Shri Puttige Mutt, Udupi

Shri Puttige Mutt is one among the Ashta Mathas. It derives its name from the place where its main branch is located — a village called Puttige, Hiriyadka Taluk, Udupi, Karnataka. The Swarna river flows very close to the mutt, surrounded by lush green paddy fields and forest, making it serene, picturesque — a visual treat for the eyes and tranquillity for the mind. Shri Madhwacharya anointed Sri Upendra Tirtha as the first pontiff of this mutt.

Shri Madhvacharya blessed him by gifting the main deities Sri Vitthala with Rukmini and Satyabhama. The Vitthala murthy has a smiling face, a conch in one hand, and the other hand in abhaya mudra at the waist.

As per Madhwavijaya, once when Shri Madhwacharya and his disciples had undertaken the Uttara Badri Tirtha Yatra for the second time, they had to cross the river Ganga. Troops of the ruling king tried to stop and arrest them; however, Shri Madhwacharya spoke to the king and explained that the God ruling them is the same God protecting him and his disciples. The king was impressed by the valour, knowledge and personality of Shri Madhwacharya and offered him half of his kingdom and command of his army as minister — which Shri Madhwacharya gracefully declined, stating that he and his disciples were sanyasis who had renounced all worldly things and were interested only in the service of the Lord. The king let Shri Madhwacharya and his disciples continue their Tirtha Yatra. On the return journey, through the midst of a forest, a band of bandits attacked the disciples; it was Shri Upendra Tirtha who fought courageously and drove them away, and all the disciples returned safely to Udupi.