Pics: Akshay
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Dec 6: The first preparatory ritual for the upcoming 2026 Paryaya of Shiroor Math, Baale Muhurtha, was conducted with great religious fervor by Sri Vedavardhana Theertha Swamiji, the pontiff of Shiroor Math, on Friday December 6.
The ceremonies began at the Math premises in car street with religious fervour. The banana saplings, Basil sapling and sugarcane seedlings were brought in a ceremonial procession to the designated site owned by Shiroor Math near PPC college. All the three saplings were planted by the public. These will be utilised during the two years of paryaya of Shiroor Math for anna prasada.
According to the customs of the Math, there are four rituals, 'Bale Muhurtha', 'Kattige Muhurtha', 'Akki Muhurtha' and 'Bhatta Muhurtha', performed in the run-up to the main Paryaya event, to ensure that there is plentiful supply of food grains for devotees of Sri Krishna Math and temple.
Bale Muhurtha is the first preparatory ritual before the main event of Paryaya festival which the ascending Swamiji, who is to take over the charge of Sri Krishna Math for the next two-year term from the outgoing seer under biennial Paryaya system among the eight Swamijis (Ashta Math) has to perform. This is the first of the four important rituals that need to be performed on fixed Muhurtha days, before the actual ascension of Paryaya Peetha (Sarvajna Peeta) on January 18, 2026.
Vedavardhana Theerths swamiji, Shiroor Math pontiff addressing the devotees gathered on the occasion said, “Today we have performed bale muhurtha ahead of my first paryaya. We have planned to provide the Sri Krishna prasada during our term in a very unique way. In this way as a preparation today bale muhurtha has been performed. All the devotees have extended their hands for this ritual today, I request the same participation and coordination in all the rituals related to paryaya. We have planned to give more importance to Veda paraya during our paryaya term. Currently there are different menus at the different locations of mutt for prasada, but we intend to bring uniformity in this matter. The prasada of almighty to be given to all and equally."
Dr Udaykumar Saralattaya, diwan of Shiroor Math on the occasion said, “Doing good to the world by Hindus is a part of our culture. Poojas performed should also be in line with nature. If we use plastic bottles it will harm the environment, instead of this our ancestors have opted to use banana plants as the alternative. It is a tradition to provide food on banana leaves. After the use the leaf will again become useful as fertilizer. Shiroor Math paryaya will begin from January 18, 2026 and will be held till January 18, 2028 for a period of two years. Vedavardhana theertha swamiji will ascend the paryaya. His wish is to provide good food for the devotees. Today we also planted Tulasi saplings, this will be utilised for the pooja rituals during paryaya. A large number of devotees have taken part in this ritual today. The rituals will continue with bhatta muhurtha, dhanya muhurtha and Kattige muhurtha, chappara muhurtha."
Yashpal Suvarna, MLA Udupi; Dr Krishnaprasad K, medical director Prasad Netralaya Group of Eye Hospitals and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.