Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 18: Sri Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji of Palimar Math ascended Paryaya Peetha in the early hours of Thursday January 18 amid a grand ceremony that consisted of a vibrant procession and Paryaya Darbar.
This is Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji's second Paryaya term. Born on May 13, 1956 in Shibaroor near Kateel in Dakshina Kannada district, he completed his education in Kateel Durgaparameshwari High School. Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji was administered into religious order in 1979 in Admar Math by Vidyamanya Swamiji. He was appointed as a heir of Palimar Math.
The procession that began at 3.30 am witnessed thousands of devotees and tourists gathered from various parts of the state and the country, and even foreigners.
The procession began at Jodukatte and passed through Court Road, KM Marg, Triveni circle, Kanakadasa Road and culminated at Sri Krishna Math in Car Street.
Prior to the procession, Sri Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji took a holy dip in Dandateertha pond. On his return, he was accorded a rousing welcome at Jodukatte here by thousands of devotees who braved the early morning chill and joined the Paryaya procession. The swamijis of Ashta Maths, excluding Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math who waited to welcome his successor at Shree Krishna Math, were taken in palaquins. Like last year and the years before that, Puthige Swamiji did not take part in the procession due to differences between him and some of the other Swamijis. While the head of Sode Math and junior Swamiji of Admar Math were manually carried in palaquins, the other palaquins of the other Swamijis were carried atop vehicles. Shiroor Swamiji placed an idol of Lord Ganapati on the palaquin while he himself came in a decorated jeep.
The vibrant tableaxu, depicting scenes from Puranas and other scriptures, and the local folklore, accompanied the impressive procession. Cultural teams from various parts of the state made the procession a delight to watch. Chende sets, Dollu Kunitha, tiger dance, band sets from Mangaluru, Alevoor, Marpalli, Kunjargiri and other places, Nasik bands and so on added colour to the occasion.
After the procession reached Car Street, Palimar Swamiji took over his new charge at a designated time, after having the Darshan of Lord Sri Krishna through Kanakana Kindi, and handing out Nava Dhanyas to Brahmins. He also took the blessings of deities Sri Chandramouleshwara and Sri Anantheshwar. He then ascended the Sarvajnya Peetha.
Thereafter, a grand Paryaya Darbar was held at Sri Krishna Math, where the new Paryaya Swamiji was welcomed by his predecessor.
After the procession reached Sri Krishna Math, the Palimar Swamiji had the Darshan of Lord Krishna through Kanakana Kindi. He then proceeded to pay obeisance at the temples of Lord Anantheshwara and Lord Chandramouleeshwara. From there the Swamiji reached the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Kishna Math.
At Badagu Maliga of the Math, Akshaya Patra, ladle, and key of the Math were handed over to Palimar Swamiji to signify handing over of Paryaya charge. This was followed by Mini Darbar at Badagu Malige where crowning of the new Paryaya Swamiji took place and the Swamijis complimented each other.
Darbar was conducted at Rajangana thereafter. Speaking at the Darbar, Sri Vidyadheeshateertha Swamiji of Palimar Math expressed gratefulness to the God for giving an opportunity to officiate second Paryaya term of his life. At the same time, he reminded those present that he cannot celebrate or feel proud about this achievement as the Swamiji who created record for maximum number of Paryaya terms is with him. "Pejawar Swamiji has shown to the world how to run Paryaya term successfully," he said.
Palimar Swamiji then felicitated Pejawar Sri Vishveshateertha Swamiji as a measure of acknowledging the debt. Palimar Swmaiji said that Vadiraja had completed had completed four Paryaya periods during is life in the past, and Pejawar Swamiji has completed five terms. "I believe that Vadiraja got five Paryaya terms got officiated through Pejawar Swamiji out of his own will and divine blessings," he confessed. He said that with God's blessings, Pejawar Swamiji could achieve this feat. "Lord resides in everyone's heart. With his grace, and with the tasks undertaken by Pejawar Swamiji during his term , everyone will also turn fortunate and get divine care in abundance," he commented. He said it is easy to appease god through rituals and a look at Pejawar Swamiji gives divine vibes.
Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Hggade said that Pejawar Swamiji, from today, will be fully engaged with serving the people (Janata Janardhana) and that Palimar Swamiji will undertake service to 'Janardhana' from today. He recollected the contributions made by Pejawar Swamiji towards strengthening Hindu unity. He also said that towards ensuring that the one lac Tulasi twigs which Palimar Swamiji has decided to offer to the Lord everyday, with the help of Dharmasthala establishment, juice will be extracted and converted into medicine to ensure that the twigs offered to Lord Krishna do not go waste. He stressed that he would undertake responsibility of making sure that the Tulasi twigs are put to proper use.
In his address, Pejawar Swamiji noted that it is not easy to hold Lord Krishna in one place. "The only ways through which he can be kept under our control are through love and knowledge. But now, there is no knowledge, no love, and no feeling of renunciation among the people, although these qualities are required to earn the grace the Lord. Love of the people is now directed at their wives and families only. Knowledge has become a tool to earn money. A feeling of renunciation is felt only towards god," he said.
Pejawar Swamiji said that the next Paryaya is being conducted under the joint guidance of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama and that Palimar Swamiji has planned several ambitious projects during his term, all of which will prove beneficial for the world. "Any head of the Math here, who completes four Paryaya periods during his life, gets the title, 'Yathikula Chakravarthi'. I have completed five. I feel a sense of fulfillment because I could achieve this feat on account of the grace of the divine," he stated.
On the occasion, Palimar Swamiji felicitated Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Mohan Alva, high court judge, Justice Dinesh Kumar P S, district superintendent of police, Laxman Nimbargi, head of International Society for Krishna Consciousness Bengaluru, Madhupandanditadasa, Karnataka Bank managing director, Mahabaleshwar Rao several others.
Sri Vishwavallabhateertha Swamiji of Sode Math, Sri Vishwaprasannateertha Swamiji, junior Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Sri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji of Shiroor Math, Sri Vidyasagarateertha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math and Sri Ishapriyateertha Swamiji of Palimar Math were present.