What is "paryaya"

Paryaya is a religious ritual which takes place every alternate year in 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 chance to perform puja to Udupi Sri Krishna by rotation for a period of two years.

During paryaya, the puja and administration of Krishna Matha is handed over from Swamiji of one of Ashta Matha to the Swamiji of another Ashta Matha. It takes place every two years in even numbered years. On 18 January 2014, the puja and administration was handed over to Kaniyoor Mutt's Vidhyavallabhatirtha Swamiji from Sodhe Mutt's Vishwavallabhatirtha Swamiji.

The paryaya takes place in the early hours of 18 January of even numbered years at Udupi. The preparations start from the previous year itself. The ascending Swamiji goes to a place called Dandathirta and takes dip at holy pond and does puja as per tradition. He enters Udupi city at around 3AM. A procession is taken from Jodukatte (Near Taluk office) of Udupi town, where ascending Swamiji and other Swamijis are carried in planquin along with cultural shows and plays. Previously, the procession started from Kinnimulki which was considered as southernmost tip of Udupi town. The Swamiji then enters Krishna Matha accompanied by outgoing Swamiji, where the reins of Krishna Matha are handed over formally. The hand over 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 benefit of general public.