'Bale Muhurtham,' the first among the four important rituals performed before the ascension to Paryaya Peeta (Sarvajna Peeta) at Sri Krishna Mutt, was conducted by Admaru Mutt on Friday.
The Bale Muhurtham was performed by Mutt Pontiff Vishwapriya Teertha Swami, along with his junior Eshapriya Teertha Swami, signalling the launch of pre-Paryaya preparations.
Admaru Mutt, the second in line among the Ashta mutts, will ascend Paryaya Peeta on January 18, 2020.
After performing poojas at Lord Chandramoulishwara and Lord Anantheshwar temples, the procession carrying the guru and disciple entered Sri Krishna Mutt, where prayers were being offered to the presiding deity Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana.
The rituals were guided by the Tantri Shibaroor Vasudev Acharya and the Deewan Venkatramana Muchinttaya. Amidst the beating of drums and trumpets, the saplings of plantains were planted in many rows in the backyard.
Addressing devotees on the occasion, Vishwapriya Teertha Swami said that the rituals, which were environment friendly, had their own significance.
"I have no fresh projects as there are many programmes already initiated by the previous Paryaya pontiffs. I will continue the programmes of my predecessor and priority will be given to the devotees who visit the temple,” he stressed.
The seer said that providing hassle-free services to the devotees would be their programme during their two-year Paryaya. He refused to draw curtains on speculations on whether he or his junior will ascend the Paryaya Peeta.
"Who among us will get to perform poojas to Lord Krishna will be known only on the first Krishna Pooja held on January 18, 2020," he said.
Eshapriya Teertha said 10 acres of land in Handikallu in Chara village had been identified for growing plantain.
The number of plantain leaves required by the mutt for the next two years of Paryaya will be supplied by the youth in this village. The youth had come forward to take up cultivation. The mutt would require nearly 4,000 to 5,000 plantation leaves daily, he added.
After the Bale Mahurtham, ‘Akki Muhurtham’, ‘Kattige Muhurtham’ and ‘Bhattha Muhurtham’ will be held.