Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jan 10: Sri Vidyasagara Theertha Swamiji of Sri Krishnapur Math, who will be ascending as seer of Sarvajna Peetha on January 17 for the fourth time, received a warm welcome during the traditional Pura Pravesha here on Monday, January 10. The Purva Pravesha was held in a simple manner following pandemic norms.

While MLA Raghupati Bhat welcomed him along with DC Kurma Rao, zlla panchayat CEO Dr Naveen Bhat Y, district superintendent of police Vishnuvardan, ASP Kumarachandra, Town Circle inspector Pramod Kumar and committee members during the procession.

As per the ritual, the Krishnapur Swamiji offered puja to Pattada Devaru 'Kalinga Mardhana' at Jodukotte after entering the city. Followed by this, the seer was brought in a beautifully decorated chariot accompanied by tableaus, Bhajan team, band set, Chande beats, puppets and classical musical instruments as well.

The colourful procession was taken from Jodukatte to Car street of Sri Krishna Temple via Diana Circle, K M Marga.

Later he visited Anantheshwara and Chandramouleshwara temples followed by Sri Krishna Math where he took the darshana of Lord Krishna.

Prior to the traditional Paryaya, Udupi City Municipality and Paryaya Mahotsava Committee had organized a civic felicitation programme at Sri Poorna Prajna Mantapa in the math.

Sri Vidyasagara Swamiji speaking after receiving the felicitation by CMC and Paryayotsava committee said, "Personally I believe in satisfying God, ultimately people are satisfied. Let us all satisfy God first. I will walk on the path of my guru. I am not interested in a grand celebration of Paryaya. This felicitation increased my responsibility and it is a wake up call for me. From the beginning, I was told to act as per tradition and I too stress on same. Lord Krishna does not like grand celebrations. The government has given permission for Paryaya despite the pandemic and I am playing my part in not contributing to the increasing cases of Covid."

Sri Ishapriya Theertha Swamiji of Admar math, who is outgoing seer after the biennial Paryaya, said, "I am the most junior pontiff in the ascended Sarvajna Peetha and I am grateful for that. Vidyasagara Swamiji is a scholar and we need to observe him closely. His achievements are immense. He is dedicated to our traditions. He is an excellent seer. Conversion is happening everywhere, but we should not leave our own culture and traditions."

Sri Vidyasagara will ascend the sacred Paryaya Peeta on January 18, 2022. He will take over the puja rights to conduct his Paryaya at Sri Krishna Math for the next two years from outgoing seer Sri Ishapriya Theertha Swamiji.

V Sunil Kumar, minister for Kannada and Culture department said that, "Hindu religious centers are indulged in propagating our religion. The Hindu saints always nurtured Indian culture. Let Vidyasagara Swamiji create a new spirit. Let the Krishna Math also take up the welfare activities in terms of promoting education, Annadana, promotion of art under the leadership of Krishnapur Swamiji".

Udupi MLA K Raghupati Bhat welcomed the gathering.

Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, president, Coastal Development Authority, Vidvan Dr Gururaj Acharya Nippani, scholar from Belgaum, K Suryanarayana Upadhyaya, president, Paryaya Mahotsava Committee, Dr Mohandas Bhat, administrator, Indira Shivarao of Polytechnic Muduperampalli, Sumithra Nayak, president, CMC Udupi, Lakshmi Manjunath, vice president, Manasa C Pai, councilor, were present.