Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Sep 10: Speaking at preparatory meeting of the Shree Shiroor Paryaya-2026, Vedavardhana Teertha Swamiji of Sri Shiroor Math, one of the Ashta Maths of Udupi, said, “Even speaking with devotees is a kind of service and a great responsibility. The service to devotees itself is the essence of the Paryaya. Shiroor Paryaya means it belongs to the people. The responsibility of this Paryaya lies with all devotees. The fruit of service is ‘prasada’, and devotees are required to receive this prasada. Hence, if everyone comes together and participates, all the rituals and worship of this Paryaya will be fulfilled.”
The preparatory meeting of the Shree Shiroor Paryaya-2026 was held on Tuesday at Shri Vishwesha Teertha Hall of Madhva Bhavan (Pejawar Math) in Santacruz East, Mumbai. Swamiji inaugurated the meeting by lighting the lamp, blessed the assembled devotees, and said, “When devotees themselves engage in services like Annadana (food distribution) and other offerings, they not only experience spiritual fulfillment but also feel the divine presence. Hence, all devotees of Mumbai must personally experience our Paryaya.”
In the evening, the seer visited Pejawar Math (Madhva Bhavan) at Santacruz (East), entered the sanctum of Lord Sri Krishna installed in the stone shrine of Pejawar Math, and offered Aarti. Later, amidst the resonating beats of Chende (traditional drums), devotees welcomed Swamiji onto the stage of the hall. On behalf of Sri Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha Trust, the priests of the Math, and devotees of Greater Mumbai, Dr Ramadasa Upadhyaya Renjala, the chief administrator of Pejawar Math, offered a floral garland and extended a warm welcome.
Udupi MLA and president of the Shiroor Paryaya Udupi Committee, Yashpal A Suvarna and Kapu MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty were present. They explained the importance of Shiroor Paryaya and urged the devotees of Mumbai to take responsibility for its success.
MLA Suresh Shetty remarked, “To carry a sacred palanquin, it takes many shoulders. To pull a temple chariot, the whole community must come together. Only those with divine fortune receive such opportunities. Similarly, make use of this chance to serve the Udupi Shiroor Paryaya of 2026 and be blessed.”
Vedavardhana Teertha Swamiji said, “We are preparing to conduct my first Udupi Shiroor Paryaya with unprecedented grandeur. Swamijis are the wealth of society. With the unity of devotees and religious well-wishers, this Paryaya will surely be successful.”
On this occasion, several dignitaries including Avinash Shastri (Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha Trust), Srihari Bhat Putthige (manager, Pejawar Math Mumbai), Niranjan Gogte, Sreesha Bhat, K Vishnumurthy Acharya, Raghavendra Upadhyaya (chief Archaka, Uchchila Mahalaxmi Temple), Sripati Bhat, Undaru Raghavendra Bhat (priest of Pejawar Math), Vishnuteerth Sali, Srinivas Bhat Parel, Dr M S Alva, Yermal Harish Shetty, Sharath Shetty Panjal (Belman), Dharmapal U Devadiga, Padmanabha S Payyade, Aravind A Shetty (Mira Road), Tellar Mahesh Shetty, Shekar J Salyan, Chandrashekhar S Shetty, Mundkur Ratnakar Shetty, Ravindra M Bhandary, Nandan Mallya (Mangalore), Lakshmikant Prabhu (GSB), Raghunath N Shetty, P D Shetty (Sion), Ashok Shetty (Borivali), and others attended and offered a traditional welcome to Swamiji.
Under the leadership of Shyamala A Shastri, the Madhvesh Bhajana Mandali, Santacruz and other bhajana groups of the city performed devotional singing. The Shiroor Paryaya Mumbai Committee was also formed on this occasion.
Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, general secretary of the Shiroor Paryaya Udupi Committee, delivered the introductory address. Dr Udaykumar Saralattaya, Diwan of Shiroor Math, welcomed the gathering, compared the programme, and proposed the vote of thanks.