Udupi: In a traditional ceremony held at Udupi on Thursday morning, Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puthige Math took charge of the Paryaya Peetha.
The Paryaya celebration marks the initiation of a two-year term during which a Swamiji, among the eight pontiffs of Udupi Krishna Math, will be responsible for conducting the daily pooja to Sri Krishna. This time, Sri Sugunendra Tirtha ascended the Paryaya.
Notably, this Paryaya term is named 'Vishwa Gita Paryaya,' with Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji planning various programs centered around the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
As per tradition, Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji and his disciple, Sushreendra Tirtha Swamiji, had a sacred dip at the Danda Tirtha lake, located about 15 km from Udupi.
Subsequently, on their arrival at Jodukatte in Udupi, Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji offered Pooja to Rugmini Satyabhama Sahita Sri Vittala, the presiding deity of Puthige Math. A grand procession then carried the two seers to Sri Krishna Matha.
The seers had darshan of Sri Krishna at 'Kanakana Kindi,' followed by receiving blessings from Sri Chandramauleeshwara and Sri Anantheshwara. A special pooja was dedicated to Sri Madhvacharya at the Sri Anantheshwara Temple.
At Sri Krishna Math, following the darshan of Sri Krishna and other deities, Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji of Adamaru Matha handed over the Akshaya Patre’ and ‘Sattuga’ (vessel and ladle given by Sri Madhvacharya to his disciples) to Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji symbolizing the transfer of responsibilities. Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji then escorted Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji to the Sarvajna Peetha.
The Paryaya Darbar took place at Rajangana, attended by dignitaries including Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, Speaker UT Khader, Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, and various other esteemed personalities.
Representatives from various temples including Tirumala handed over the Prasadam to Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji.
Notably, Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji's global outreach was evident as delegates from abroad attended the event, reflecting the Math's establishment in various countries.
Other seers abstain from attending Paryaya celebration: As per tradition, the outgoing seer, Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji of Krishnapura Math had to hand over the charge to Sri Sugunendra Tirtha during the Paryaya. However he abstained from attending due to which Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji, the second senior most seer of Udupi, handed over the charge to Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji.
Dissatisfaction among other seers of Udupi including Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji continues due to Sri Sugunendra Tirtha's foreign visits, violating the tradition that prohibits seers who cross the sea (Samudrollanghana) from offering Pooja to Sri Krishna.
Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji had visited the US after his second Paryaya which had attracted strong opposition from others seers of Udupi as well as a section of devotees.
As a result, the seers of other maths abstained from attending his 3rd Paryaya celebration in 2008. Similarly, they refrained from attending the Paryaya celebration this time too.
