Udupi all geared up for Paryaya amid opposition to proposal on palaquins
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jan 16: Udupi is all set for Paryaya celebrations to be held on January 18. Lacs of people from across the country and abroad are expected to witness the celebrations during which Vidyavallabhatirtha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math will ascend the Paryaya Peetha.
District incharge minister Vinaykumar Sorake has urged for support from various departments in the district and the government for the upcoming Udupi Paryayotsava.
In a meeting held at the office of deputy commissioner to prepare for the celebrations, Sorake stressed on the need to double check the preparations and avoid loopholes. The minister presided over the meeting.
SP Dr Boralingaiah said that 45 CCTV cameras, TVs, 1200 police personnel and officials have been assigned from neighboring districts. Three ambulances have been arranged by coordination with the department of health, he said.
Commissioner of town municipal council Srikanth Rao, officials of district health, Mescom and PWD explained their preparations relating to the celebrations.
Deputy commissioner Dr M T Reju, Zilla panchayat chief executive officials S A Prabhakar Sharma and various district and taluk level officials were present.
Opposition to palanquin proposal
Meanwhile, Sri Shiroor Swamiji said that the proposal to do away with palaquins carried by devotees this time, as announced by Pejawar Swamiji earlier, would be a deviation from 800-year-old tradition. He, however, added that he would not sit on his palaquin but would walk along with it.
Pejawar Swamiji had said that instead of a palaquin by men, the swamijis would go in procession with palaquinds atop a motor vehicle.
Shiroor Swamiji said that having a motor vehicle carrying palaquins would be an innovation that would make the devotees unhappy. "Such palaquins have their own significance and their value is upheld only if carried by devotees," he said.
When Pejavar Swamiji was asked about it, he refused to comment and said that he is not aware of what the Shiroor Swamiji said and will speak about it only when the matter is brought to his notice.
Shiroor Swamiji also announced an amount of Rs one lac to the kin of police officer Mallikarjuna Bande who was shot dead by a rowdy in an encounter. His wife and his father will be given Rs 50,000 each.