UDUPI: “For me, this is a day of celebration. I am thankful to my senior pontiff (late) Sri Vishvotthama Theertha Swamiji, for inducting me as his junior. With that belief, I took this Paryaya Pooja Deeksha (authority to worship Lord Krishna),” said Paryaya Sode Mutt pontiff Vishwavallabha Theertha, who ascended the Sarvajna Peeta in the wee hours of Wednesday.
He said that the Sri Krishna Temple was a classroom and Lord Krishna was the Jagadguru (teacher of the world). “Initially, I was scared to take up this responsibility at a young age, but Matadhipathis blessed me. I request Sri (late) Vadiraja Swamiji to run the show during my paryaya term here,” he said. Senior Pejawar Mutt pontiff Vishwesha Theertha recalled that Lord Narasimha had only accepted young Prahlada’s prayers. In his address, CM and executive president of Paryaya Reception Committee D V Sadananda Gowda hoped that the pontiff would include programmes to promote peace and love.