Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia has came under severe criticism from the followers of Pejawar seer Vishwesha Thirtha Swami, after a photograph of him sitting cross-legged next to the seer went viral on social media.

The international working president of VHP, who is here for Dharma Sansad, is said to have shown 'disrespect' to the seer by sitting with his legs crossed during the inaugural ceremony of Hindu Vaibhava in Udupi on Friday.

The photo was widely circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

The three-day Dharma Sansad in Udupi begun with a Shobha Yatra on Friday. Pejawar seer, Shivarathri Deshikendra of Suttur Mutt, Nirmalanandanatha Swami of Adichunchunagiri Mutt, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade among others were present.

The three-day convention will see thousands of seers, mutt heads and VHP leaders from across the country discuss the issues like construction of Ram temple, prevention of religious conversions, and cow protection among others.

The Dharma Sansad would adopt resolutions on the concluding day November 26.