Paryaya fervour takes over Udupi

udupi: as the countdown began for the paryaya mahotsava, udupi, the abode of lord krishna, was abuzz with activity. huge crowds thronged the city from far and wide. it is time for change of guard among the ashta maths, the eight maths which take turns in taking charge of performing the poojas for lord krishna. after the two-year term of pejavar seer sri vishwesha theertha swamiji, it is now time for sri vidyadheesha theertha swamiji of palimar math to take the `deeksha' and ascend the sarvagna peeta, thus empowering him to perform the rituals inside the temple for a term of two years.the handing over ceremony would be held in the early hours of friday, following which, the newly-installed seer would hold a `raja darbar', the public meet at the rajaangana in the temple complex. the atmosphere all over the temple town is charged with religious fervour and the mood is upbeat among the thousands of devotees who have come to witness the grand event. the ceremony at the rajaangana is expected to be attended by chief minister s.m. krishna, who has not yet confirmed his visit, union ministers uma bharati, ananth kumar, dhananjaya kumar, the local mp vinaykumar sorake, local politicians, pontiffs of all the maths of udupi among host of dignitaries. the celebrations would be kicked off with the paryaya swamiji sri vidyadheesha theertha swamiji having a dip in the holy waters of danda theertha, about 10 km from udupi, who will then perform the special pooja to the pattada devaru, the diety of the palimar math. a grand procession from jodumarga to the lord krishna temple is the major attraction of the festivities which is expected to pull a large crowds in lakhs. all the pontiffs of the ashtamaths will grace the procession, which will feature performing artistes, tableau, folk artistes among others. the town of udupi is illuminated all around as people await the grandeur of the festivity.