Grand Paraya Festival Procession Enthralls Devotees; Temple City Immersed in Devotion
Udupi: The temple city of Udupi was immersed in devotion as the grand procession of the Shiroor Sri Paraya Mahotsava unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, drawing an estimated multitude of devotees. The meticulously planned event proceeded with both splendour and solemnity, marking a significant occasion in the religious calendar.
Following the completion of the traditional midnight bath at Kapu Dandatirtha, the presiding pontiffs offered prayers to the deity before arriving at Jodukatte precisely at 2:30 a.m. From this location, the magnificent procession commenced its journey, traversing through Court Road, Old Diana Circle, Ideal Circle, and Tenkapete, ultimately culminating at the historic Rathabeedi.
The procession was characterized by a vibrant display of folk art forms, intricately designed tableaux, and the resounding rhythms of chende drums. A diverse array of cultural performances added to the spectacle, including chende troupes, Kunitha Bhajana, Gorava Kunita, Kombu Kahale, children performing Marakalu Kunita (stilt dance), Kangilu dance, a Nasik band, and a doll dance, among other presentations. Following the numerous tableaux and artistic troupes, Sri Vedavardhana Theertha Sripadaru, the seer of Shiroor Math, along with the pontiffs of the Ashta Mathas, proceeded in ornate palanquins mounted on vehicles.
A poignant element of the procession was the inclusion of the idol of the late Lakshmeevratha Theertha Swamiji, the former senior seer of Shiroor Math. Carried in an open vehicle, the idol evoked deep emotional reverence amongst the assembled devotees.
Beginning at approximately 2:30 a.m. from Jodukatte, the procession covered a distance of nearly two kilometers before reaching its conclusion at Rathabeedi. Devotees from Udupi and various regions of the state congregated along the streets to witness the grandeur of the Paraya festival. The roadsides were densely packed with individuals, while others gathered on compound walls and balconies of buildings to obtain a better view of the majestic procession. The city of Udupi remained awake throughout the night, fully embracing the divine atmosphere of the Paraya Mahotsava.
Notable attendees included Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MLAs Raghupathi Bhat and Pramod Madhwaraj, Congress leader Muniyalu Uday Kumar Shetty, Paraya Welcome Committee General Secretary Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, Veena Shetty, Nayana Ganesh, and other dignitaries. Security measures were implemented under the direction of Udupi District Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar to ensure the safety and order of the event.
