Pura Pravesha ceremony of to be ‘Prayaya Peethadhipathi’ Puthige seer Sugunendratheertha Swamiji was held on Friday, thus commencing the month long cultural, religious programmes to be held in the temple town of Udupi.
Puthige seer was seen all the more confident after bagging support from Admar Math senior pontiff Vibhudeshatheertha Swamiji over the paryaya issue. With the Pura pravesha, Udupi city is set to turn into a forum of discussion, arguments and counter arguments over Puthige seer’s peetharohana issue.
Puthige seer was welcomed with all pomp and gaiety at Jodukatte at 4.30 pm. The Seer entered the City carrying the statue of the principle deity of the Math Lord Vittala and accepted garlands from dignitaries, guests and others.
The procession commenced at Jodukatte and passed through Diana circle-Koladapete-Thenkupete and reached Car Street. On entering the Shree Krishna temple premises, Shiroor Math seer Lakshmivara Swamiji welcomed Puthige seer right in front of Shiroor Math. Later Puthige Seer took darshan of Lord Krishna from ‘Kanakana Kindi’ and moved on to Chandramaulishwara and Anantheshwara temples.
Puthige seer reached Shree Krishna Math at 7 pm and offered prayer to Lord Shree Krishna and went to Puthige Math and offered prayers to the deity in the math.
Traditions broken
The usual practice is that the seers of remaining seven maths welcome the to be Prayaya swamiji during the Pura Pravesha. But ironically during the Pura Pravesha ceremony on Friday, no pontiffs from remaining maths ever came to Jodukatte to welcome Sugunendratheertha Swamiji.
Another ancient practice is that the present Prayayapeethadipathi personally receives the to be Paryayadhipathi and takes him to the Shree Krishna temple for the darshan. But on Friday Prayayapeethadipathi Shri Krishnapura Math Pontiff did not receive Puthige seer, thus openly hinting his opposition.
Procession
The “pura pravesha” procession was a lavish spectacle in itself with the seer being brought to the city in an elaborate procession comprising of chanting of Veda goshas, ‘kombu kahale,’ bajana teams, saxophone, band sets, various flags indicating sanctity of Hinduism, vehicles displaying the pictures of former seers of Putthige Math, variety of colourful umbrellas. On the procession path, the devotees flocked in large numbers to seek blessing  and Math principle deity Lord Vittala.