Kanakadasa was not allowed into the Udupi Krishna temple because he did not belong to the upper castes and was in those days it was considered sacrilegious to allow somebody from the lower castes into the temple. However, even the Gods bow to true devotion.
Kanakadasa stood outside the temple singing songs composed by him in honor of Lord Krishna, who deigned to turn to the West and gave a glimpse of his divine self to his devotee through a small window.
Such was the devotion that Kanakadasa showed through the medium of his devotional songs.
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This post has been written for the Velvet Verbosity 100 Words #356 prompt where the post had to include the word glimpse.
Read more about Kanakadasa at this Wikipedia article [Link to article]
I love that story. The Udupi Krishna is dazzlingly beautiful. I didn’t know there was a postage stamp of Kanakadasa, Jairam…thanks!
By the way, recently I came across some Swami Vivekananda stamps – so beautiful!
@Vidya, yes, the Udupi temple is a sight to behold, am yet to see the Vivekananda stamps š
Bhaktha Kanakadasa also made sure that the the kanakana Kindi (kanakdasas window) would give a lovely darshan of lord Krishna for the generations to come.
@Paddy, yes, it is quite an unique temple in that respect, isn’t it š
Have heard a lot about the Udipi Krishna, its interesting to know that a stamp was made on him.. that is a bit of new learning for today š
@Seeta, yes, the Kanakadasa story is so famous that they went ahead and made a stamp on him š
Oops! Have never heard or read about Bhakta Kanakadasa. I mean, there is a postage stamp to commemorate him!!
@Shilpa, I don’t blame you, his story and legend is mostly circulated and popular in the Udipi region and amongst the rest of Karnataka only. I know of him because of the fact that I have seen a lovely movie made in Kannada back when I was ten years old, and also because I have actually visited the temple itself š
Wow…hadn’t heard his name before nor have I visited the temple! Many poems credited to his name i see.. Thanks for sharing this Jairam š
@Aditi, please do visit the temple if ever you are in the region of coastal Karnataka, the place itself is quite idyllic š
After hearing so much about the temple, please do share something more about it here, Jairam.
thanks for this story, which I was completely unaware of.
@Kajal, I personally haven’t visited the temple in around 15+ yrs now Kajal, but will put up more information about the same if and when I do visit the same š
Cool…will wait š
I went to the Udupi temple in this April. Beautiful idol and a very beautiful story. But I am sad to note that the discrimination still continues. I say so because we had food at the temple and there were two floors. The first floor for all and sundry. The ground floor for brahmins and they were being offered pay as am or kheer. I doubt Krishna would stay there for long. š¦
@Rekha, I haven’t been to the temple in around 15+ yrs now, but if what you say is happening, then that is quite sad š¦
Such a lovely temple it is. I have been there quite a few times during my college life. š
@Jyothi, š
It’s sad how the caste system continue to divide us. Well-narrated as always:)
@Vishal, sad but true
Am I so bad about Indian/Hindu stories. I haven’t heard anything of these š¦
But thanks to you… I’m improving š
@Sheethal, good for you, glad I am of some help š