UDUPI: Pejawar Mutt senior pontiff Vishweshatheertha Swamiji has said that the Paryaya system of handing over pooja rights and administrative powers from one Mutt to another, which functions smoothly without any problems, was a model to modern day politics.
He was speaking at the ‘Paryaya Darbar’ on the occasion of Shiroor pontiff ascending the Paryaya Sarvajna Peetha at Srikrishna Temple on Monday.
He called upon fellow seers to work towards spreading devotion towards God and knowledge towards inculcating good character among the people.
“A governor was forced to quit his post due to his bad character. We the seers, who lead a spiritual life and have moral responsibilities, should learn a lesson from this incident and inculcate good character in us,” the seer said.
Shiroor Mutt pontiff Laxmivarateertha Swamiji, who ascended the Paryaya Sarvajna Peetha for the third time, thanked the people of Udupi for making the Paryaya festival a grand success.
“People should consider it as their own paryaya. I need their co-operation throughout the paryaya period of two years,” the seer said and sought the guidance of senior pontiffs.
‘Rs 50 cr for Udupi’s development’
CM BS Yedyurappa in his address announced a grant of Rs 50 crore for development works in Udupi and promised an additional grant in the second stage.
Union Minister of State for Petroleum Jitin Prasada, quoting the example of mutts leasing out land to build a church and Haji Abdulla’s (the founder of Corporation Bank) great association with Srikrishna Temple, termed Udupi as the ‘temple of communal harmony.’ Both Yeddyurappa and Prasada watched the Paryaya procession sitting on the stage put up at the district court premises.
Home Minister Dr VS Acharya, Minister for Environment and Life Sciences Krishna Palemar, MP DV Sadananda Gowda, Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes also participated in the festival.
Procession marks Paryaya
A huge tableau of Mattu Gulla, an indigenous brinjal grown in the areas surrounding Katapadi in Udupi taluk, a troupe of boys from Upadhya Skating Academy performing on the streets, another team walking on ‘Marakaalu’ (wooden legs), Yakshagana performances, Kangilu Kunita and other cultural performance and mechanised live tableaus were the special attractions of the Paryaya procession.
The serpentine procession held prior to the Shiroor Swamiji ascending the Paryaya Sarvajna Peeta started at 5.30 am on Monday from Jodukatte and took over two-and-a-half hours to reach Srikrishna Temple.
Pejawar Mutt senior pontiff Vishweshateertha Swamiji, his junior Vishwaprasannateertha Swamiji, Kaniyoor Mutt pontiff Vidyavallabhateertha Swamiji, Palimaru Mutt pontiff Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji, Krishnapur Mutt pontiff Vidyasagaratheertha Swamiji, Sode Vadiraja Mutt pontiff Vishwavallabhateertha Swamiji were taken in palanquins along with Shiroor Mutt pontiff Laxmivarateertha Swamiji.
As soon as they reached Car Street, seers got down from the palanquins and walked on the white cloth spread on the road to Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples.
