Daijiworld Media Network: Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Dec 11: The traditional Dhaanya Muhurtha of Udupi Shri Shiroor Math will be held on Sunday, December 14, at 6:15 am, ahead of the first Paryaya of Shri Vedavardhana Teertha Swamiji. This age-old ritual marks the beginning of collecting rice and pulses needed for preparing Annaprasada during the upcoming Paryaya term.
Spiritually and culturally significant, the Dhaanya Muhurtha symbolizes offering a portion of the harvest to the divine before using it for personal consumption. In the coastal region, this period usually coincides with the harvesting of paddy, making it an auspicious time to dedicate a share of the yield to the Lord. The ritual also represents shedding ignorance and embracing knowledge — with paddy symbolizing ignorance and rice representing enlightenment.
Uday Kumar Saralathaya, the Diwan of the Math, addressing the media, said, “The Shiroor Paryaya will be held from January 18, 2026, to January 2028. Paryaya signifies change and evolution in the pooja system. It is important not only for the Swamiji and the deity but also for the entire community. The main purpose of Paryaya is to bring people together in large numbers. The Dhaanya Muhurtha will begin at 6:15 am and will continue with the religious prayers. I urge everyone to gather in large numbers and make this Paryaya a memorable one.”
On the auspicious day, devotees will decorate bags filled with paddy or grains and participate in a grand procession along Car Street accompanied by traditional bands and titles. The event will begin with prayers at the shrines of Shri Aantheshwara, Shri Chandramouleshwara, Shri Krishna Mukhyaprana, Shri Garuda Deva, and Shri Madhwacharya.
Following this, devotees will proceed to the Badagu Maalige of Sri Krishna Math, where the administrative office and grain storage house are located. Here, the decorated grain bags will be placed on a specially arranged platform and offered prayers. The math officials will then formally commence the collection of grains for the Paryaya.
Devotees may continue to offer the grains they have grown on this day and in the days that follow. With this ceremony, all pre-Paryaya rituals conclude, and preparations begin for offering the new harvest to the Lord during the Paryaya festival.
Alongside the Dhanya Muhurtha, the Math will also conduct a special ritual of hoisting the flag atop the newly completed wooden chariot, marking another significant milestone in the Paryaya preparations.
Baikady Suprasad Shetty, Mattar Rathnakar Hegde and others were present in the press meet.