Ashta Mutt 's of Udupi Sree Krishna

                         

Kaniyoor Mutt

When we come out of Sri Krishna Mutt and start going round the Car Street towards the East we come across the Kaniyur Mutt. The main branch of this Mutt is in the Kaniyour Village and hence that name. The original pontiff of this Mutt Sri Rama Tirtha was gifted with an idol of Yoga Narasimha of four hands seated on swastik symbol. The idol has sankha and cakra in two hands and the remaining two hands are placed on laps. The present swamiji Sri Vidya Vvarinidhi Tirtha is the 29th pontiff in the line. He was initiated when he was 11 years in the year 1942. vaisaakha bahula sasthi of Chitrabhanu samvatsara.

Sode Mutt

This is located in the Southeast corner of the Car Street. Before the time of Vadhiraja the main village branch of this Mutt was in Kumbhasi village. Hence it was known as Kumbhasi Mutt. Arasappa Navak of Sode honoured Vadiraja Swamiji by gifting land properties at Sode. Vadriraja Swamiji constructed a big Mutt there and renamed this Mutt as Sode Mutt. The main branches of all seven Mutts are in the villages of South Kanaka. But that of Sode Mutt alone is in the North Kanaka District.

The original pontiff of this Mutt started worshipping the idol of Bhuvaraha. Gifted by Sri Madhvacharya. The idol is known for its remarkable iconography with Bhuudeevi on one thigh and the other leg supporting on the hood of serpent. Along with Bhuvaraha idol of the personal god of Vadiraja namely Hayagriya is also worshipped. Sri Hayagriva is the presiding deity of knowledge and accordingly the idol has in hand the mudra of knowledge, book, rosary and conch. The 35th pontiff in the lineage Sri Vishvottama Tirtha Swamiji is the present head of the Mutt. He was initiated into the order at the age of 9 in the year 1943, the bhaadrapada suddha caturthi in the samvtsara svabhaaun.

Puttige Mutt

Next to Sode Mutt in the southern portion of the Car Street is Puttige Mutt. The main branch of this Mutt is in the village by name Puttige. The idol of Vithal with Rukmini and Satvabhama gifted to the first pontiff Sri Upendra Tirtha by the Acharya Madhva is worshipped here. The idol has a smiling face with conch in one hand. The other hand with abhaya mudra is placed on the waist. Since other two Mutts also have the idol of Vithala, the idol of this Mutt is known as Upendra Cvithala to distinguish this from the other idols as the one worshipped by the pontiff Upendra tirtha. The 29th swamiji in the lineage sri Sugunendra tirtha is the present pontiff. He was initiated into the order at the age of 13 on the 8th April, 1974.

Admar Mutt

Adamar Mutt is located in the South West corner of the car Street. The main branch of this Mutt is in the village known as Adamar.

The Acharya Madhva had gifted an idol of Kaliyamardana Krishna with four arms to Sri Narasimha (Narahari) Tirtha, the original swamiji of this Mutt. The idol depicts Lord Krishna with one leg on the serpent and with the other leg lifted up in a dancing pose. One hand is bent in a dancing pose and the other is holding the tail of the serpent. The other two hands are decorated with conch and the cakra.

Pejavur Mutt

By the side of admar Mutt in the western portion of the Car Street is Pejavar Mutt. The main branch of this Mutt is in the village by name Pejavar.

The idol worshipped here is that of Vithal with Sri Devi and Bhuu Devi gifted to the founder pontiff Sri Adhokshaja Tirtha by Sri Madhvacharya. This idol with its one hand placed on hips is also known as Aja Vithala to distinguish it from the other idols of Vithala. The idol worshipped by Adhokshaja Tirtha is rightly called Aja Vithala. Along with this, the idol of Sri Rama of Kanvatirtha is also worshipped. This is the idol worshipped by Sri Vijayadhvaja Tirtha.

Sri Vishvesha tirtha the 33rd pontiff in the lineage is the present swamiji. HE was initiated in his 8th year in 1938 (Bahudhaanya samvatsar Maargasiira Suddha dasami.)

He has initiated a junior swamiji to the order. His name is Sri Vishvavijya Tirtha. He was initiated in his 16th year in 1979 (siddhaarthi samvatsara vaisaakha suddha saptami)

Palimar Mutt

Beyond Sri Pejawar Mutt in the western Car Street there is Palimar Mutt by the side of the Kanakadasa Road. The chief branch of this Mutt is in the Palimar village.

The idol of Kodanda Rama with Lakshmana and Sita gifted by the Acharya Madhva to the first pontiff Sri Hrshikesha Tirtha is worshipped here. The idols of Rama and Lakshmana have bows and arrows in hands whereas that of Sita has lotus in hand. The 29th swamiji in the lineage Sri Vidyamanya Tirtha is the present pontiff. In the year 1969 the then Swamiji of Palimar Mutt renounced his seat and the swamiji of Sri Bhandarkeri Mutt accepted it and continuous to be in charge of both the Mutts. He has now initiated two junior swamijis for both the mutts under his charge; The junior swamiji of Palimar Mutt, Sri Vidhyadhisha Tirtha was initiated at the age of 24 years in the year 1979. (siddhaarthi samvatsara jyeestha suddha navami.)

Krishna Mutt

Sri Krishna Mutt is located in the northern side of the Car Street. The main branch of this mutt is in the village Krishnapura.

The idol of Kaliyamardana Krishna of two shoulders, gifted by the Acharya Madhva to the first pontiff Sri Janardana Tirtha of this Mutt is worshipped here. The idol has an attractive pose of child Krishna with his one leg on serpent Kalinga and another leg lifted up and holding the tail of the serpent in his left hand. The right hand has the mundra of abhaya to those who are afraid of the poison. At the request of Sri Janardana Tirtha the Acharya had given another idol of Ugra Narasimha also which has the pose of Narasimha keeping Hiranyakashipu on his laps and tearing away his intestines. Two hands operate at the chest of the enemy and the remaining six hands hold various weapons. At the foot of this
Eight-handed ferocious Narasimha is the tiny Prahlada standing with folded hands.

The 35th pontiff in the lineage Sri Vidyasagra Tirtha is the present chief of this Mutt. He was initiated in May 1970.

Shirur Mutt

To the east of Sri Krishna Mutt in front of the Kanaka’s shrine is located the Shirur Mutt. The main branch of this Mutt is in the village Shirur.

The idol of Vithala with Sri Devi and Bhudevi gifted by the Acharya to the first pontiff Sri Varmana Tirtha of this Mutt is worshipped here. To distinguish this Vithala from the other idols of Vithala, the name Varma Vithala is given to this idol.

The 30th pontiff in the lineage Sri Lakshmivara Tirtha is the present chief of this Mutt. He was initiated at the age of 8 years in june 1971.