Udupi: District in-charge and Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar on January 6 instructed the Udupi district administration to invest ₹6 crore to create and upgrade basic infrastructure in preparation for the Paryaya Mahotsava scheduled to be held on January 18. Emphasising the scale and importance of the event, the minister directed officials to ensure that all arrangements are completed without shortcomings.
The directions were issued during a video conference held to review the progress of preparations for the biennial religious event. The meeting was attended by legislators from the district and senior officials of the district administration. The minister noted that the Paryaya Mahotsava is expected to attract a very large number of devotees and visitors, making it essential for the administration to carefully assess and strengthen facilities required for the smooth conduct of the event.
Focus on infrastructure and civic works
Lakshmi Hebbalkar stressed that road development and other essential civic works in and around the town must be taken up on priority. She said that adequate infrastructure is crucial to manage the anticipated surge in traffic and pedestrian movement during the Paryaya.
Pointing out that only limited time remains before the event, the minister directed officials to take up the works in mission mode. She said day-and-night operations should be undertaken wherever necessary to ensure that all arrangements are completed on time and to the required standard.
The minister also emphasised that there should be no compromise on quality, despite the tight schedule, as the event holds immense religious and cultural significance.
Coordination with elected representatives
The minister underlined the importance of coordination and consensus while planning and executing preparations. She said all MLAs from the district should be taken into confidence in matters related to infrastructure development, traffic management, sanitation, and other arrangements connected with the Paryaya Mahotsava.
According to her, collective decision-making and cooperation among elected representatives and officials would help ensure effective implementation of plans and avoid last-minute issues.
Review meeting with MLAs and officials
The video conference was attended by Karkala MLA V. Sunil Kumar, Kundapur MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Byndoor MLA Gururaj Gantihole, and Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, among others. Udupi Deputy Commissioner T. K. Swaroopa also participated in the meeting and briefed the minister on the status of preparations and ongoing works.
Officials informed the minister about the measures being taken to improve roads, lighting, sanitation, drinking water supply, and crowd management systems in view of the large influx of devotees expected during the event.
Significance of Paryaya Mahotsava
The biennial Paryaya of Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt is one of the most important religious events in the region and attracts lakhs of devotees from across the state and the country. The Paryaya marks the ceremonial transfer of administration of the Sri Krishna Mutt to a new pontiff.
As part of the 2026 Paryaya, Vedavardhana Tirtha of Sri Shiroor Mutt will ascend the Sarvajna Peetha for the first time on January 18. The event is marked by religious rituals, processions, and various cultural and spiritual programmes spread over several days.
Hore kanike and annadhana arrangements
To facilitate annadhana for an estimated three lakh devotees during the 10-day Paryaya period, hore kanike offerings will be collected from households across eight zones. As part of this tradition, daily processions are scheduled to be held from January 10 to 17.
Officials said the hore kanike system plays a vital role in supporting the large-scale annadhana arrangements and requires meticulous planning to ensure smooth collection and distribution during the festival period.
Conclusion
With less than two weeks remaining for the Paryaya Mahotsava, the district administration has been urged to intensify its efforts to ensure comprehensive preparations. The allocation of ₹6 crore for infrastructure development is expected to significantly strengthen facilities and help manage the massive gathering of devotees, ensuring that the historic religious event is conducted smoothly and safely.