on 17 January — Come by the afternoon of the eve: the town is full by evening. Udupi station (Indrali) is about 3 km from Car Street; Mangaluru airport is about 60 km away. More in how to get to Udupi.
- Dress for the temple — Inside the inner temple of the Krishna Matha men remove their shirts, and jeans, T-shirts and sleeveless or short clothes are refused for everyone. The matha on duty sets the rules, so they can change with the Paryaya; details in the Udupi temple dress code.
- Crowds — Karnataka Tourism says the festival draws thousands of devotees, and Car Street before dawn is the end point of the whole procession. Go with company, agree a meeting point off the route and keep your phone and money in a front pocket. General advice: is India safe.
FAQ
When is the next Udupi Paryaya?
17–18 January 2028 (expected). Paryaya is always held before dawn on 18 January of an even-numbered year, with the procession in the night from the 17th.
What is Paryaya?
Paryaya means "turn". It is the two-year term in which one of the eight Ashta Mathas founded by Madhvacharya runs the worship and administration of the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, and also the festival of the handover between two mathas.
Who is the current and the next Paryaya swamiji?
The current term is held by Sri Vedavardhana Teertha of the Shiroor Matha. By the fixed order the next term goes to the Sode Matha.
How often is Paryaya held?
Every two years. The two-year term goes back to Swami Vadiraja of the Sode Matha; under Madhvacharya the turn changed every two months.
Where does the Paryaya procession start?
At Jodukatte in central Udupi, from about 3 am. It ends on Car Street (Rathabeedi) at the Krishna Matha before dawn.
Can visitors watch the Paryaya?
Yes. The procession runs on public streets and the durbar in the Rajangana is open to the public. Dress modestly and follow the temple rules inside the Matha.
Sources (5)
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.