In short
- Kanakadasa Jayanti 2026
- Friday, 27 November 2026
- Tithi
- Margashirsha Krishna TritiyaKartika Krishna Tritiya (amanta)
- Observed for
- Bhakti, equality and Kannada literature
What is it? The birth anniversary of Kanakadasa, one of the great Haridasas of Karnataka.
Why do families keep it? He brought devotion to Krishna into plain Kannada for everyone, and asked hard questions about caste in songs people still sing.
What happens on the day? Processions with his portrait, keertane singing, readings from his works, and visits to Kaginele and the Kanakana Kindi in Udupi.
When to observe Kanakadasa Jayanti in 2026
| Tritiya tithi begins | Thu, 26 Nov, 01:16 PM |
|---|---|
| Tritiya tithi ends | Fri, 27 Nov, 09:49 AM |
| Sunrise | 06:24 AM |
| Sunset | 05:50 PM |
What Kanakadasa Jayanti means
The poet
Born Thimmappa Nayaka at Bada in today’s Haveri district, he was a chieftain and soldier before turning to devotion. His works include Mohana Tarangini, Nala Charitre, Haribhakti Sara and Ramadhanya Charitre.
The Haridasa
A disciple of Vyasatirtha, he sang in plain Kannada so that anyone could follow. His songs end with the signature “Kaginele Adikeshava”, the deity of Kaginele.
Kanakana Kindi
At the Udupi Krishna Matha, a small window called Kanakana Kindi marks the place where, it is told, Krishna turned to give darshan to Kanakadasa when he was kept outside.
The question of equality
Ramadhanya Charitre tells of a quarrel between rice and ragi — the grain of the rich and the grain of the poor — and Rama’s judgement for ragi. It is still read as a call to judge people by their worth, not their birth.
The window at Udupi
Who is in it: Kanakadasa, Sri Krishna of Udupi, Vadiraja Tirtha, Vyasatirtha
After years as a disciple of Vyasatirtha in Vijayanagara, Kanakadasa travelled to Udupi to see Sri Krishna.
Because of his birth, he was not allowed into the temple. He did not argue. He went round to the back wall, sat in a small hut, and sang to Krishna through the stone.
One of his songs — “Baagilanu teredu seveyanu kodu Hariye”, open the door and let me serve you, Hari — is said to have been sung there.
It is told that the wall cracked, and the idol of Krishna turned to the west so that Kanakadasa could see him. To this day Udupi Krishna faces west, and the window is called Kanakana Kindi.
What it teaches: God turns towards devotion, not birth. A closed door is no barrier to a true song.
Kanakadasa Jayanti puja at home, step by step
Getting ready
- 1Find a portrait of Kanakadasa and a book of his keertanes.
- 2Clean a small space with a lamp and flowers.
The puja
- 1Garland the portrait and light a lamp.
- 2Sing or play a few of his keertanes — Baagilanu teredu, Nee mayeyolago, Kula kula kulavendu.
- 3Read a passage from Ramadhanya Charitre or Mohana Tarangini with the family.
- 4Offer a simple naivedya — ragi made into a sweet is a fitting choice.
Closing the puja
- 1Join a procession or bhajane in your area.
- 2Share food with someone in need, as the Haridasas did.
What to keep ready for Kanakadasa Jayanti
Must have
| What | How much | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait of Kanakadasa | 1 | Garlanded for the day |
| Flowers and a garland | 1 | Offering |
| Lamp and agarbatti | 1 set | Aarati |
| Book of Kanakadasa keertanes | 1 | Singing and reading |
Good to have
| What | How much | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Ragi sweet (ragi manni or ragi halwa) | — | Naivedya, remembering Ramadhanya Charitre |
Good practice, and what to avoid
Please do
- Sing at least one of his songs.
- Read a few lines of his poetry aloud with children.
- Treat everyone you meet as an equal — his whole message.
Best avoided
- Turn the day into a quarrel over caste or community. He spent his life ending that.
Chants for Kanakadasa Jayanti
Baagilanu teredu (keertane)
ಬಾಗಿಲನು ತೆರೆದು ಸೇವೆಯನು ಕೊಡು ಹರಿಯೆ
Baagilanu teredu seveyanu kodu Hariye
What it means: Open the door, Hari, and let me serve you.
Nee mayeyolago (keertane)
ನೀ ಮಾಯೆಯೊಳಗೊ ನಿನ್ನೊಳು ಮಾಯೆಯೊ
Nee maayeyolago, ninnolu maayeyo
What it means: Are you inside illusion, or is illusion inside you? — a song asking where the seeker ends and God begins.
Kanakadasa Jayanti from region to region
Kaginele, Haveri
The Kanaka Guru Peetha and Adikeshava temple hold the biggest celebrations.
Udupi
Devotees visit the Kanakana Kindi at the Krishna Matha.
Across Karnataka
Processions with his portrait, music competitions and talks in schools and colleges; a government holiday.
Have the Kanakadasa Jayanti puja done for you
A Stuti Mandir pandit can sit with your family for Kanakadasa Jayanti at home, or offer the puja at a temple in your name.
Where this comes from
- Kanakadasa’s works: Mohana Tarangini, Nala Charitre, Haribhakti Sara, Ramadhanya Charitre and his keertanes.
- Karnataka government records of the Kanakadasa Jayanti holiday.
- Udupi Sri Krishna Matha tradition for the Kanakana Kindi.
How we work out the dates: Stuti Mandir’s own panchanga engine places the Sun and Moon (Lahiri ayanamsa) and checks the tithi against sunrise, sunset and moonrise in Bengaluru, in IST. A printed panchanga may differ by a minute or so. Where your family’s panchanga or your purohita says otherwise, go with them.
Questions devotees ask us
When is Kanakadasa Jayanti 2026?
Friday, 27 November 2026. In Bengaluru, Kartika Krishna Tritiya (amanta; Margashirsha Krishna Tritiya in the North Indian count) begins Thu, 26 Nov, 01:16 PM and ends Fri, 27 Nov, 09:49 AM IST.
Will Mysuru and Delhi keep Kanakadasa Jayanti on the same day?
Mostly yes. But the sun rises and sets at different times in different towns, and a habba is kept on the day its tithi is running at the right hour — so timings shift, and once in a while the date does too. Change the town above to see yours.
When is Kanakadasa Jayanti?
On Kartika Bahula (Krishna) Tritiye, a few days after Kartika Hunnime. The date for this year is at the top of the page.
What is the Kanakana Kindi?
A small window in the west wall of the Udupi Krishna Matha. Devotees take darshan of Krishna through it, remembering Kanakadasa.