Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Aug 27: Ahead of the Paryaya Peetha ascension of Sri Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji of Palimar Math next year, the third of the four rituals - 'Kattige Muhurta' was held at the Math premises here on Sunday August 27.

Two of the rituals - 'Akki Muhurta' and 'Bale Muhurta' were performed in December 2016 and January 2017, respectively. The last, 'Bhatta Muhurta' is usually held in the month of December.

The rituals were led by Palimar Math Diwan Shibarur Vedavyasa Tantri.

Bundles of firewood placed on heads were taken in a procession from Palimar Math. The procession moved ahead after prayers were offered at Lord Ananteshwara, Lord Chandramouleshwara, Mukhyaprana, and Vrindavana temples by the Math Diwan. Prayers were also offered at Sri Krishna Math.

The procession was accompanied by musical instruments and was marked by religious fervour as devotees carried firewood.

The bundles of firewood were stacked at a spot near the Sri Krishna Math Go Shala in the shape of a chariot. It is mandatory for the accumulation of firewood to be completed, and its canopy to be erected before 'Bhatta Muhurta' is held. For the specific purpose of gathering firewood, each of these Maths have been allotted ten to twenty acres of thickets each, and firewood also comes in the form of donations.

Kattige Muhurta signals the beginning of the process of accumulation of firewood for cooking 'Anna Prasada' meant for distribution to devotees for the two-year period of the next Paryaya.

Speaking to reporters, religious scholar Sagri Vedavyasa Upadhyaya said, "This is the second Paryaya ascension of Sri Palimar Swamiji. The third of the four Muhuratas has been held today. The firewood will help in serving the devotees as well as Sri Krishna during the next two years.

Swamiji and scholars from the Ashta Maths, Paryaya committee secretary Balaji Raghavendra Acharya, Pradeep Kumar Kalkur, Harikishna Punaroor and others were present.