Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Feb 11: As part of the preparations for the ascension of Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math to Paryaya Peetha next year, the 'Akki Muhurat' ritual was held here on Wednesday February 11.

'Akki Muhurta', which forms part of the four-part ritual in the run-up to the Paryaya celebrations, is a traditional practice to gather rice for 'Annadana' during the two years before the next Paryaya Peetha ascension. Out of the four rituals, the 'Baale Muhurat' was performed in the first week of December 2014.

The Pejawar Swamiji visited Mukhyaprana, Chandramouleshwara and Anantheshwara temples in a grand procession. Later, he visited the Sri Krishna temple. He was brought in a procession to ‘Subhramanya Gudi’ and ‘Brindavana’ to offer prayers. ‘Mahamangalastike’, ‘Dhanyalaxmi Puja’, and ‘Navagraha Puja’ were performed on this occasion.

The ‘akki mudi’ was places in a decorated golden palanquin and taken in a procession. Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji received the rice from the heads of Ashta Maths at Pejawar Math. The Akki Muhurat ended with ‘pada puja - malike mangalaarati’ and blessings.

Addressing the gathering, Pejawar Swamiji said, "Maths are meant for imparting knowledge to students as in Gurukul system. Rice satisfies one's hunger, but a person can achieve control over his hunger for materialistic wealth only through spiritual knowledge. Spiritual thoughts are universal. Human hunger is satisfied by Annabrahma and Udupi temple is also known to be a place of Annabrahma."

Speaking to media persons, Pejawar Swamiji spoke about the plans he has for Udupi and said, "Devotees need facilities like parking system and medical care, and these have to be done at the earliest. We will also focus on establishing educational institution at Pajaka, and look to impart religious education along with the other worldly subjects."

Pejawar Swamiji launched a Facebook page 'Panchama Paryaya' and also a book on Tulu script.

Heads of Sode Math, Palimar Math, Shiroor Math, Admar Math and others were present.

'AAP's victory a wake-up call to Modi government'

On the landslide victory of Arvind Kejriwal's AAP in Delhi Assembly elections, Pejawar Swamiji congratulated Kejriwal and said, "Winning and losing is common. Public opinion comes to the fore in a democratic setup. People have lots of expectations from Kejriwal."

He further said that BJP's huge loss is a wake-up call to the Narendra Modi government. "Modi has completed nine months at the centre. The Delhi result is a wake-up call to the central government, especially with regard to Modi's development works. The Land Acquisition Ordinance shows that he (Modi) is less interested in the welfare of farmers and the poor," he said, while wishing that Kejriwal performs well as CM.