Udupi takes on festive hue for biennial Paryaya

Change of guard at Krishna Mutt in early morning ceremony today

The temple town wears a festive look for the biennial Paryaya. Palimaru Mutt seer Vidyadheesha Theertha Swami will ascend the Paryaya Peetha for the second time, in the wee hours of Thursday, in keeping with 800 years of the Krishna Mutt's legacy.

The entire town is decked up in festive colours, with the chanting of hymns and religious discourses taking place on Car Street.

The seer takes charge of the Krishna temple and pooja rights from the outgoing seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami of Pejawar Mutt.

Pontiffs of eight Mutts take over the affairs of the Krishna Mutt as per a rotation system started by Madhwacharya, who propounded the 'Dwaita' philosophy (dualism).

Earlier, the pontiffs performed pooja for two-month periods. Another saint Vadiraja Swami of Sode Mutt modified this system by introducing the biennial Paryaya system in 1522.

The Palimaru Mutt seer will leave Udupi on the previous night to a place called Dandatheertha near Kaup, to take a dip in the holy pond, following which he will enter Udupi city at Jodukatte. He will be received by the seers from the eight mutts, except the outgoing Pejawar Mutt seer.

The incoming seer will then be taken in a grand Paryaya procession to the Krishna Mutt. About 80 folk and cultural tableaux will take part in the procession. The seer will be received by outgoing seer Vishwesha Theertha at the entrance of the Mutt. He is taken inside the sanctum sanctorum where the reins of the temple are formally handed over to him.

The outgoing seer will also hand over articles like 'Akshaya Patra' and keys to the Palimaru seer in the presence of the other pontiffs.

An informal durbar will take place at the newly built venue for the purpose outside the temple premises. Later, a formal public durbar is held. The new incumbent then honours all the seers and other dignitaries.