Pics/Report: Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Jan 13: Udupi Paryaya is world-famous. This time, the celebrations will be held with a blend of social and cultural harmony, making it a Paryaya of and for the devotees of Udupi. All devotees should come forward and help make the first Sarvajna Peetharohana (Paryaya) of Udupi Shiruru mathadhipathi, Shri Vedavardhanatirtha Shripada of the Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya Moola Mahasamsthanam, Shri Vamana Tirtha tradition, a grand success, said Udupi MLA and president of the Paryaya welcome committee Yashpal A Suvarna.
He was speaking while presiding over a meeting organised by the Paryaya welcome committee with devotees from the Mumbai metropolitan region, held on Tuesday evening at the auditorium of Hotel Sai Palace Grand, Evershine Nagar, Malad West.
Bunts Sangha Mumbai president Praveen Bhoja Shetty, former president of Bombay Bunts Association CA Surendra K Shetty, Ravi S Shetty (Sai Palace), Ermal Harish Shetty and former executive director of Indian Overseas Bank Dr M Narendra were present on the dais. Senior and prominent entrepreneur of Brihanmumbai Krishna Y Shetty inaugurated the meeting by lighting the lamp.
Recalling the late Shiruru Lakshmi Varatirtha, MLA Yashpal Suvarna said that Shiruru Paryaya 2026–2028 of Shri Shiruru Math, one of the eight maths of Udupi and part of the Shri Vamana Tirtha tradition, has been bestowed upon all of us—devotees of Shri Krishna and well-wishers of the math—to be made a spiritual and social success. He called upon everyone to work together in unity to make it a grand success.
Mahesh R Shetty Tellar, Praveen Bhoja Shetty, Ermal Harish Shetty, Dr M Narendra and CA Surendra K Shetty also spoke on the occasion and wished that the Paryaya festival of Shiruru Vedavardhanatirtha be held in a historic manner. They appealed to everyone to contribute generously and participate in large numbers.
Paryaya welcome committee secretary Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, in his introductory address, said that the festive spirit of the Paryaya Mahotsava will once again be witnessed at the abode of Shri Krishna in Udupi. Shiruru Shri Vedavardhanatirtha Shripada will ascend the Sarvajna Peetha for the first time and will be engaged in the worship of Shri Krishna for the next two years. He said that the service of all devotees is essential on this auspicious occasion.
He further said that after offering prayers and darshan to all deities of the Udupi kshetra, with Shri Panduranga Vittala along with Shri Rukmini and Satyabhama—the presiding deities of the Jagadguru Shri Madhwacharya-established math—the Swamiji has already begun the Paryaya preparations by visiting sacred pilgrimage centres and has made a ceremonial entry into Rajatapeethapura. As the pontiff will soon take Paryaya diksha, he appealed to all to serve wholeheartedly and seek the blessings of Shri Krishna. He also urged heads of various organisations, devotees, admirers and disciples to extend their full support to the revered pontiff, who will be ascending the Paryaya Peetha for the first time.
Also present were Paryaya Horekanike committee co-convener Sharath Hegde Panjala (Renjala), Kuppettu Praveenkumar Hegde, Belmannu Sharath Hegde, Balakrishna Shetty Ulepadi, P Dhananjaya Shetty, CA Sudheer RL Shetty, Premanath Shetty, K Premanath Shetty, Ramesh Shetty (Modern), Manohar Thonse, Prakash Shetty Borivili, Kishan Shetty and several other dignitaries, devotees and well-wishers, who extended their best wishes for the success of the Paryaya Mahotsava.
MLA Yashpal Suvarna distributed invitation letters and invited sevathis to participate. Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde welcomed the gathering, introduced the dignitaries, compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.