Udupi: Paryaya Invitation Row - Slighted Puttige Mutt Swamiji to Fast in Protest
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jan 16: Feeling insulted and humiliated by Sode Mutt Swamiji Sri Vishwavallabhateertha’s stand not to invite him for the Paryaya celebrations being held on January 18 and 19 this year, Sri Sugunendrateertha Swamiji of Puttige Mutt has announced his decision to observe a day’s fast from 9 am on Tuesday January 17, to 5 am the next day.
It may be recalled that Sode Mutt Swamiji, who surprisingly broke the tradition of Sri Krishna Mutt of paying obeisance to the presiding deities of the individual Mutts and inviting the heads of all the heads of Mutts for his Paryaya enthronement festival, singled out Puttige Mutt Swamiji for giving a snub. Not only was the name of Sri Sugunendrateertha Swamiji’s left out in the formal invitation printed by Sode Mutt, Sri Vishwavallabhateertha also skipped the customary visit to Puttige Mutt to pay obeisance to the deity there, Lord Panduranga Vittala.
Addressing a press conference here on Sunday January 15, Puttige Swamiji announced that he will undertake protest fast near Madhwacharya’s idol in Lord Ananteshwara Temple next to Sri Krishna Mutt for a day as above. “The boycott placed on me is neither justified, nor in line with the traditions of Sri Krishna Mutt. In terms of social considerations too, this behaviour is unhealthy. Even after I extended an open invitation to Sode Mutt Swamiji to come and invite me for Paryaya, he cold-shouldered my advances,” he said.
The Swamiji added that Pejavar Swamiji told him that he had talked to Sode Mutt Swamiji on the issue and asked him to personally extend invitation to the former, and that the Sode Swamiji refused to budge.
“It is clear that the head of Krishnapura Mutt is opposed to my presence at Paryaya Darbar. I feel that Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt, senior-most Swamiji here, has not been showing the will power to ensure that the tradition of the Mutt is not given a go by. I understand that Pejavar Swamiji, Sri Samyamindra Acharya and Rajagopalacharya of Mantralaya, are in talks to tide over the problem. I have noticed that Pejavar Swamiji has not evinced total interest in the matter, nor has he held a firm and honest stand on the issue. If he makes up his mind, everything will fall in line. So, I have decided to undertake protest fast,” he explained.