The 85-year old Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, a prominent face of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement, occupied the ‘Paryaya Peetha,’ also known as ‘Sarvajna
Peetha’, in the biennial event, witnessed by thousands of devotees and political leaders from across the State on Monday at temple town of Udupi in Karnataka.
The ‘Paryaya’ system denotes transfer of power, of exclusive rights, of worshipping the presiding deity at the famous lord Krishna temple at Udupi, a coastal town. Once in two years, it involves turn by turn management of Sri Krishna Mutt from one seer to another out of the Astha (eight) Mutts, established by Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhwacharya 800 years ago.
The Pejawar seer, a known face amongst Ram Temple movement has ascended the ‘Paryaya Peetha” for a record fifth time with grandeur and religious fervour. Veteran BJP leader lK Advani, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Union ministers Uma Bharti, Venkaiah Naidu, Anant Kumar and Sadananda Gowda, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, Karnataka ministers RV Deshpande, A Manju, HK Patil and Vinay Kumar Sorake, former union minister Veerappa Moily, former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa and Oscar Fernandes, MP, were among those present.
Addressing the devotees, Advani said a new era of Paryaya had started among the eight Mutts of Udupi. “I am happy that Pejawar Sri, for the fifth time, has become the Payarya Swamiji,” he said.
“I experience a new vibe participating in this Paryaya. I have been invited for various programmes, but none of them have made me this happy. I have always been welcomed in Udupi ever since I won the legislative polls,” he added.
“Credit goes to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda who put forward and upheld the ideals of our nation. I ask everyone to always be in favour of justice and not be unjust. All in all, for me, it is a new and unique experience to participate in such a blessed event in the presence of lord Krishna. I am here only to express my joy for I have always got abundant love and blessings ever since I paid my first visit here,” Advani added.
Union Minister Uma Bharti said that she was fortunate to participate in the Paryaya celebrations. “I am fortunate to have a guru like Pejawar Swamiji. He is more like a mother than a father figure to me. I was the first lady disciple of the Udupi Maths in 800 years of history. I was given sanyasi deeksha by Pejawar Swamiji. I was first introduced to him by the former Rani of Gwalior in the year 1987.”
“India is a secular country in the true sense. I respect all religions and in turn I expect the same from others towards my religion. I will never forget the beautiful quote that Pejawar Swamiji had taught me take minimum from the world and give your maximum in return,” she added.