Udupi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday visited the historic Kanaka Mantap in Udupi and offered floral tributes to Kirthanakar Kanakadasa, the revered 14th–15th century saint-philosopher. Kanakadasa is associated with the legendary episode of Lord Krishna’s idol turning westward at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, allowing devotees to view the deity through the ‘Kanakana Kindi’.
Participates in ‘Laksha Geeta Pathana’
Later, the Prime Minister took part in the Laksha Geeta Pathana, a mass recitation where more than one lakh devotees chanted verses from the Bhagavad Gita. Students, monks, scholars and citizens from various walks of life participated in the event.
Modi joined the recitation along with Paryaya Puthige Math seer Sugunendra Thirtha, Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, and other dignitaries.
Traditional welcome at Sri Krishna Temple
After paying homage at Kanaka Mantap, Modi proceeded to the Sri Krishna Temple complex, where he received a traditional Poorna Kumbha swagatham. The Prime Minister was presented with a silver-clad Tulasi Japa mala and Mudras bearing symbols of Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma — sacred items used in daily rituals by Madhwas and several Brahmin communities in South India.
He later spent time inside the temple’s sanctum precincts, acknowledging the spiritual legacy of Kanakadasa and the cultural significance of the Math.
Modi recalls Udupi’s political significance
Speaking at the event, Modi said:
“Coming to Udupi is special for me for another reason. Udupi has been a karmabhoomi for the Jana Sangh and for the BJP’s model of good governance. In 1968, the people of Udupi elected our Jana Sangh leader V S Acharya to the municipal council here, and with that, a new foundation of governance was also laid.”
Second visit to Krishna Math
This is Modi’s second visit to the Krishna temple. He had earlier visited in 2008 while serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat — at that time too, Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji was the administrative head of the Krishna Math.