JOIN USThe seer is ascending the Paryaya Peetha for the third term. It is the custom and practice laid down by Sri Vadiraja Swami of Sri Sode Vadiraja Mutt, who introduced the Paryaya system, that the incoming pontiff should have a pilgrimage to important temples in the country to seek the blessings of the presiding deities of those temples and invite the devotees to visit Udupi during his term of Paryaya. This is because the incumbent seer cannot move out of temple premises for two years after ascending the Paryaya Peetha.
On his arrival at Kadiyali, Sri Lakshmivaratheertha Sripada was welcomed by several dignitaries including Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Sadananda Gowda, Udupi MLA K Raghupathy Bhat, Congress leader Pramodh Madhwaraj among others. The seer was later led in a colourful procession accompanied by Vedagosha, Dollu Kuneetha, Bhajana, Keelu Kudure, Hulivesha, Marakalu, Kumbha Kalasa, Nadaswara, Saxaphone and tableaux comprising various folk troupes.
The seer was later taken in a ‘Sarotu’ (Horse Chariot) after offering prayers at Kadiyali Mahishamardhini Temple. The chopper showered flower petals on the seer.
The statue of ‘Pattada Devaru Lord Vittala’ was taken in the decorated golden palanquin in the front.
The seer entering the downtown Car Street visited the old ‘Sri Anantheshwar’ and ‘Sri Chandramouleeshwar’ temples where he prayed for the success of his two year term Paryaya. The pontiff later visited the Sri Krishna temple where he offered special ‘poojas’ to both the presiding deity Lord Sri Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana (Lord Anjaneya).
He was greeted by the outgoing Paryaya seer Sri Sugunendratheertha Sripada of Putthige Mutt who is ending his third two year term on January 17 to handover the charges to the incoming seer.
Later, a civic public function was held where the incoming seer was felicitated by the President of Udupi City Municipal Council. Several other social and cultural organisations honoured him.