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Udupi, Feb 5:  Ashta Mathadhipathies have now agreed to join Paryaya Puttige Mutt pontiff Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji in worshipping Lord Srikrishna on a condition that the latter should not touch the idol while offering poojas. With this, the long standing controversy over Puttige Swamiji’s foreign tour, his ascending the Paryaya Sarvajna Peetha and worshipping Lord Krishna has come to a halt.

After ascending the Sarvajna Peetha, though Puttige Swamiji offered poojas to Lord Krishna, but he had abstained from performing poojas like Abhisheka Pooja and Alankara Pooja, which required touching the idol. Shiroor Mutt pontiff Sri Laxmivara Theertha Swamiji used to offer those poojas on behalf of Puttige pontiiff.

Replying to presspersons, Puttige Swamiji said: “As many of the Ashta Matadhipathies had boycotted the Paryaya festival, there was a complex situation. But, on the other hand, many of our disciples, followers had been offering poojas, observing fast in favour of me ascending the Sarvajna Peetha.

Now, I have successfully ascended the Peetha. Moreover, all the Ashta Matadhipathies have now agreed to perform poojas to Lord Krishna and the row over the Krishna pooja has been settled amicably.”

Sources in the mutt circle told this website’s newspaper that on Monday morning, Shiroor Swamiji did not attend to perform pooja. In that case, as all other mathadhipathies had abstained from performing Krishna pooja during the Puttige Paryaya, Puttige Swamiji himself would have to perform all the poojas, including those which required touching the idol.

In such a case, all other mathadhipathis would have missed the opportunity of offering pooja to Lord Krishna for the next two years. Kaniyoor Swamiji who learnt of the situation, approached Puttige Swamiji and offered to perform pooja.

Puttige Swamiji readily agreed. Pejawar Mutt pontiff Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji, who was in Bijapur, faxed press statement to the media which read: “In the interest of cordial relationship, co-operation and unity among the Ashta Mutts and as Puttige Swamiji has agreed to accept all the important suggestions regarding the constitution of Asta Mutts, we have agreed to offer poojas to Lord Krishna, on the days convenient to us. I hope that all the Ashta Matadhipathies would co-operate.

I will participate in Krishna pooja as soon as possible. I am happy that the Paryaya controversy is over.” Adamaru Mutt junior pontiff Sri Vishwapriya Theertha Swamiji, Krishnapura Mutt pontiff Sri Vidyasagara Theertha Swamiji and Sode Mutt pontiff Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha Swamiji, said in a joint press release that Puttige Mutt pontiff Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji ascended the Paryaya Sarvajna Peetha on his own against the shasthras and also against the majority opinion of the Ashta Mathadhipathies.

“As long as Puttige Swamiji does not touch the idol of Lord Krishna, we are committed to perform Krishna pooja”, they added.