Shri Madhwacharya initiated Sanyasa to eight of his brahmachari shishyas in order that they propagate the Dwaita Philosophy and carry on the pujas to ShriKrishna. It is said that the number eight is very dear to Lord Krishna, who was the 8th child of Vasudeva and

Devaki. Shri Madhwacharya also gave each of the eight Mathas, a deity of the respective Matha. The Paryaya Swamiji assisted by the other Swamijis worships Lord Krishna. There is an elaborate code elegant rituals governing the daily worship and festivals conducted at the temple regulating the mutual relationship of the eight Mathas.

 

SHRI KANIYUR MATHA

 

Emerging from the temple of Lord Shri Krishna, the first Matha to be seen is the Kaniyur Matha. The main branch of the Matha is Kaniyur, a place near Kukke Subramanya, 145 kms from Udupi. The original head of the Matha was Shri Rama Theertha. Shri Narasimha is the presiding deity. The present pontiff of the Matha is ShriVidhyavallabha Theertha Swamy.

 

SHRI SODE MATHA

 

The second Matha to be encountered on Carstreet is the Shri Sode Matha. The deity is Shri Bhoovaraha. Earlier this Matha was attached to a place called Kumbashi and called the Kumbhashi Matha. It was later during the time of Shri Vadiraja Swamiji that the Matha came to be known as Shri Sode Matha. Sode or Sonda is a place near Sirsi(North Kanara) and is 224 kms from Udupi. The original head of the Matha was Shri Vishnu Theertha, the younger brother of Shri Madhwacharya, It is believed that he is still engaged in penance in Kumaradri hills. The present pontiff the Matha is Sri VishwaVallaba Theertha.

 

SHRI PUTHIGE MATHA

 

After the Sode Matha, is the Shri Puttige Matha. Upendra Theertha was the original Swamiji of this Matha who was given the deity of Shri Vittala by Shri Madhwacharya. The main branch of this Matha is at Puttige, 21 Kms from Udupi. The present pontiff is Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji.

 

SHRI ADMAR MATHA

 

The next Matha to be seen is Shri Admar Matha. The main branch of this Matha is at a place called Admar, 21 Kms from Udupi. The original head of this Matha was Shri Narasimha Theertha who worshipped a Kallinga Mardhana Shri Krishna Deity given to him by his Guru Shri Madhwacharya. The present Senior & Junior pontiffs are Shri Vibhudesha Theertha Swamiji and ShriVishwapriya Theertha Swamiji respectively.

 

SHRI PEJAVARA MATHA

 

Next to Admar Matha is Shri Pejavar Matha. The original Swamiji of this Matha was Shri Adhokshaja Theertha. Shri Vittala is the presiding deity of the Matha. The main branch of this Matha is at Pejavar 55 Kms from Udupi. The present senior & junior pontiffs are ShriVishwesha Theertha Swamiji and Shri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji respectively.

SHRI PALIMAR MATHA

 

The first Swamiji of this Matha was Shri Hrishikesha Theertha whose handwritten scripts, are still preserved at the Matha. For his worship, Shri Madhwacharya gave the deity of Shri Rama. The main branch of this Matha is at distance of 30 Kms. from Udupi. The present pontiff is Shri Vidhyadeesha Theertha Swamiji.

 

SHRI KRISHNAPURA MATHA

 

Shri Krishnapur Matha is on the Northern side of the Carstreet, next to Shri Palimar Matha. The first head of this Matha was Shri Janardhan Theertha. He was given andeity of Kaliya Mardhana Shri Krishna. the main branch of this Matha is at Krishnapur near Surathkal 45 kms from Udupi. The present pontiff is Shri Vidhyasagara Theertha Swamiji.

 

SHRI SHIROOR MATHA

 

Next to Shri Krishnapur Matha and on the right side of Shri Krishna Temple we see Shiroor Matha. Shri Vamana Theertha was the original Swamiji of this Matha. He received Shri Vittala deity from Shri Madhwacharya for his worship. The main branch of this Matha is at Shiroor, a place 21 kms. from Udupi near Hiriyadka. The present pontiff is Shri Lakshmivara Theertha Swamiji.