Paryaya is a religious ritual that takes place every alternate year in Sri 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 a chance to perform puja to Udupi Sri Krishna by rotation for two years.
During paryaya, the puja and administration of Krishna Matha are handed over from the Swamiji of one of Ashta Matha to the Swamiji of another Ashta Matha. It takes place every two years in even-numbered years of the Gregorian calendar. On 18 January 2024, the puja and administration were handed over to Puthige Mutt’s Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji.
The paryaya takes place in the early hours of 18 January of the even-numbered year of the Gregorian calendar at Udupi. The preparations start from the previous year itself. The ascending Swamiji of Sarvajna Peeta goes to a place called Dandathirta near Kaup south of Udupi town and takes a dip at the holy pond and does puja as per Madhwa traditions. The ascending Swamiji taking over the pooja of Lord Krishna enters Udupi city at around 3 A.M. morning. A procession is taken from Jodukatte (Near the old Taluk office) of Udupi town, where ascending Swamiji and other Swamijis are carried in palanquins along with cultural shows and plays.
Previously, the procession started from Kinnimulki which was considered the southernmost tip of Udupi town then or entry point to Udupi town from the South side. The Swamiji then enters Krishna Matha accompanied by the outgoing Swamiji, where the reins of Krishna Matha are handed over formally.
The handover 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 the benefit of the general public.
Paryaya Rituals
Before ascending the throne of Sarvajna peetha, rituals are initiated one year before paryaya by the ascending Swamiji. The main among them are Baale (Banana) Muhurtha, Akki (Rice) Muhurta, Kattige (Firewood) Muhurtha and Batha (Paddy) Muhurta.
Baale Muhurta
One year before the Paryaya by the ascending Swamiji. In Baale Muhurta, banana or plantain saplings are planted along with Tulasi (Basil) to meet the needs of Krishna puja and for feeding devotees.
Akki Muhurtha
Where rice is stored in Mudi (made from hay). Around 48 Mudis are stored on Akki Muhurtha. Kattige Muhurtha follows Akki Muhurtha. Firewood is stored in the form of a Ratha (Chariot/Temple car) for future use during Paryaya. The firewood stored is used for cooking prasada and feeding devotees who come to Krishna Matha during the two years of Paryaya.
Kattige Muhurtha
Batha Muhurtha is performed after. Batha (dried paddy) is stored to meet future requirements within the premises of Sri Krishna Matha. All these muhurtas are done on auspicious days with offerings to Chandreshwara, Ananteshwara, and Sri Krishna deities.
These are done for the smooth running of the Paryaya. Nowadays these have become symbolic as Krishna matha ( Krishna mutt ) and other Ashta matha’s ( Ashta mutt’s ) have lost all their land holdings to tenants due to the passage of the Land Reform Act 1975 passed by the Karnataka state legislature.
The expenses to perform poojas, run the temple, and feed the devotees daily are borne by voluntary contributions of devotees in cash or kind. Many times loans are taken by the respective matha (mutt) which is in charge of Krishna matha ( Krishna temple ) during the paryaya period for meeting the expenses to run the Krishna matha at Udupi.
Order of Paryaya
The rotation of the privilege of worshipping Lord Krishna amongst the eight mathas is fixed. The rotation starts with the Palimaru Matha and ends with the Pejavara Matha. The complete order is