Udupi: Shiroor Swami Performs Kattige Muhurat Ahead of Third Paryaya
Report and Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (RD/SP)
 
Udupi, Jul 14: Kattige Muhurat, a customary ritual preceding the taking over of Paryaya by the spiritual head of one of the Mutts here, was performed near the Madhwa Sarowar, located at Sri Krishna Mutt, here in preparation for the third term of Paryaya of Sri Laxmivarateertha Swami of Shiroor Mutt, at 8.55 am on Tuesday July 14.
 
Swami Laxmivarateertha offered prayers to the deities Chandramauleshwar, Ananteshwar and Sri Krishna and conducted the Muhurat by gathering the select firewood brought in a procession to the spot where firewood for the Paryaya will be stacked. 

 
Addressing a gathering of devotees on the occasion, Swami Laxmivarateertha said that during the two-year term of his forthcoming third Paryaya, he would embark upon a plan of providing free food offerings to all the devotees from 12-00 pm 12-00 am, besides focussing on cleanliness and hygiene. 
 
During Swami Laxmivarateertha's first term of Paryaya, the idol of Lord Sri Krishna was decorated with 200 kinds of decorative artices made out of silver and other precious metals.  During the second term of his Paryaya, free food offerings during afternoon, construction of Navagraha shrine and construction of Mathura auditorium were undertaken and also the deity of Sri Krishna was decorated in 300 things. Besides, a golden chariot was also made for placing the deity during processions.

 
During his forthcoming third Paryaya, he has plans to complete the remaining works of Mathura auditorium and to pave way for the easy access to the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Sri Krishna Mutt, to thousands of devotees who throng the Mutt every day, as the existing system of winding way causes lot of inconveniences to them. 
 
The ˜Bhatta(paddy) Muhurat', another customary procedure ahead of the Paryaya enthronement in January 2010, will be held in November this year, the Swamiji added.