Pics: Nithin Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jan 17: The sacred city of Udupi has been transformed into a vibrant spiritual hub as it prepares to host the Shiroor Paryaya Mahotsava, marking the first Paryaya of His Holiness Sri Vedavardhana Theertha Sripadaru of Shiroor Math.
With elaborate arrangements in place, the historic religious event is set to be conducted in a systematic, grand and devotional manner, with the active cooperation of the people of Udupi.
Udupi MLA and president of the Paryaya Welcome Committee, Yashpal Suvarna, said all essential preparations for the Mahotsava had been completed. “The city of Lord Sri Krishna has been beautifully decorated to welcome devotees from across the country. The Paryaya will be celebrated with utmost discipline, tradition and spiritual fervour,” he said.
More than two lac devotees are expected to participate in the Paryaya celebrations. Special emphasis has been placed on crowd management, security, sanitation, transportation and annadaanam arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe experience for pilgrims.
As part of the Mahotsava, annadaanam (community meals) arrangements have been made on a massive scale. Annadaanam was served to around 40,000 devotees from 7.30 pm onwards at the Sri Nityananda Swamy Temple area near the Udupi City Municipal Office and the Sri Krishna Math parking area. On January 18, a public Maha Annadaanam for nearly 50,000 devotees will be held from 11.30 am at the Sri Krishna Math parking premises.
During the Paryaya Darbar, Sri Vedavardhana Theertha Swamiji will honour five distinguished achievers from various fields with the prestigious “Sri Krishnanugraha Award”, recognising their contributions to society.
The traditional Paryaya rituals will commence in the early hours of January 18.
The schedule includes a holy dip at Dandatheertha near Kapu at 1.15 am, followed by the grand Paryaya procession from Jodukatte at 2 am. Darshan of Lord Sri Krishna at Kanakana Kindi, along with Sri Chandramouleeshwara and Sri Anantheshwara, will take place at 5.15 am, followed by Sarvajna Peetharohana by the Shiroor Swamiji at 5.45 am.
The traditional Darbar will be held at Badagu Maalige Aralu Gadde Gaddige, followed by the Paryaya Darbar assembly at Rajangana at 6.15 am, where blessings will be delivered by the Ashta Mathadhipatis and the Paryaya Peethadhipati.
The celebrations will culminate with the Maha Pooja and Pallapooja of Lord Sri Krishna at 10.30 am.
A grand Paryaya procession featuring over 85 art troupes from different states, colourful tableaux and cultural performances will proceed from Jodukatte to Sri Krishna Math from 2 am on January 18, adding splendour to the historic event.
The Paryaya Darbar will witness the presence of several revered seers and eminent dignitaries, including Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala; Mysuru Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar; union minister H D Kumaraswamy; home minister G Parameshwara; MP Kota Srinivasa Poojary; BJP state president B Y Vijayendra; along with several MLAs, ministers, senior officials and industrialists.
As part of the Sri Shiroor Paryaya celebrations, religious discourses and cultural programmes will be held daily from January 18 to 27 at Rajangana, Udupi. The line-up includes renowned artistes and scholars such as Pandit Mahesh Kale, Vijay Prakash, Ranjani Gayatri, Sandeep Narayan, Shashank Subramanyam, and a grand dance drama on Sri Madhwacharya.
With meticulous planning and elaborate arrangements, the Shiroor Paryaya Mahotsava promises to be a spiritually enriching and culturally vibrant celebration, reaffirming Udupi’s legacy as a centre of devotion, tradition and harmony.