The history and organization of the eight monasteries known as Ashta-Matts) in Udupi, Karnataka established by Sri Madhvacharya are most interesting. Udupi is one of the rarest Hindu religious centers, where the customs and routines as practiced by its founder have not been altered significantly for over seven centuries.In the late 13th century, Sri Madhvacharya established the Krishna temple and the eight monasteries in Udupi. For seven centuries the monasteries have served as the bastions of Vaishnavism in India.