Change of guard: Udupi celebrates with curbs

Ganesh Mavanji

Mangaluru: Sri Ishapriya Theertha Swamiji of Sri Admar Matha performed the ‘pooja’ to Lord Krishna on the final day of his Paryaya Term on Monday.

It is now a known fact that Sri Vidyasagara Theertha Swamiji of Sri Krishnapura Matha, Udupi will ascend the ‘Sarvajna Peeta’ on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. He will have the privilege of worshiping ‘Lord Krishna’ in Sri Krishna Matha, Udupi for two years.

As per the direction of Paryaya Seer Sri Vidyasagara Theertha Swamiji of Sri Krishnapura Matha, Udupi, the ‘Paryaya Mahothsava’ the biennial event in the temple city, is being organized in a simple manner on Monday and Tuesday.

Instead of opting for extravaganza, the 251st Paryaya Mahothsava is being held without much fanfare due to fear of COVID-19. The biennial paryaya system began in the year 1522 after Sri Vadiraja Thirtha Swamiji changed it from a two month Paryaya to a biennial Paryaya. Earlier, dvaita philosopher Sri Madhwacharya, had given the rights to worship the presiding deity to his eight disciples for two months. Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat who is the working president of Paryaya Mahothsava Committee in a video message asked devotees to make sure that they watch Paryaya Mahothsava on TV channels and online as restrictions are in place.