Udupi: Puttige Mutt Swamiji Invites Sode Swamiji to Offer Prayers
Udupi, Jan 15 (DHNS): Sri Sugunendratheertha Swamiji of Puttige Mutt extended invitation to Sode Vadiraja Mutt's Sri Vishwavallabhatheertha Swamiji to visit Puttige mutt and seek blessings from Mutt deity “Panduranga Vittala”.
He also asked Sode swamiji to speak to him over the differences and sort out the issue amicably over the controversy of not inviting him to the Paryaya Darbar scheduled to be held on January 18.
Speaking to media persons, Puttige swamiji informed that coming under tremendous pressure from his followers, he will be obliged to take some decision over attending or not attending the Paryaya Darbar and traditional procession, if Sode swamiji fails to respond to his invitation before 6 pm on Sunday.
He said as per the tradition put forth by the Madhwa Philosopher and Saint Vadiraja Swami who belongs to Sode Vadiraja mutt, it is the responsibility of all the swamijis of Asta mutts to take part in the Paryaya celebrations on invitation from the incoming Paryaya swamiji and the remaining six swamijis will be the witnesses for the transfer of powers from the outgoing Paryaya swamiji to the incoming Paryaya swamiji.
“According to the traditions, the swamiji who is going to ascend the Paryaya throne should send a letter to all other mutts seeking permission to offer prayers to the deities’ of the respective mutts.
However I have not received any letter from Sode swamiji, rather I am inviting him to visit my mutt and offer prayers to Puttige mutt deity and receive blessings from the Lord. The traditions of Paryaya and Asta mutts hold greater significance in terms of spiritual and religious aspects. The swamijis are borne with the tasks of taking forward the legacy introduced by our ancestors,” he said.
“I remained silent till date to see that the controversy is solved by itself, however such possibilities seem to be bleak, hence I decided to break my silence. It is true that I visited USA in the year 1992, but the reason was absolutely an attempt to propagate Dharma across the frontiers of America where millions of Indians were eagerly waiting to get in touch with the lost spiritual and religious values.
Besides I have visited more than 20 countries across the globe to proliferate the messages of world peace. Unfortunately, my works have sent wrong signals among people and there has been no attempt done in order to know the real purpose of my foreign tour. Although in the upper layer, the controversy seems to be surrounded by the issue of foreign tour, I personally feel that there are few more issues which remain unknown to me,” he added.
Stating that the problems can be solved only through face to face communication between the two swamijis, Puttige swamiji said, except Krishnapur Mutt swamiji, I have been invited by all others for their Paryaya. I am hurt that whenever I tried speaking to Sode swamiji, he just ignored me.
Paryaya Shiroor swamiji Sri Laxmivaratheertha Swamiji who was present at the press conference, expressed his desire that Puttige swamiji should be invited to attend Paryaya Darbar.