Puthige mutt chief to ascend ‘Paryaya Peeta’ on Jan 18

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, January 7, 2024: Sri Sugunendra Thirtha Swamiji of Udupi Sri Puthige Mutt has initiated the ’Koti Gita Lekhana Yajna’ as part of his fourth Paryaya, which spans from January 18, 2024, to January 17, 2026.

Speaking to reporters during a ’Guruvandana Tulabhara’ event on Saturday, the seer, set to ascend the Paryaya Peeta at Udupi Shri Krishna Mutt on January 18, revealed plans to present one crore handwritten copies of the Bhagavad Gita to Udupi Sri Krishna through the Koti Gita Lekhana Yajna.

Designating his fourth Paryaya as ’Vishwa Gita Paryaya,’ the seer expressed his intent to worship and adore the Lord through the Bhagavad Gita itself. He invited devotees to participate in the Koti Gita Lekhana Yajna by obtaining Bhagavad Gita and notebooks from the mutt. Participants are expected to transcribe the slokas of the Bhagavad Gita, and the handwritten copies should be submitted to the mutt before January 17, 2026. The seer aims to involve one crore devotees in this Yajna, building on the success of the earlier Laksha Gita Lekhana Yajna during his second Paryaya.

As a gesture of gratitude to Sri Krishna for 50 years of his sanyasa life, the seer announced the offering of a ’Parthasarathi Suvarna Ratha’ (golden chariot). He also introduced the ’Akhanda Gita Parayana’ (dawn-to-dusk Gita chanting) and a unique Bhagavad Gita Maha Yaga. Additionally, an international Gita conference and various Gita-related programs such as discourses, competitions, debates, and camps are planned throughout the Paryaya. A ’Swagatham Krishna’ mahadwara (entrance) featuring the idol of Sri Madhwacharya carrying Krishna will be constructed at Kalsanka.

The seer’s ’pura pravesha’ is scheduled for Monday, January 8, with various organizations and bhajan troupes participating in a procession from Jodukatte to Car Street at 3.30 p.m. The seer will ascend the ’Sarvajna Peetha’ on January 18 for the fourth time, having previously done so in 1972, 1992, and 2008.

The Paryaya Mahotsava rituals will commence on January 18 with puja, prayers, and a procession from Jodukatte at 2.15 am, reaching the Car Street of the Sri Krishna Mutt at 4.30 am. At 5.50 am, the seer will ascend the holy ’Sarvajna Peetha’ of Sri Madhwacharya after ’Akshaya Paatra Sweekara.’ A Prabhata Paryaya Durbar is scheduled at 6.30 am, and a Sandhya Paryaya Durbar will take place at 4.30 pm. Rathotsava and teppotsava will be held at 8 pm on January 19.