Paryaya is a religious ritual which takes place every
alternate year in Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi. The puja and
administration of Krishna Matha is distributed among the Swamijis (seer or monk
or pontiff) of Ashta Matha's established by Dvaita philosopher Sri
Madhvacharya. Each swamiji of every matha gets chance to perform puja to Udupi
Sri Krishna by rotation for a period of two years.
 |
UDUPI KRISHNA TEMPLE DURING PARYAYA IN MOON LIGHT
|
During paryaya, the puja and administration of Krishna Matha
is handed over from Swamiji of one of Ashta Matha to the Swamiji of another
Ashta Matha. It takes place every two years in even numbered years. On 18
January 2014, the puja and administration was handed over to Kaniyoor Mutt's
Vidhyavallabhatirtha Swamiji from Sodhe Mutt's Visveswaratirtha Swamiji.
 |
UDUPI SRIKRISHNA
|
The paryaya takes place in the early hours of 18 January of
even numbered years at Udupi. The preparations start from the previous year
itself. The ascending Swamiji goes to a place called Dandathirta and takes dip
at holy pond and does puja as per tradition. He enters Udupi city at around
3AM. A procession is taken from Jodukatte (Near Taluk office) of Udupi town,
where ascending Swamiji and other Swamijis are carried in planquin along with
cultural shows and plays. Previously, the procession started from Kinnimulki
which was considered as southernmost tip of Udupi town. The Swamiji then enters
Krishna Matha accompanied by outgoing Swamiji, where the reins of Krishna Matha
are handed over formally. The hand over ceremony is held at Sarvajna peetha
inside Krishna Matha. At this ceremony the descending Swamiji hands over
articles like the Akshaya Patra and the shrine keys to ascending Swamiji. A
formal durbar takes place in the Rajangana. There are many rituals which are
followed as it was seven hundred years ago. A public ceremony is held at
Rajagana within the premises of the Krishna Matha for benefit of general
public.
 |
ENTRANCE OF SRIKRISHNA DEVARA MATA, UDUPI, KARNATAKA
|
During the biennial Paryaya festival the temple management
is handed over to the next Matha. Each of the Mathas is headed by a Swami, who
will be in charge of the temple during his Paryaya. The Paryaya is held on 18
January on the even years (like 2010, 2012 and so on), starting early in the
morning at around 3 AM. During this festival there are tableaus from various
groups which gather in Udupi. Festivals like Makara Sankranthi, Ratha Sapthami,
Madhva Navami, Hanuma Jayanthi, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Navarathi Mahotsava,
Madhva Jajanti (Vijaya Dashami), Naraka Chathurdashi, Deepavali, Geetha
Jayanthi etc. are celebrated very grandly by Paryaya Mutt every year.
 |
UDUPI KRISHNA TEMPLE DURING PARYAYA
|
Krishna Janmashtami is held every year. During this festival
groups of men wear "Pili Vesha (Tulu)/Huli vesha (Kannada)" Tiger
costume and other costumes. They visit and collect donations from shops and
houses around Udupi with a lot of enthusiasm among the participants and general
public.
 |
TEMPLE'S HOLY WATER POND
|
Bhajana Saptaha Mahothsava which is held in Sri Laxmi
Venkatesh Temple. Saptaha means 7 days. During this time Bhajans are sung
continuously day and night for 7 days. This event takes place every year during
August starting from Nagara Panchaami till Dwadashi.
 |
CROWD AT UDUPI DURING PARYAYA
|
Rathothsava (Chariot festival) is held in almost all
occasions around Rathabeedi. During this time the ratha (chariot) of Lord
Krishna is pulled by locals around Rathabeedi.
 |
UDUPI KRISHNA BRHAMA RATHAM
|
