Udupi Festivals: What Happens and When to Visit
From the two-yearly Paryaya handover to the tiger dancers of Vittal Pindi, here are the festivals that fill Udupi’s Car Street, with the months to plan around.
Festivals in Udupi at a glance
Most of Udupi’s big festivals are held at the Sri Krishna Matha and follow the Hindu calendar, so the English dates shift every year. The months below are a guide. Confirm exact dates with the Matha or local news before you book.
Festival calendar
Makara Sankranti and Saptotsava
A week of festivities at Sri Krishna Matha with the lake float festival and chariot processions, ending around Makara Sankranti.
Paryaya
The rotation of temple worship and administration between Udupi’s eight Mathas, held every two years.
Ratha Sapthami and Madhva Navami
Observed every year at the Matha under the Paryaya Matha’s lead.
Kollur Mookambika car festival
The annual car festival at Kollur is usually held in these months. See our Kollur temple guide.
Krishna Janmashtami and Vittal Pindi
The birth of Krishna at midnight, followed the next day by clay-pot breaking and Huli Vesha tiger dancers on Car Street.
Navaratri and Dasara
Daily worship of the goddess at the Matha, and special pujas at goddess temples such as Kollur, Kadiyali and Uchila.
Naraka Chaturdashi and Deepavali
Celebrated each year at Sri Krishna Matha, with lamps along Car Street.
Kambala buffalo races
The traditional races are held in the cooler months at fields across coastal Karnataka, including a traditional Kambala at Varanga.
Kodi Habba
A bamboo chariot festival at Kotilingeshwara Temple in Koteshwar, near Kundapura.
Paryaya: the festival of the eight Mathas
Sri Madhvacharya set up eight Mathas in Udupi, and each takes turns for two years to perform the worship and run the administration of Sri Krishna Matha. The handover is called Paryaya and is held every second January.
- The incoming seer is welcomed in a procession through Udupi and enters the Matha with the outgoing seer. The formal handover takes place at the Sarvajna Peetha inside the Matha.
- Sri Sugunendra Teertha of Puthige Matha took charge in January 2024. In the 2026 cycle the turn passed to Shiroor Matha, with Sri Vedavardhana Teertha as the Paryaya seer for 2026 to 2028.
- The next handover is due in January 2028. Expect large crowds, decorated streets and a busy fair, and book stays early.
Janmashtami and Vittal Pindi
This is Udupi’s liveliest festival. It runs over two days.
Day 1: Janmashtami
Rituals at Sri Krishna Matha build up to midnight. After the moon rises, the Paryaya seer performs the main puja and offers arghya to Krishna. Tiger dancers prepare in the hours before, with body painting that can take most of a night.
Day 2: Vittal Pindi
Also called Krishna Leelotsava or Mosaru Kudike. Clay pots are hung on Car Street and broken, groups in costume perform, and Huli Vesha tiger dancers draw big crowds. A clay Krishna idol goes out on a golden chariot in the afternoon.
Prasada
The Matha prepares huge quantities of chakli and laddu for the festival. Read our Udupi food guide for what else to eat.
Makara Sankranti and Saptotsava
The festival traces back to the day Madhvacharya is said to have installed the Krishna idol, on Makara Sankranti. The week before is the Saptotsava, with an evening float festival on the Madhva Sarovara and chariot processions on Car Street. On Sankranti day the Brahmaratha and two smaller chariots are pulled along Car Street, followed by the closing ceremonies the next morning. Start with our Sri Krishna Matha guide to plan your visit.
Tips for visiting during a festival
- Book early. Stays fill up around Paryaya, Janmashtami and Sankranti. Browse our homestays.
- Reach Car Street early. Main events draw big crowds and roads near the Matha get busy.
- Get around by auto or taxi. Parking near the temple is limited. See auto rental and taxi rental.
- Dress modestly for temple visits and expect to remove footwear.
- Check dates locally. They follow the Hindu calendar and can shift between years.
Udupi festivals FAQ
What is Paryaya in Udupi?
Paryaya is the rotation of worship and administration of Sri Krishna Matha among Udupi’s eight Mathas. Each Matha is in charge for two years, so the handover happens every second January.
When is the next Paryaya?
The Shiroor Matha term runs from 2026 to 2028, so the next handover is due in January 2028. Confirm the date locally closer to the time.
What is Vittal Pindi?
Vittal Pindi, also called Krishna Leelotsava or Mosaru Kudike, is the day after Janmashtami. Clay pots are broken on Car Street, and costumed performers and Huli Vesha tiger dancers fill the streets.
What is the best time to visit Udupi for festivals?
January is good for the Makara Sankranti and Saptotsava festivities at Sri Krishna Matha, and August to September for Janmashtami and Vittal Pindi. Dates follow the Hindu calendar, so check each year.
Are Udupi festivals crowded?
Yes. Janmashtami, Paryaya and Sankranti draw large crowds to Car Street, so arrive early and book your stay in advance.
Plan a festival trip
Stay close to Car Street and use local transport to see the temple, beaches and festival venues.
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