Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 29: The Indian epics are replete with stories about Lord Vishnu's love for the double-leafed twigs of the holy basil plant and how He can be appeased by offering the holy basil twigs coupled with the chanting of hymns. Lord Vishnu's incarnations too exhibited His love for this plant.

On Sunday, Paryaya Puttige Mutt head Sri Sugunendrateertha Swamiji worshipped Lord Srikrishna, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu, by offering a crore holy basil twigs. Over a thousand Vedic scholars joined the Swamiji in chanting 'Vishnu Sahasra Namavali' on the occasion.  The twigs were showered, duly coupled with the chanting of different names of the Lord, to the replica of the Lord's idol established at the Rajangan here. Along with the Paryaya Swamiji, Pejawar Mutt Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji, Shirur Mutt Sri Lakshivarateertha Swamiji, Bheemanakatte Mutt Sri Raghumanyateertha Sripad and some other Swamijis also offered holy basil twigs to the Lord's idol. The original idol of the Lord was also worshipped with basil leaves.

Kota Shakara Sharma of Akhila Bharat Barhmin Mahasabha, president of its Andhra unit A Lakshminarayan, Kerala unit president Venkatarama Aiyar and entrepreneur from Bangalore Udaya Garudachar were present.