Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jan 4: Non-inclusion of the name of Puttige Mutt Swamiji, Sri Sugunendrateertha, in the official invitation for the historical Paryaya Darbar (court) being held this time on January 18, has given rise to heartburn among the followers of Puttige Mutt. Sode Mutt, which will be taking over the puja rights of Lord Srikrishna for the next two-year Paryaya period, while preparing the invitation, has deviated from the past practice of only mentioning that all the spiritual heads of eight mutts will participate in the Darbar. Instead, it has printed individual names of Swamijis and mutts in its invitation. The name of Puttige Swamiji is conspicuous by its absence there.

In the past too, there had been instances in which some Swamijis stayed away from the procession and Darbar connected with the Paryaya festival. The suspense over the participation of one or more Swamijis used to remain till the end. However, this time, no invitation has been extended to Puttige mutt Swamiji, whose Paryaya period which ended two years ago, was surrounded by controversy over his foreign tour, and demands made by certain sections to him for forgoing his Paryaya right.

Taking umbrage at the above development, Srikrishna Mukhyaprana Bhakta Vrinda and Hindu Samaja Nagarika Samiti, have requested Sode Mutt to extend invitation to Sri Sugunendrateertha Swamiji of Puttige Mutt to the Paryaya festivities. The office bearers of the Samiti, who met at Raghavendra Mutt at Car Street here, went in a delegation together and submitted a memorandum in this connection to Krishnacharya, an office bearer of Paryaya Reception Committee.  The memorandum has demanded the reception committee to follow the traditions on the presence of Swamijis of all the eight mutts at the Darbar, towards striving for the unity of the society, and for upholding the principles of harmonious coexistence and tolerance by inviting Puttige Swamiji.

Deviprasad Shetty, Arun Shetty Padur, Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, B Jayakar Shetty Indrali, Vasudeva Rao, G Vasudeva Bhat, Santosh Shetty, and Keerti Shetty Ambalpady were members of the above delegation.