Udupi: Pre-paryaya ritual held with pomp and gaiety

Pics by Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 15 Feb 2013: As part of the preparations for the Paryaya Mahotsav in January 2014, ’akki muhurtham’ was held at Sri Kaniyoor Mutt, Udupi, with various ceremonies at Meena Lagna muhurtham on Thursday at 8.45 am. ’Akki Muhurtham’ is a ritual where the next paryaya pontiff collects grains and groceries for mass feeding during the paryaya administration.

 

’Akki Muhurtham’ is a ritual denoting the preparation of the paryaya ascending pontiff Sri Kaniyoor Mutt seer collecting rice and groceries from devotees for mass feeding during the paryaya administration.

 

 

This ritual was carried out amidst the presence of pontiffs of other mutts. Sri Kaniyoor Mutt seer Vidyavallabha Theertha Sawmiji had prayers for the presiding deity of the mutt ’Shree Yoga Narasimha and at Sri Anantheshwara temple. He proceeded towards Sri Krishna Mutt and goshala to offer prayers. The decorated ’Akki Mudi’ was kept in the palanquin and was taken out in the procession amidst the beating of ’chande’ to Kaniyoor mutt that passed around Car Street. Later an auspicious light was lit to perform ’aarthi’ at the mutt.

 

Speaking on the occasion Sri Kaniyoor Mutt Swamiji Vidyavalabha Theertha said that both physical and psychological health equally important for practicing the religion. Hence accumulation of rice and groceries required during Paryaya administration for the mass feeding purpose which marks the formal ceremony of Akki Muhurtham, he added. Food and intellectual feeding to ones body and mind will be carried out by the mutt, he said.

 

Seer he has plans to organize religious discourses in Udupi. for which orators from various parts of the state will be called to address the devotees.

 

The seer has travelled to Kerala, Tamil Nadu as part of pre-paryaya rituals and will take up his North India visit after ’Chathurmasya’. Senior pontiffs Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt and pontiffs of other mutts like Palimar, Krishnapur, Sode, Puttige were present.