Offer your body to God through service – Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade at Udupi Paryaya Festival Preparatory Meet
Udupi: “The body given by God should not become a burden. Instead, offer your body to God through selfless service performed with devotion. The Paryaya Festival in Udupi is a unique opportunity to dedicate one’s body and life to divine service,” said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari and Rajya Sabha Member Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade.
He spoke after inaugurating the preparatory public consultation meeting for the upcoming first Paryaya Festival of Shiroor Math’s Sri Vedavardhana Teertha Swamiji. The event was held at Vidyodaya School, Udupi, on Friday. Dr. Heggade also presided as the honorary president of the Paryaya Welcome Committee.
He said, “During the Udupi Paryaya Festival, lakhs of devotees gather to offer hore kanike (sacred offerings) — a unique form of service seen only here. Devotees lovingly bring vegetables, grains, and coconuts on their heads and dedicate them to God for the benefit of the visiting pilgrims. This act of offering is very dear to the Lord.”
Dr. Heggade advised devotees to offer non-perishable items, such as grains, coconuts, and long-lasting vegetables, rather than perishable items like tender coconuts, which may spoil quickly.
He further informed that the Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) workers would assist in organizing, displaying, and preserving the hore kanike materials. The Dharmasthala institution will also take responsibility for decorating the entire Udupi city during the festival.
Prominent Hindu leader Prof. M. B. Puranik said, “Every person in the coastal region is indebted to Udupi Sri Krishna Math for the food (prasadam) they have received. Participating in and serving at the Shiroor Swamiji’s Paryaya Festival is a golden opportunity to repay that debt.”