Udupi: Shirur Swamiji Ascends Paryaya Peetha - Photo Album

Report and Pictures By Dr. Eugene D’Souza, Moodubelle
Photos by Umesh Marpally & Inchara Digitals
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
 
Udupi, Jan 18: Udupi in general and Shirur Mutt in particular, had been preparing for the grand biennial Paryaya since many months. As the Paryaya day was approaching, the city witnessed the hoardings of greetings being put up with Shri Lakshmivarateertha’s pictures, welcome arches being erected, buntings on both sides of the roads and streets and the roads being repaired and cleaned.
 
Devotees of Sri Krishna, followers of Sri Madhvacharya, founder of the Ashta Matthas, tourists and people in general from far off places, surrounding regions and the city of Udupi had started streaming in to the city from the evening of Sunday, 17th January 2010 to witness the grand carnival-like procession early the next morning. People in groups, with families, elderly, middle aged, young and even children were seen moving around the city in gaiety and expectation, enjoying the festive atmosphere of the Paryaya. Many people were seen shopping from the roadside hawkers lining the various streets leading to the temple and Mutts. Many were seen standing in queue to enter the Shirur Mutt and see its interior that had been thoroughly renovated. The decorative lighting of the temples and all the eight Mutts in the complex was mesmerizing, to say the least. The intermittent fireworks would make the people to look up in the sky for the shower of light. The streets and important buildings were also decorated with lights.

 
In order to keep the people busy and entertained till early morning, a number of musical concerts, both classical and orchestra had been arranged at different places. One such orchestra, known as Kalakar Orchestra, was in action near the ST Bus Stand, in which Kannada film star Diganth, who had acted in the Kannada film, ‘Manasare’ and Tulu film, ‘Kadalda Mage’, was present for some time.
 
Since early morning on Monday January 18, people in thousands had occupied all the vantage points on both the sides of the main road through which the procession was to pass through. In the high rise buildings, people could be seen in groups in balconies and even on the terraces.
 
In his brief speech, the Chief Minister promised a number of welfare measures for the Udupi city and district on the occasion of the Paryaya. Jatin Prasad and Oscar Fernandes also felicitated the Swamiji and spoke on this occasion, appreciating the Paryaya ceremonies. Jatin Prasad said that the Sri Krishna temple and the eight Mutts of Udupi are symbols of communal harmony. Oscar Fernandes, while tracing the 800 years history of Shri Krishna Temple, pointed out that a lot of welfare activities have been undertaken by these Mutts and hoped that under the Paryaya Swamiji, the good work will continue. Pramod Madhvaraj, chairman of the Paryaya Reception Committee, in his address, said that the Paryaya ceremonies have become the festival of the people. In his address, Sri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji thanked the people and others.
 
As the programme was going on, I could see a lonely pigeon picking up some grains on the floor of the Rajanagana Darbar, oblivious of the proceedings in the hall. It was not afraid of any one, neither any one tried to shoo it away. I felt that this pigeon is the symbol of peace and harmony for which the Sri Krishna temple and all the eight Mutts stand for and the peace and harmony that the country needs the most.
 
The law and order throughout the Paryaya festival also known as the ‘Nada Habba’ was excellent. In spite of heavy rush, people maintained excellent discipline and order. The police were courteous and the Mutt officials were cooperative. The experience of attending and participating in the Paryaya Festival since Sunday evening till 10.30 am on Monday morning was an experience of life time for me personally. I had never seen nor experienced such a vast gathering and such wonderful arrangements and solemn ceremonies and rituals that too as a reporter and photographer.