ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada’s ‘Vishwaguru’ title offered to Udupi Sri Krishna

A special commemorative event held in the ongoing Vishva Geeta Paryaya at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt

Udupi, December 21, 2025:

In the ongoing Vishva Geeta Paryaya 2024-26, Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha and ISKCON Bangalore organised Sri Krishna Samarpanotsava in Rajangana, Udupi, on Sunday, December 21, 2025. This commemorative event was held to offer the honour of “Vishwaguru” bestowed upon Srila Prabhupada during Maha Kumbh Mela at the lotus feet of Udupi Sri Krishna.

The grand Samarpanotsava (offering of gratitude) was conducted in the auspicious presence of HH Sri Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige, Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi and his Junior Pontiff (Kiriya Patta) HH Sri Sri Sushreendra Theertha Swamiji. HH Kailashananda Giri Maharaj, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara, Haridwar, came to Udupi specifically to attend this event. Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chairman and Mentor of the Global Hare Krishna Movement, Chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation and President of ISKCON Bangalore presided over the event. Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Vice Chairman and Senior Vice President, senior missionaries from the ISKCON Bangalore group of temples and a large gathering of devotees from all over India attended the programme.

It may be recalled that the Akhila Bharatiya Akhara Parishad conferred the esteemed title ‘Vishwaguru’ upon His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj. HH Kailashananda Giri Maharaj, along with Mahamandaleshwars from other Akharas, honoured Srila Prabhupada earlier this year for his invaluable contributions to the world and Sanatana Dharma.

Sri Krishna Samarpanotsava was held under the guidance and direction of HH Sri Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji, who ascended the Paryaya Peetha for the historic 4^th time last year. He has undertaken numerous spiritual and cultural initiatives during this paryaya, such as Gita Utsavas and the Suvarna Ratha, or the Golden Chariot, procession, which form part of the Pancha Pradhana Yojanas. He has been a well-wisher of ISKCON Bangalore and Akshaya  Patra and has supported the organisations’ services to society.

Srila Prabhupada is an empowered Vaishnava Acharya who appeared in the Sri Brahma-Madhwa-Gaudiya Sampradaya. He took our timeless ancient wisdom, Bharatiya culture and way of life beyond the shores of India. His pioneering efforts to propagate the message of Lord Krishna have transformed lakhs of people all over the world. Offering the ‘Vishwaguru’ title to Udupi Sri Krishna, the Deity installed and worshipped by Sri Madhwacharya himself, was of great significance to all Vaishnavas and followers of Sanatana Dharma.

The commemorative event commenced with Gita Parayana by Parayana Mandalis, followed by Harinama Sankirtana and Dasara Padagalu (devotional songs in Kannada composed by Vaishnava saint-poets). A beautiful plaque engraved with an image symbolising Srila Prabhupada offering the title to Udupi Krishna was unveiled by the respected spiritual leaders. A video compilation of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi appreciating Srila Prabhupada’s contributions, and glimpses of the Maha Kumbh programme were shown to the audience. Srila Prabhupada was decorated with traditional honours such as the sacred paraphernalia of the Deity and a splendid, bejewelled crown. A Pushpa Vrishti (showering of fragrant flowers) for Sri Madhwacharya and Srila Prabhupada, accompanied by the chanting of the Guruvashtakam – an 8-verse Sanskrit hymn in praise of the Guru, was one of the highlights of the occasion.

A unique biography titled Srila Prabhupada Charitamritam: Kannada Mahakavya, authored by Dr Kabbinale Vasanth Bharadwaj, a renowned Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Akademi Awardee and Karnataka Rajyotsava Awardee, was released during the Samarpanotsava. This work is the first Kannada Mahakavya of its kind. The book has been presented in the form of an exceptional epic poetry comprising the ‘Ashtadasha Padi’ metre of eighteen-line verses. It is a blend of ancient and modern Kannada, celebrating our rich culture and heritage. Scholars, philosophers and intellectuals have greatly appreciated and endorsed this book.

Shri Tulasi, a colourful and informative spiritual magazine of the Udupi Mutt, was released. The event culminated with Guru Puja, the felicitation of the Divans of Puttige Matha, and the distribution of sumptuous Sri Krishna Prasadam to everyone. It may be noted that ISKCON Bangalore has organised Laksha Gita Dana – distribution of 1 lakh Bhagavad Gita during this month of Gita Jayanti in pursuance of Srila Prabhupada’s desire to propagate Lord Krishna’s teachings everywhere. These efforts resonate with HH Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji’s resolve to make his historic Fourth Paryaya the “Vishwa Gita Paryaya” with the noble aim of ensuring the Gita in every home and in every heart.

Speaking on the occasion, HH Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said, “Lord Krishna becomes pleased when His devotees are glorified. I consider that Sri Krishna gave His own title ‘Vishwaguru’ to His Bhakta Shreshta (dearmost devotee), Srila Prabhupada. Today is a very auspicious day as Srila Prabhupada has come here to offer this honour bestowed on him to Udupi Sri Krishna. The Lord Himself appeared in the previous yugas, but in Kali Yuga, He has sent His empowered representative, Srila Prabhupada, to spread His message to the entire world.

I am happy that Srila Prabhupada received the ‘Vishwaguru’ title during my Paryaya. It is our pleasure that HH Kailashananda Giri Maharaj, one of the most prominent spiritual leaders and the Head of the ancient Niranjani Akhara, has come all the way from Prayagraj. By his presence, Udupi has become a Harihara kshetra like Haridwar, and the atmosphere here is like that of another Kumbh. North India is the Deva Bhoomi, where the Lord’s Avataras, such as Rama and Krishna, appeared. On the other hand, South India is the Acharya Bhoomi where Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya and Madhwacharya took birth. May there always be unity and peace in our blessed Bharatvarsha.

I recollect that Srila Prabhupada had come to Udupi during the Puthige Paryaya in 1976. I would say that he has come again today to offer his title. The name Vishwa Gita Paryaya has been exemplified today after the Samarpanotsava event.

I congratulate Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, Chanchalapathi Dasa and the devotees of ISKCON Bangalore on this great achievement. I appreciate their support for Koti Gita Lekhana Yajna and our other initiatives for many years. The ‘Vishwaguru’ honour has given immense satisfaction and new inspiration to the worldwide devotee community.”

HH Sri Kailashananda Giri Maharaj said, “Udupi, the holy place of Lord Krishna and Sri Madhwacharya, is the foremost seat of Vaishnavism. The sacred land of Karnataka, where Sri Udupi Kshetra is situated, has always been an inspiration for Bhakti. I was given the opportunity by Lord Krishna to honour His beloved servant Srila Prabhupada with the title ‘Vishwaguru’. I believe that this title should have been conferred much earlier, ideally when  Srila Prabhupada went to the West and established ISKCON, but we were blessed with this wonderful opportunity during the Maha Kumbh.

Occasions such as these come very rarely. I see that not only the ISKCON Bangalore community but people from India and all over the world are happy that Srila Prabhupada received this honorific title. Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa and Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa are carrying forward his legacy with great enthusiasm. I congratulate the devotee community of the worldwide ISKCON Bangalore group of temples, led by them, on this historic and joyous occasion.”

Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa said, “I express my heartfelt gratitude to HH Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji for hosting the Sri Krishna Samarpanotsava here in Udupi, a historical place of profound cultural and spiritual significance and the seat of Madhwa parampara. I am grateful to him for inviting us and taking a personal interest in guiding us on various aspects of this event. I also thank HH Sri Sri Sushreendra Theertha Swamiji for his participation. I would also like to thank HH Kailashananda Giri Maharaj Ji for coming to Udupi and gracing the event. Through his presence here, we are able to relive the momentous Vishwaguru event that took place in Prayagraj.

Srila Prabhupada is the inspiration behind all our projects and initiatives undertaken in the service of society. It is due to his blessings and leadership lessons that we are able to serve Sanatana Dharma, Bharat and the entire world. This is the month of Gita Jayanthi, and we consider it our good fortune that the Samarpanotsava of Srila Prabhupada’s ‘Vishwaguru’ title has been held at Sri Madhwacharya’s Udupi Sri Krishna Matha during this auspicious period.

I deeply appreciate and congratulate Dr. Kabbinale Vasanth Bharadwaj for his unique literary work on Srila Prabhupada. May this book reach all Kannada readers and help them

understand the life and contributions of Srila Prabhupada. I also thank all the participants for joining us on this important occasion.”