Higher Education Minister Dr V S Acharya said arrangements are in full swing for the smooth conduct of Paryaya celebrations to be held on January 18 where Sode Vadiraj mutt seer Sri Vishwavallabhatheertha Swamiji will ascend ‘Paryaya Peeta’ by taking charge of Sri Krishna temple from outgoing Paryaya Shiroor mutt seer Sri Laxmivaratheertha.

Speaking to the media persons, the Minister said that of the Rs three crores sanctioned by the government for the event, Rs two crore has already been released for providing better civic amenities.

Seeking active support from the public to make the festival a grand success, without paying attentions to the ongoing controversy over  the refusal of invitation by the Sode seer to the Puttige seer, the Minister said the problem is not new. On many occasions earlier, Swamijis had not attended the Paryaya procession and the Durbar.

Quoting the example of Puttige seer, he said that even without the support of Swamijis of Asta mutts Sri Sugunendratheertha Swamiji had successfully completed his third term of Paryaya during 2008-10. Even during his earlier two Paryaya, he had taken up several developmental activities in the premises of Sri Krishna temple. His effort in propagating Madhwa philosophies by visiting foreign nations should be appreciated, he said.

Acharya said that Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda who will arrive in Udupi on Tuesday evening to participate in the felicitation ceremony organized in honour of the outgoing pontiff of Shiroor Mutt Sri Laxmivaratheertha Swamiji at Sri Madhwa Vadiraja Mantap following which he will attend the centenary program of Udupi Cooperative Town Bank Limited. Chief Minister will participate in the Paryaya Festival to be held in wee hours on January 18.

Acharya informed that CM is scheduled to visit Karkala on January 28 for the inauguration of Koti Chennaiah Theme Park and for laying the foundation stone for Rs six crore Bandimata Bus stand project and Rs five crore road widening project, he added.