Udupi's Paryaya Mahotsav Attracts Devotees for Spiritual Celebrations
A festive atmosphere filled the temple town of Udupi as large numbers of devotees gathered to witness the rituals and festivities of the Paryaya Mahotsav. The event marked the transition of Sri Vedavardhana Thirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt into his new role. The grand Paryaya procession created a vibrant scene across the city, drawing people from various regions.
Outgoing Pontiff Reflects on Unique Temple Experience
Sri Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji of Sri Puttige Mutt, the outgoing Paryaya pontiff, described his two-year tenure as indescribable. He emphasized the unique spiritual nature of the Udupi temple during a felicitation programme on Saturday. The seer noted that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken about the temple's distinct spiritual experience. He highlighted the powerful divine presence of the shrine, which houses an idol worshipped by Goddess Lakshmi.
Recalling his personal spiritual journey, the pontiff shared that he began worshipping Lord Krishna as a child. He completed his Paryaya tenure at the age of 64. Expressing his devotion, he said that if given the opportunity to worship again during the next Paryaya at 80, it would be a blessing to have worshipped Krishna through all stages of his life.
Detailed Schedule of Paryaya Rituals
The Paryaya rituals included a series of sacred events. Sri Vedavardhana Thirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt will take a holy dip at Dandatirtha near Kaup at 1.15 am on Sunday. This will be followed by the grand Paryaya procession starting from Jodukatte at 2 am. He will have darshan of Lord Krishna through Kanakana Kindi at 5.15 am. Subsequent darshans of Sri Chandramoulishwara and Sri Ananteshwara are also part of the schedule.
The Sarvajna Peetharohana ceremony will take place at 5.45 am. After this ceremony, the traditional darbar will occur in the presence of pontiffs from the Ashta Mutts. These rituals form the core of the Paryaya celebrations, blending tradition with spiritual fervor.
Free Ayurveda Camp Benefits Hundreds
As part of the Paryaya festivities, two women doctors organized a free Ayurveda medical camp. Dr Shrilaxmi R and Dr Mahalakshmi M S conducted the camp from January 15 at Car Street in Udupi. The initiative provided healthcare services to the community, benefiting over 450 people as of Saturday. This camp highlighted the integration of wellness practices with cultural celebrations.
Traditional Mattu Gulla Offering
Devotees from the Mattu region presented the Mattu Gulla, a type of aubergine, as an offering for the Paryaya festival. They carried baskets filled with Mattu Gulla in a procession to Rathabeedi. From there, they proceeded to the offering pavilion. This traditional offering added a local flavor to the festivities, showcasing regional agricultural products and devotional practices.
The Paryaya Mahotsav in Udupi continues to be a significant event, blending spiritual rituals with community activities. The involvement of various groups, from pontiffs to local devotees, underscores the cultural richness of the celebration.
