According to a settlement reached among the eight pontiffs of ashta maths, the other seers would cooperate with Puttige seer in performing the rituals to the idol of lord Krishna, provided he does so without touching the idol. Sripada ascended Paryaya on January 18 defying the other seers’ objection because of his foreign tour. The others had since then virtually isolated Sripada.

A press releases issued by the seers of Palimaru math, Admaru math, Krishnapur math, Kaniyur math and Sode math said the fact that Putthige seer had not performed the rituals to the Lord by touching the idol “from day 1” of the Paryaya made them arrive at this amicable solution.

The release also said this decision of the pontiffs will prevail until Putthige seer sticks to his assurance of not performing the pooja by touching the idol of the Lord.

A separate press release by Pejawar seer said that Putthige seer has agreed to all the conditions regarding the issue and having a written constitution for the astha maths.

“This enabled the pontiffs of the other maths to arrive at a consensus of lending their support to the Putthige seer during his Paryaya period,” it said.

Speaking to reporters at the Krishna math, Putthige seer expressed happiness over the new development and hoped that all the “misconceptions” would now cease.

He also informed that tightening of the security of the Krishna temple would be taken up on a priority basis in consultation with the SP of the district.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been assigned the responsibility of the security of the temple, he added.

The seer also informed that the temple authorities would provide a separate road for the movement of the public in the area.