Paryaya Preparations: Palimar Math performs ‘Kattige Muhurtha’
Udupi: The ritual of ‘Kattige Muhurtha’ (storing firewood) was performed, as the third phase of the preparations for the biennial Paryaya at Sri Krishna Math on Sunday, August 27.
Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swamiji of Palimar Math will be ascending the holy Sarvajna Peetha (Paryaya Peetha) also called the ‘Sarvajna Peetha’ at the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math/Temple, established by Sri Madhwacharya, the exponent of Dwaita philosophy for the second time on January 18, 2018.
As per the rituals of Kattige Muhurtha loads of firewood carried by people was taken in a procession from the Palimar Math, situated near the main Car Street to the backyard of Sri Krishna Math where the firewood will be piled up artistically in the shape of a cart. This piled firewood will be utilised by the Paryaya math during their two year Paryaya period which comes once in two years among the Swamijis of Asta Math on rotation.
The procession of priests and devotees carrying firewood on their heads began from the Palimar Math at 7 am. After offering prayers to various deities at Sri Krishna Math, Lord Krishna, Sri Chandramouleshwara temple and the Sri Ananteshwara temple, the procession returned to the Palimar Math. After the prayers were offered at the Palimar Math, priests and devotees led the procession through Car Street to the place marked for Kattige Ratha.
A decoration in the form of ‘Shikara’ has been installed atop the Kattige Ratha during the ‘Bhatta Muhurta’, the fourth and the last of the major ritual to be held before the Paryaya. Nearly 28-30 days are required for the firewood to be arranged in the form of a chariot, which is called as the Kattige Ratha. As a lot of firewood was required during the two year period, the ritual would ensure that the firewood was stored in an artistic manner in the shape of “Ratha” at the backyard of the temple instead of throwing in a haphazard manner. The height of this Kattige Ratha will be about 25 ft in diameter in which 120 tonnes of firewood (13 lorry load) can be stored. About 20 labourers will complete the Kattige Ratha in a month.
Earlier to Kattige Muhurtha, the incoming Palimar Swamiji who is ascending the ‘Paryaya Peeta’ had performed ‘Bale Muhurtham’ (planting of Banana saplings) and ‘Akki Muhurtham’ (storing of rice). The preparatory process of main Paryaya festival will culminate with the fourth and final phase preparation of ‘Bhattha Muhurtha’ (storing of paddy) which will be held during Dec this year.