PM Modi hails Udupi’s role in Ram Janmabhoomi movement; offers tributes to 15th-century philosopher Kanakadasa

This is PM's second visit to the Krishna temple. He had visited once in 2008 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a gathering at the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme at Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi. (Screengrab from Video on X @PTI_News)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the role of Karnataka’s Udupi region in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, saying that Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji’s guidance to the temple movement led to flag hoisting at Ram temple in Ayodhya, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing a gathering at the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme at Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi, Modi said, “Coming to Udupi is special for me for another reason. Udupi has been a karmabhoomi (workplace) for the [Bharatiya] Jana Sangh and for the BJP’s model of good governance. In 1968, the people of Udupi elected our Jana Sangh leader VS Acharya to the municipal council here, and with that, a new foundation of governance was also laid.”

“Udupi presented a new governance model five decades ago, guiding national policies… Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji’s guidance to the temple movement decades ago led to flag hoisting at Ram temple in Ayodhya,” Modi told the gathering.

Addressing the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme at Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi. Deeply honoured for the opportunity to be in the presence of the revered sages.
https://t.co/4E53zyQF7B

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2025

“Ram temple has special arch gate dedicated to Udupi’s Sri Madhwacharya,” the PM added.

PM Modi visits Kanaka Mantap

During his visit, the prime minister visited the historic Kanaka Mantap, and offered floral tributes to Kirthanakar Kanakadasa, the 14th-15th century AD saint-philosopher.

Kanakadasa is credited with the mythological episode of Lord Krishna’s idol turning westward at the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple.

Modi then proceeded to the Sri Krishna Temple complex, where he was received with traditional honours by Paryaya Puthige Math seer, Sugunendra Thirtha, along with the Diwan of the Math and senior temple officials, PTI reported.

Modi was honoured with a Poorna Kumbh swagatham (welcome with traditional honours) as he entered the Krishna Math precincts. He was presented with a silver clad Tulasi Japa maala and Mudras containing Shankha, Chakra, Gada, and Padma, which the Madhwas and most of the Brahmin communities bring to use in their routine Pooja rituals in South India, PTI highlighted.

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He spent time inside the sanctum precincts, acknowledging the significance of Kanakadasa’s devotion and the enduring cultural legacy associated with the temple.

In his address, Modi said, “Just three days ago, I was on the sacred land of Kurukshetra where the Gita was born, and today, arriving on this blessed land of Lord Shri Krishna and Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya brings me immense satisfaction. On this occasion, when one lakh people recited the shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita together, people across the world witnessed the profound spiritual heritage and divinity of India.”

This is PM’s second visit to the Krishna temple. He had visited once in 2008 as the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

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