In the 16 th century, during Sri Vaadiraja 's rule, Kanakadasa, an ardent believer of God, came to Udupi to worship Lord Krishna. He was not allowed inside the temple since he was from a lower caste. Sri Krishna, pleased by the worship of Kanakadasa created a small hole in the back wall of the temple and turned to face the hole so that Kanakadasa could see him. This hole came to be known as KanakanaKindi. The sight of the beautiful MudduKrishna is available to everybody through the Kanakanakindi.
Devotees perform ceremonies in a large scale daily .
The offerings start in the early morning at 5 o' clock and continue throughout the day without any exceptions. Different festivals like Madhvanavami, Ramanavami, Nrisimha jayanthi, Bhagirathi janmadina, Krishna Leelothsava, Ganesha Chathurthi, Anantha Chathurdashi, Subrahmanya shashti, navarathri dasara, Holi, Vasantha Puja, Jagarana seva, Thulasi Pooja, Laksha deepothsava, Dhanu Pooja are celebrated in the temple. Special ceremonies and religious discourses take place on these festivals. Prior to Makara Sankramana ceremonies are conducted with grandeur and pomp for seven days, called as Sapthothsava. On the eighth day lakhs of people watch the magnificent Churnothsava.