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Udupi: Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji, the 31st pontiff of Shiroor Matha, ascended the Sarvajna Peetha in the early hours of January 18 and formally took charge of the Sri Krishna puja at the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha for the next two years. The Paryaya Mahotsava turned Udupi into a sea of devotees, with lakhs of pilgrims witnessing the grand spiritual event.

Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji took a holy dip at Dandatirtha near Kapu at 1.15 am on Sunday. At 2 am, a magnificent Paryaya procession commenced from Jodukatte, with massive crowds lining both sides of the road to witness the ceremonial march.

At 5.15 am, the seer offered prayers at the Kanakana Kindi and had darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, followed by darshan of Sri Chandramoulishwara and Sri Anantheshwara.

Outgoing Paryaya seer of Puttige Matha, Sri Sugunendratirtha Swamiji, who had conducted the festival with grandeur, ceremonially seated Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji on the Sarvajna Peetha at 5.45 am. After seeking blessings by bowing at his mother’s feet, Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji ascended the sacred seat.

At 5.55 am, the traditional court proceedings and Malike Mangalarti for the seers of the Ashta Mathas were held at the Aralu Gadde of the Badagu Malige.

The Paryaya Durbar began at the Rajangana at 6.15 am. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, seers of the Ashta Mathas and several public representatives participated in the ceremonial durbar.

The Mahapuja of Lord Sri Krishna was scheduled at 10.30 am, followed by Pallapuja and bhojana prasada for devotees at noon, marking the spiritual culmination of the Paryaya celebrations.