Another controversy marred the Ashta Mutts of Udupi with Shiroor Mutt pontiff Laxmivara Theertha holding a parallel “rathothsava” prior to Paryaya Sode Mutt pontiff Vishwavallabha Thertha offering aarathi (prayers) to mrithika moorthy (clay idol) of lord Krishna, here on Sunday afternoon.
It has been a tradition in Udupi to hold Vitla Pindi celebrations, on the next day of Srikrishnastami. As per tradition, on the Vitla Pindi Paryaya Mutt, which is at the helm of affairs of Sri Krishna Temple for the past two years, shall conduct rathothsava and hold activities marking the childhood of lord Krishna and distribute prasadam to the devotees.
However on Sunday, just prior to the beginning of Vitla Pindi festivities, Shiroor Mutt pontiff Laxmivara Theertha, with a mruthika moorthy of lord Krishna in his hands, told news persons that he had been inspired by lord Krishna to have a separate rathothsava.
“Last night I had a dream. In the dream lord Krishna appeared and told me to offer a separate rathothsava on the Vitla Pindi.
Accordingly, I am offering a rathothsava now,” he said and let off to board the silver chariot, with the idol.
He offered poojas to lord Krishna aboard the silver chariot, followed by people pulling the rath around the Car Street. Gollas breaking curd filled pots hanged at the high rising gopuras in the car street also marked the occasion.
Shiroor pontiff also distributed thousands of laddus and chakkulis as prasadam to the devotes.
A few minutes later, Paryaya Sode Mutt pontiff Vishwavallabha Theertha offered poojas to clay idol of lord Krishna inside the Sri Krishna Temple, installed it on the golden chariot while the devotees pulled it around the temple in the Car Street.
He also offered aarathi. People dressed as Gollas holding bamboos broke the pots filled with curds, adding festivities to the uthsav.
Prior to immersing the clay idol in the Madhwa Sarovara, Sode Mutt pontiff Vishwavallabha Theertha distributed prasadam to the devotees gathered in the Car Street.
Prior to Vitla Pindi festivities, over 20,000 devotees had participated in a mass meal in the form of prasadam.
Asked if he is not satisfied with Sode Mutt running the affairs of Sri Krishna Temple, Shiroor Mutt pontiff Laxmivara Theertha said, “Of course I am not satisfied, but I cannot disclose the reasons for it. Though I was not invited for the ‘Arghya Pradana’ festivities on Saturday midnight, I also offered arghya in front of lord Krishna’s idol
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