Karnataka - Udupi   

Temple town gearing up for the grand Paryaya

Staff Correspondent

Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji

UDUPI: Residents here are eagerly waiting to celebrate the Paryaya festival on January 18. All arrangements for the festival are in final stages.

Paryaya, a popular festival in this region, has a history dating back to the 13th century. "Paryaya'' in Sanskrit means change or transition. In this context, it means a biennial festival to celebrate the transfer of authority of exclusive rights of worship and management of Sri Krishna Temple from one seer of the eight mutts ("Ashta Mutts'') to another. The right to occupy the "Paryaya Peetha'' (also called the "Sarvajnya Peetha'') of Taulava Madhwas, which is situated at "Simhasana Shala'' in Sri Krishna Temple, consecrated by Sri Madhwacharya, exponent of Dwaita philosophy, also gets transferred on the occasion.

The seer, who gets these rights of worship, is known as "Paryaya Swamiji,'' and his mutt is referred to as "Paryaya Mutt.'' The swamiji enjoys a two-year tenure. The eight mutts are Sri Palimar Mutt, Sri Admar Mutt, Sri Krishnapur Mutt, Sri Puttige Mutt, Sri Shiroor Mutt, Sri Sode Mutt, Sri Kaniyur Mutt and Sri Pejawar Mutt.

Tradition has it that Sri Madhwacharya appointed eight seers in 1298 to propagate Dwaita philosophy and Paryayas then lasted only for two months. This system changed in 1532 when Sri Vadiraja Theertha Swamiji of Sri Sode Mutt introduced the biennial system. The biennial Paryaya festival in Udupi falls on the fourth day after "Makara Sankranthi'' in the even years of Christian era.

Many rituals precede the Paryaya festival and preparations begin a year before the event. These rituals are "Bale Muhurta," "Akki Muhurta," "Kattige Muhurta" and "Bhata Muhurta." About four months before ascending the Paryaya Peetha, the new "Paryaya Swamiji" undertakes a pilgrimage to propagate the Dwaita philosophy. He takes "Samsthana deities'' of his mutt with him and is accompanied by an entourage.

According to tradition, he has to visit Dwarka, Mathura, Hrishikesh, Haridwar, Prayag, Gaya, Kashi, Puri and Tirupati. He has to take a dip in the holy Narmada, Yamuna, Ganga, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tungabhadra, Nethravati and the Kumardhara. It is customary for the swamiji to visit holy places in Tulunadu such as Pajakakshetra, Dandathirtha and Kukke-Subrahmanya. The nationwide tour of the swamiji is always undertaken in a clockwise direction. The swamiji cannot move out of the Car Street here during his Paryaya tenure.

Nearly 15 days before the Paryaya festival, the swamiji returns to Udupi where he is given a warm welcome. This is called "Pura Pravesha.'' The swamiji enters the temple town in a large procession that culminates on Car Street. He then visits Sri Chandreshwara and Sri Ananteshwara temples and reaches Sri Krishna Temple where he offers prayers. He then enters his mutt. A civic reception is accorded to the swamiji on Car Street.

A couple of days before the Paryaya festival, the "Hore Kanike'' procession is held. Devotees bring vegetables, pulses, coconuts, rice and other items for mass feeding at Sri Krishna Temple. These items are brought in a procession to the temple where the new "Paryaya Swamiji" accepts them.

The new "Paryaya Swamiji" goes to Dandathirtha, 10 km from Udupi, the night before the Paryaya festival. On the Paryaya day, he wakes up at 3 a.m., takes a dip in the holy pond there and comes to Udupi at 4 a.m. where he is welcomed by the swamijis of other mutts and devotees at "Joddu Katte.'' A grand procession begins. The main deity of the Paryaya Mutt is kept in a decorated golden palanquin and taken in the procession. The incoming "Paryaya Swamiji" and other swamijis participate in it. When the procession culminates on Car Street, the new "Paryaya Swamiji" goes to "Kanakanakindi" and Chandreshwara and Ananteshwara temples. He is then received by the outgoing "Paryaya Swamiji" at the entrance of Sri Krishna Temple.

Both swamijis go to the "Madhwa Sarovar'' and enter the sanctum sanctorum and offer prayers. They then proceed to "Simhasana Shala'' where the outgoing swamiji hands over "Akshaya patra'' (a vessel dating back to the times of Sri Madhwacharya) and the temple keys to the new "Paryaya Swamiji," marking the formal transfer of power. Both swamijis then go to "Badagu Mallige'' where a reception is held for all swamijis. All swamijis then go in a procession to Rajangana where a "darbar'' is held. The outgoing swamiji bids farewell, while the new "Paryaya Swamiji" announces his plans for the next two years.

Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji of Sri Krishanapur Mutt will ascend the Paryaya Peetha on January 18. This will be his third Paryaya.

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Temple town gearing up for the grand Paryaya

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