PHOTOS OF UDUPI KRISHNA TEMPLE

PARYAYA IN UDUPI KRISHNA TEMPLE

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