With less than 24 hours left for the biennial paryaya at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt, a solution to the raging controversy appeared bright on Wednesday midnight with seers strongly inclined  to allow Puttige seer Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji to perform Krishna pooja without touching the idol.

“The seers have agreed to this and some finer points have to be sorted out,” sources told Deccan Herald.

“The seers have agreed to allow Puttige seer to perform all poojas, including ascension to Sarvajna peetha, but with a condition that he (the seer) shall not touch the idol,” sources added.

Efforts to find an amicable solution gained momentum with the arrival of a representative from Mantralaya’s Raghavendra Mutt, Sumeendra Acharya, who is trying to thrash out differences between the seers of Asta mutts.

One of the suggestions made at the meeting included that all the eight mutt seers be allowed to peform the 14 poojas for Krishna during this two-year paryaya. However, the seers later agreed that Sugunendra Theertha be allowed to perform the pooja without touching the idol.

Interestingly, the Shiroor Mutt seer came out of the meeting hailing Puttige seer, giving an indication that Sugunendra Thirtha might be allowed to perform the pooja.

The Raghavendra Mutt representatives, in a brief interaction with the media, expressed confidence the issue would be resolved before rituals begin. “Talks were held without any major conditions. However, one or two minor issues that cropped up will be resolved by Thursday.”

However, Mr Haridas Bhat, a spokesperson for Pejawar Mutt, maintained the deadlock continues and there has been no forward movement.

“The Puttige seer added one extra condition which was discarded by all seers,” he said and added the condition was related to Krishna pooja.

Apparently, he meant Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji is firm that Puttige seer should not perform the pooja and should appoint a junior seer to carry out poojas.

In yet another interesting development shortly after midnight, a vehicle bearing registration number MH-05 AF 9009 picked up Pejawar seer and Puttige seer and went to an undisclosed location outside Udupi.

After their return, Pejawar seer told waiting media persons all problems would be solved by next morning.

To High Court

Meanwhile, the two devotees of Lord Krishna who lost their suit against Puttige seer Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji before a Udupi civil court are likely to move the Karnataka High Court, seeking similar relief, reports DHNS from Bangalore.

Harish Bhat and another devotee had filed a suit before the Civil Judge (Junior Division), Udupi, for an injunction against Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji’s ascending of the Paryaya Peetha. The Udupi Court had on Monday, dismissed their suit saying that they have no locus standi in the issue.