Sleepless Udupi witness another Paryaya

The temple town of Udupi in all its grandeur II Image Source: Shivakant Menon

Udupi: The land of temples, witnessed the grandeur of Paryaya Utsav after year-long preparations on Jan 17th and 18th.

The city was adorned with lights for the festival, a feast to the eyes of all the devotees of Lord Krishna, tourists and general public. Within the holy space of the 800 year old Sri Krishna Math, the change of power shifts from the existing seer of the Ashta Maths to the next most deserving seer who gains all rights of worship and management of the temple, until the next Paryaya.

The previous Swamiji Sugunendra Tirtha descended the steps of the Paryaya Peetha to give way to Sri Lakshmivara Tirtha who becomes the 30th seer. Sri Krishna Temple culminates 14 Pujas every single day of the year, which is one among the many responsibilities of the Seer.

The first night of the Utsava was a glamorous spectacle for all visitors including the residents of Udupi, who remained awake to the radiated glamour of their city.The holy night not only glows in spirituality but also proved to be a profitable venture for many road-side vendors who lined up the streets leading to the temple. From hot-mehendi tattoos, to wooden rings and Tablas, the place was buzzing with excited buyers.

“This is our make-or-break day in the month and also one of the most important days in the coming year. We all pray that we have a good start. We sleep only a few hours before the massive throng arrives to greet the new Swamiji who reaches the town around 4 a.m.”, said one of the vendors selling incense sticks at the venue.

The festive spirit is not only captured inside the Temple area but is also spread cross the town in various places with staged performances of devotional songs, classical music, classical and cinematic dance and various other traditional art programs.

Along with activities of feeding the masses twice a day and more than providing free lunch for 22,000 children, the Math also facilitates free health care to the poor. It stands as a symbol of generosity in the new society as it diverts majority of its income to the betterment of the community, with various activities aimed at promoting and preserving the culture and standard of living of the under-privileged.

Sri Lakshmivara Tirtha aims at developing the temple with the advent of technology and also increasing the quality of meals provided, ensuring better darshan of the deity to the spiritually inspired visitors. Although his holiness is associated with generosity and peace, interestingly, he is apparently a student of Karate as well.

Sub-edited by: Kerban Billimoria