Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Feb 26: Yogi Sri Sri Nirmalnath, who will be anointed as 'Raja' of Kadali Yogeshwara (Jogi) Math, Kadri on March 7, was accorded a grand welcome as he arrived in the city on Friday February 26 morning. He was accompanied by several other Swamijis.
The 'Pura Pravesha' of the Swamijis was marked by much fanfare, with a procession of 'Zhundi' that started from Kottara and passed through Urwa Stores-Ladyhill-Kudroli-Car Street-Hampankatta-PVS-Bunts Hostel-Mallikatta, before culminating at Kadri Manjunatha Temple.
The 'Navanath Zhundi', which had arrived at Panambur from Mulky on February 25, had camped at Lord Nandaneshwara temple there. The procession, which was accompanied by traditional musical instruments, puppetry troupe and Nasik band, was received with enthusiasm by the general public, who offered puja to the feet of religious leaders in the procession at various places.
Various religious and cultural programmes will be held till March 7 at Jogi Math, Kadri. On March 7, Yogi Nirmalnathji will be coroneted as the new head of Kadali Math here at an elaborate religious function.
Odiyoor Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji, Manila Sri Mohandasa Swamiji, Karinje Sri Muktananda Swamiji, Kondevuru Sri Yogananda Swamiji, Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath, Sri Yogi Shivanath, MCC council members, MLA J R Lobo, MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, Vittaldas Tantry, president of Kadali Sri Yogeshwara Math Paryaya Raja Pattabhisheka Mahotsava Samiti, H K Puruhotham, Karnataka Jogi Samaja Sudharaka Sangha president, Kiran Kumar Jogi, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders, Prof M B Puranik and Jagadish Shenava, Sharan Pumpwell of Bajrang Dal, chief executive officer of 'Hosa Diganta' daily, P S Prakash, and city corporation standing committee chairman, Harinath, were among those present at the time of receiving the Zhundi at Kottara.
Yogi Sri Sri Nirmalnath was elected the new 'Raja' of Kadali Math in the Kumbh Mela of 2015. Accompanied by a troupe of more than 500 swamijis, the 'Raja' traversed a distance of more than 1,100 km from Nashik to Mangaluru by foot (Navanath Zhundi Yatra), which takes about 6 months. The 'Raja' carries with him the 'Patra Devata' which is worshipped by him not only through the Zhundi Yatra, but also during his tenure of 12 years as Peetadhipati of Kadali Math. Zhundi Yatra started on the day of Nagara Panchami from Nashik and reached Kadali Math about 10 days prior to Shivaratri. During this period, the Zhundi halted at 91 places, including 17 Maths. Among the swamijis of the Zhundi are 'Hatayogis', professionals (3 engineers and 2 doctors) and 19 postgraduates. Yogi Rajendranath has been practicing 'Hata Yoga' since the last 15 years, during which period he has been perpetually in standing position.
The anointing ceremony, known as 'Paryaya Raja Pattabhisheka', is held once every 12 years. Swamijis belonging to the 12 sects of Nath Panth (Nateshwari, Ganganath, Kaplani, Bairagi, Sathyanath, Ayi, Dhariyanath, Ramanath, Kanhadi, Maan-nath, Pagal and Dwaja) elect the new 'Raja' in the presence of the president and vice-president of 'Akhila Bharath Varshiya Awadhuth Yogi Maha Sabha Bhek Bharaha Panth', the organization that regulates the affairs of the different Nath Panth Maths in India. Only swamijis of Nateshwari, Ganganath, Kaplani and Bairagi sects are eligible to get elected as 'Rajas' of Kadali Math. Thus, each sect gets its turn after 48 years. The new 'Raja' belongs to the Bairagi sect. Yogeshwar (Jogi) Math located at Kadri hills is the most important Nath Panth center in southern India.