Udupi, Karnataka, November 28, 2025] – In a grand spiritual congregation that resonated with the chants of 100,000 voices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the historic Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi today. The visit marked a significant cultural milestone as the Prime Minister participated in the ‘Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana’, a mass recitation of the Bhagavad Gita.

The event, organized by the Paryaya Puttige Matha, transformed the temple town into a sea of devotion, with students, monks, and citizens from across the state chanting verses in unison.

Key Highlights of the Visit

During his visit to the 800-year-old shrine established by the Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhvacharya, the Prime Minister inaugurated several key spiritual projects:

• Suvarna Teertha Mantapa: PM Modi inaugurated this newly constructed golden pavilion located in front of the sanctum sanctorum, adding to the architectural grandeur of the Matha.
• Kanaka Kavacha Dedication: In a tribute to the legendary saint-poet Kanaka Dasa, the PM dedicated a Golden Cover (Kanaka Kavacha) for the historic ‘Kanakana Kindi’.
  • History: The ‘Kanakana Kindi’ is a small window through which Lord Krishna is believed to have turned around to give darshan to his devotee Kanaka Dasa, who was denied entry into the temple due to his caste centuries ago.

“A Power of Social Unity”

Addressing the massive gathering, Prime Minister Modi described the chanting of the Gita by one lakh people as a display of India’s “divinity and social unity.” “When one lakh people recite the divine words in one place, the energy released gives new strength to our minds and bodies,” he stated. He also honored the legacy of Sri Madhvacharya, drawing parallels between the spiritual connection of Udupi and Dwarka (Gujarat), both centers of Krishna Bhakti.

Preparations for Paryaya 2026

The visit comes at a crucial time as Udupi prepares for the biennial Paryaya Mahotsava scheduled for January 2026. The district administration has already begun comprehensive infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the millions of devotees expected for the transition of power between the Ashta Mathas (eight monasteries).