Udupi Paryaya: Dhanya Muhurtha held with religious fervor

Team Udayavani, Dec 6, 2023, 5:50 PM IST

In preparation for the Sri Sugunendra Theertha Sripada’s ascendance to the Sarvajna Peetha during the upcoming ‘Paryaya’ celebrations, the fourth and final Dhanya Muhurta rituals were held on December 6.

Sri Sugunendra Theertha Sripada, who heads the Sri Puthige Matha – one of the Ashta Mathas of Udupi, is set to assume the Sarvajna Peetha for the fourth time during the biennial ‘Paryaya’ to be held on January 18, 2024.

The Muhurta commenced with morning prayers at the Vithala deity of Puthige Matha, followed by a procession visiting various shrines and offering prayers along the route. Upon returning to Puthige Matha, ceremonies including grain offerings, worship, and Krishna Tala kirtanas were held, alongside paying respects to representatives from different Mathas and scholars.

Dhanya Muhurta Religious Ceremony

Under the leadership of Raghavendra Kodancha, the Dhanya Muhurta religious ceremony took place, marked by the placement of a wooden chariot near the Madhva Sarovar with Puthige Sri gracing this occasion.

The collection of grain during the Ghandya Muhurat holds religious significance as it provides food offerings for devotees attending the Puthige ceremony, scheduled to run for two years from 2034.

Words of Wisdom from Sri Sugunendra Theertha

During a religious meeting held at Puthige Matha hall, Sri Sugunendra Thirtha Sripada delivered a sermon calling for internal meditation, introspection, and reflection on Bhagavad while offering worship and stressed the need for God’s grace alongside human effort.

Paryaya Reception Committee Chairman Dr. HS Ballal, Municipal Commissioner Rayappa, and others were present during the religious meeting. Dr. Ballal offered prayers while the committee highlighted the opportunity for Udupi locals to serve both devotees and God.

Bhuvanabhirama Udupa, Harikrishna Punaruru, Jayakara Shetty, Ranjan Kalkura, B. Gopalacharya, Muralidhara Acharya, Prasanna Acharya, Manjunath Upadhyay, Srinagesh Hegde, V.G. Shetty, K. Udaya Kumar Shetty, Ashok Kumar Kodavuru, Dinesh Putran, Subrahmanya Upadhyay, Raghavendra Bhatt, Madhwaramana Achar, Raghavendra Tantri, Sridhara Upadhyay, Vidwan Herga Hariprasad were present.

Home Hospitality for Guests

Paryaya Committee Executive Chairman K. Raghupathi Bhat mentioned the preparations made for city decorations and offered a chance for families to register for guest hospitality. Preparations have been made for festive lighting and decorations, starting with the Kapu Dandatirtha to the city for the Paryaya festivities, he added.

It was announced that ahead of the Paryaya, the district collector will confer civil honors upon Sri Sugunendra Theertha Sripada and attendees upon their arrival into the city on January 8.

The specially designed invitation cards for Puthige Paryaya 2024 – 2026 were unveiled to distribute to a vast audience.

Preserve Culture and Traditions: Dr Heggade

On this occasion, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade emphasized preserving culture and traditions by disseminating the essence of the teachings of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita to the world. He asserted the necessity of attention to religion, culture, and values for the continuity of heritage. It is imperative to impart this alternate culture and education to students and youth, he said.

“Satisfaction is attained through service to the divine and accumulating enough goodwill for generations. Let us all immerse ourselves in the river of culture to purify ourselves. May it bring blessings to the nation and the world,” he said.