NewsKarnataka – Udupi
Udupi: The mood is festive in the Temple Town of Udupi which is in all its splendour to celebrate Paryaya Festival considered the most celebrated festival in South Karnataka. Paryaya is celebrated for 4 days after Makar Sankranti and usually falls on 18th of January every year according to the English calendar. This is a unique festival which is celebrated every second year in comparison to other festivals which are celebrated annually.
Carstreet in Udupi is a beehive of activities since the past few days. Religious hymns and bhajans echo in and around Carstreet soaking people in devotion.
History of Paryaya
Around 800 years ago the Saligrama Shila idol of Lord Sri Krishna was installed by the saint Madhwacharya. He was also instrumental in forming the ‘Ashta Mutts’ with eight young pontiffs to perform Krishna Pooja for two months on rotation among them.
In 1522, Vadiraja Swami of Sri Sode mutt modified the ritual and conducted the ritual once in two years.
Accordingly Bale Muhurtha is performed, one year prior to the Paryaya by the ascending Swamiji. In Bale Muhurta, banana or plantain saplings are planted along with tulasi (Basil) to meet the needs for Krishna puja and for feeding of devotees.
After that, Akki Muhurtha is performed, where rice is stored in Mudi (made from hay). Around 48 Mudis are stored on Akki Muhurtha. Kattige Muhurtha follows Akki Muhurtha.
The traditional Paryaya ceremony and rituals has been continued in a similar manner since the beginning of the tradition without much deviation and without break since over 800 years. The Paryaya rituals will start during the wee hours on January 18 exactly at 5.50 am.
Tradition
As per the tradition, the incoming seer of Kaniyur mutt will leave for Dandatheertha, near Kaup, to take a holy dip in the holy pond, following which he will enter Udupi city at Jodukatte, where he will be received by the Swamis from Ashta mutts, except the outgoing seer. The incoming seer will be taken in a grand Paryaya procession from Jodukatte.
The Paryaya seer will have the Darshan of Sri Anantheshwara and Sri Chandramouleeshwara temples before entering Sri Krishna mutt where he will be received by the outgoing seer of Sode Vadiraj mutt at the entrance point of the mutt. Later, he will be escorted to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple where the reins of the Sri Krishna mutt will be handed over.
Paryaya Mahotsav Prasadam
A year in advance many rituals are performed during which firewood is accumulated to cook the prasadam and tulsi saplings are planted as they are considered holy and also to keep the earth green and lively, and the main staple food-rice is stored safely for future use. All steps are taken for the welfare of the people of Udupi. All the rituals are performed in a special muhuratha by all the holy saints in the presence of the deity Lord Sri Krishna.
Present scenario
While the temple town has been anxiously waiting for the festivities to be held, the administration on the other hand has taken all measures to ensure that the programs are held in a peaceful atmosphere.
The magnificent celebrations of Paryaya wherein the Kaniyur mutt seer Vidyavallabhatheertha Swami will take over the charges of the Sri Krishna temple and Pooja rights from the outgoing Sode Vadiraj mutt seer Vishwavallabhatheertha to ascend the sacred ‘Paryaya Sarvajna Peeta’ inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple on Saturday.
Security stepped up
The District Police Department has made elaborate security arrangements for the Paryaya Mohatsav of Kaniyur Math Seer Sri Vidyavallabhatheertha Swamiji on January 17 and 18. Moreover the district administration has put a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Deputy Commissioner MT Reju stated that the ban would be applicable in Udupi City Municipal Council limits, Ambalpady, Kadekar, Malpe, Santhekatte, Udyavar and Katapady.
Palanquins controversy
Lately, the Shiroor math seer Sri Laxmivaratheertha Swamiji has strongly opposed the idea of transporting the palanquins which carries the seers of Ashta mutts during the Paryaya celebrations in open vehicles instead of it being carried by the devotees as it is an age old practice. Earlier Sri Vishwesha Thirtha of Sri Pejavar Mutt on January 8 had told that all the pontiffs of all the maths in Udupi have agreed upon his proposal for a modified way of carrying out the palanquin in a open vehicle instead of it being carried by devotees.
However it is hoped that things might be sorted after making an attempt to convince Shiroor seer and then to ensure that palanquins would be carried in open vehicle as per the suggestion given by the Pejawar mutt seer Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji.
