The short answer
Anantheshwara Temple: what visitors should know first
Yes, especially if the Krishna Matha queue has worn you out; this temple is calmer, smaller, and rarely crowded outside major festivals. Twenty to thirty minutes is enough for most visitors, and it pairs naturally with a Car Street walk.
History and context
The story behind Anantheshwara Temple
The temple's core structure is generally dated to the 8th century CE, built under the regional Alupa dynasty in the Kerala architectural style common along this coast. It has long been managed by Puttige Matha, one of the eight Ashta Mathas associated with Sri Krishna Matha.
Local tradition connects the site to the region's old name, Rajata Pitha (silver seat), after a ruler is said to have worshipped a Shiva linga here on a silver seat, predating the town's current name.
Useful facts
Anantheshwara Temple facts at a glance
- Location
- Beside Sri Krishna Matha, central Udupi
- Faith
- Hindu (Shaivite)
- Deity/dedication
- Shiva, worshipped as Ananteshwara
- Visitor note
- Far quieter than the adjoining Krishna temple; remove footwear at the entrance
- Built
- Around the 8th century CE, under the Alupa dynasty
Why it matters
Why Anantheshwara Temple is worth your time
Anantheshwara Temple is one of Udupi's oldest structures, generally dated to around the 8th century under the Alupa dynasty, well before Madhvacharya founded the Krishna Matha nearby in the 13th century. It is a reminder that Udupi's identity as a temple town predates its identity as a Krishna pilgrimage centre, and that the Shaiva and Vaishnavite traditions have coexisted here for over a thousand years.
The temple also carries a direct link to the district's Madhva scholarly tradition: local accounts associate it with teaching activity connected to Madhvacharya, tying the older Shiva shrine into the same intellectual lineage that produced the Dvaita philosophy taught a short walk away.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The gajaprishta roof form
The temple's rear section has an elephant-back-shaped roof, a design detail typical of old Kerala-style temples on this coast.
- 02
A quiet inner courtyard
Far less crowded than the Krishna temple next door, good for a slower, contemplative visit.
- 03
Its link to Rajata Pitha
The temple's association with Udupi's old name, the silver seat, ties it to the town's earliest recorded religious history.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Anantheshwara Temple, dedicated to Shiva worshipped here as Ananteshwara, predates Sri Krishna Matha and is built in the same sloped-roof Kerala temple style seen across coastal Karnataka. It sits close enough to the Krishna temple that most visitors reach it on foot in a few minutes, yet it draws a fraction of the crowd, making it a useful contrast if the main queue felt overwhelming.
The temple is linked to the story that gave Udupi its old Sanskrit name, Rajata Pitha, or silver seat: local tradition holds that a ruler worshipped a Shiva linga here on a silver pedestal, and the region came to be known by that name before the town's modern name, Udupi, took hold. The temple's compact scale, gajaprishta (elephant-back) roof form at the rear, and quiet inner courtyard reward a slow ten-minute walk around rather than a rushed pass-through.
Combine a visit here with Sri Krishna Matha and a stroll along Car Street; all three sit within a few minutes of each other, so a single morning can cover the temple quarter's main religious sites without much walking between them.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Remove shoes before the inner courtyard
- Visit outside the temple's own pooja hours for the calmest experience
- Combine with Sri Krishna Matha, since it is a two-minute walk away
- Dress modestly, as at any Hindu temple
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Adjacent to Sri Krishna Matha, central Udupi
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes
- Best time
- Late morning or late afternoon, outside the temple's own pooja hours when it is quietest
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Small and level underfoot, with far less queueing than the main Krishna temple; the main step is a low threshold at the entrance, and floors can be warm at midday, so socks or a quick barefoot dash suits most visitors.
- Tickets and access
- Free entry, no ticket needed. Footwear must be removed before the inner courtyard, as at any Hindu temple.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Anantheshwara Temple
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Small and level underfoot, with far less queueing than the main Krishna temple; the main step is a low threshold at the entrance, and floors can be warm at midday, so socks or a quick barefoot dash suits most visitors.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Anantheshwara Temple older than Sri Krishna Matha?
Yes, it is generally dated to around the 8th century, several centuries before Madhvacharya founded the Krishna Matha in the 13th century.
Is it crowded like the Krishna temple?
No, it usually sees far fewer visitors, making it a good quieter stop nearby.
How far is it from Sri Krishna Matha?
A few minutes' walk; the two temples sit close together in Udupi's temple quarter.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.