Pics: Kevin Rodrigues/Madhav Pai Thonse
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Jan 18: Sri Eshapriya Theertha Swamiji of Admar Math ascended the Sarvajna Peetha in the early hours of Saturday, January 18 amid a grand ceremony that consisted of a vibrant procession. A traditional Darbar at Aralu gaddige was held at Badagumalige.
This is the first paryaya of Ishapriya and he is the 33rd Seer in the legacy or ‘Guru Parampara’. Shreesha was born on March 20, 1985, to Chandrashekhar S and Gouri, who reside at Shiroor village, near Hiriyadka.
Shreesha studied till PU at Tirthahalli in Shivamogga district. He completed his BE in Mechanical Engineering at the Jawaharlal Nehru National College of Engineering in Shivamogga in 2006. He was appointed as the heir of Palimar Math.
The Paryaya celebration began with the seer having a holy dip at the 'Danda Teertha’ in Kaup at around 1.30 am. Along with the ascending swamiji, Sri Vidyasagara Theerta Swamiji of Krishna Math, Sri Vidyavallabha of Kaniyur Math, Sri Vishwavallabha Theerta Swamiji of Sode Math, Sri Vishwaprasanna Theerta Swamiji of Pejavar Math participated in the procession.
Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Puttige Math and senior seer of Admar math did not participate in the procession. Followed by the Pattada Devaru 'Kaliya Mardana Krishna', procession was held. Swamiji Ishapriya was carried in a manual supported palanquin and rest of the Swamijis sat on the palanquin that were kept on the vehicles.
The procession began from Jodukatte, moved through Court road, Kalpana talkies, Kolada Pete, Thenkapete Road and culminated at Car Street, where he will get grand welcome and walks on white-coloured cloth spread over the ground as carpet.
After having darshan of Udupi Krishna through 'Kanakana Kindi,' Ishapriya Teertha Swamiji offered prayers at Chandramauleshwara and Anantheshwara Temples and also offered prayers to Lord Krishna and other deities inside the Math.
The procession that began at 2.30 am was witnessed by thousands of devotees and tourists gathered from various parts of the state and the country, including foreigners.
Akshaya Patra, ladle and key of the Math were handed over to Ishapriya Swamiji by Palimaru Swamiji to signify handing over of Paryaya charge.
In Paryaya, one among the eight pontiffs of Udupi Krishna Math, will be in charge of offering daily pooja to Lord Krishna. After this, he will get all power to worship Lord Shri Krishna. This was followed by Mini Darbar at Badagu Malige where crowning of the new Paryaya Swamiji took place and the Swamijis complimented each other. Tradition like Shodasha Upachara, Gandha Malike, exchange of greetings and receiving blessings from elder Swamijis were held. Religious discourses were also held.
A traditional touch is given to Paryaya Darbar also, which is made out of coconut leaves, cucumber, paddy and flowers. It will be held at 2.30 pm on Saturday, January 18. Anna Santharparpana will be served at 10 am.
In a massive procession, as many as 14 tableaux like Vedagosha, Kaliya Mardana Sri Krishna, Rama Mandira, Lord Anjaneya, representing Tulunada culture and Desi Cow breed were displayed. Five government department tableaux were displayed, which stressed upon Plastic ban, cleanliness, tourism and culture.
Other culture representing teams had arrived from different districts, Dollu Kunitha from Mysuru, Veeragase from Mandya, Pooja Kunitha from Ramnagar district, Jaggalike Vadya from Darwad, Kangilu from Udupi, Koragas Dolu Vadya, Bhajan teams, Chende and other 18 cultural, folk teams participated in the procession.
Tight security arrangements were made by the police department. Ambulance service and medical service was also present during the procession. More than 800 lanterns and 1000 miniature lights made the city look dazzling.
PPC students did the cleaning work. A separate team was formed by Udupi CMC. It has given more stress on sanitation and plastic free. There were more than 1,000 volunteers also who joined the service.
Thousands of devotees offered prayer to Lord Krishna and enjoyed the beauty and sanctity of Paryaya rituals.
Shobha Karandlaje, MP Udupi-Chikkamagaluru, K Raghupathi Bhat, MLA Udupi, former ministers Vinay Kumar Sorake, Pramod Madhwaraj, Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, district BJP president, U R Sabhapathi, and Sri Krishna Seva Samithi members were present.