Udupi: Hundred years old tradition ritual ‘Kattige Muhurtha’ (storing of firewood for cooking ‘Anna Prasada’) prior to the paryaya function was performed at Sri Krishna Mutt here, on August 21.
Symbolically, devotees carry loads of firewood and come in a procession around the main Car Street to the backyard of Sri Krishna Mutt and accumulate the firewood in a artistic manner like chariot. The wood will be utilized during the next two years of Paryaya period.
The preparatory process of main Paryaya festival, ‘Bale Muhurtham’ (planting of Banana saplings) and ‘Akki Muhurtham’ (storing of rice) was performed earlier. After ‘Kattige Muhurtha’, the process of ‘Biennial Paryaya’ will culminate with the fourth and final leg preparation of ‘Bhattha Muhurtha’ (storing of paddy) which will be held during December this year.
Though these are the regular functions which take place every two years prior to Paryaya, this time it is special as Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar mutt ascended the Paryaya Peeth for the fifth time.
No seer of the Ashta Mutts (or eight mutts) of Udupi has ascended the Paryaya Peetha for the fifth time, since the biennial Paryaya system was introduced in 1522 A.D.
The Paryaya will be in the month of January next year. The 84-year-old Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swami ascended the peetha in the year 1952, 1968, 1984 and 2000.
