Mangaluru: The resplendent coronation rituals appointing the new chief (raja) to Kadali Yogeshwara Mutt kick started on Friday, February 26, with the traditional ‘purapravesha’ ceremony.
Sri Nirmalnathji, who will be coronated to the mutt through a series of ritual over the next 12 days was welcomed to the city by dignitaries at Kottara Chowki.
MLA J R Lobo, BJP leader Ganesh Karnik among others extended a warm welcome to Sri Nirmalnathji and a huge congregation of people who came to the city to witness the historic event from various parts of the country.
Senior Vedic scholar Vittal Das tanthri will lead the religious rituals of the ceremony.
A procession will be taken out from Kottara to Kadali Math via Kottara, Urwa Store, Lady Hill, Kudroli, Car Street, Hampankatta, PVS, Bunts Hostel, Mallikatte and Kadri temple.
Various cultural and religious programmes will be held in the evenings at the Mutt from February 26 – March 7. A Hore Kanike will be taken from Mangaladevi temple to the Kadali Mutt via Kankanady, Mallikatte and Kadri temple starting from 3.30 pm on February 28 in the presence of temple trustee Ramanatha Hegde and Vinayananda.
Coronation to the Mutt is held once in 12 years. While seers belonging to all 12 sects of Nath Panth select the raja, only seers from Bairag, Kaplani, Nateshwari and Ganganath sects are eligible to become the raja.
The incumbent Mutt chief Sri Sandhyanathji will be felicitated on the occasion.
Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji, Sri Muktananda Swamiji of Kerinje, Sri Mohandas Swamiji of Manila, Sri Yogananda Swamiji Kondevooru, Yogi Sri Mahanth Adityanath, Sri Mahanth Shivanathji, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA JR Lobo, former MLZ Monappa Bhandary, Karnataka Bank CEO and MD P Jayarama Bhat, President of Bunt’s Association Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, President of AJ Group AJ Shetty will be present among others.
Kadali-Kadri connect
There is a special connect between Kadali Yogeshwar Mutt and Kadri temple. It is believed that since ages, the Kadali Mutt chiefs have led the Kadri Rathotsav from the front on horses. Likewise, the day prior to the Kadri Manjunatha temple procession, the Kadali chief pontiffs visit Mangaladevi temple and offer fruits, flowers and saree seeking the procession to be a smooth affair. The tradition is still in practice.
