Seer's foreign visit controversy refuses to die down

Udupi (Karnataka), Jan 4: The controversy over the issue of performing Sri Krishna Pooja during the Paryaya period commencing on January 18 by Sugunendra Thirtha Swami of Puthige Mutt owing to his foreign visit refuses to blow over, with both the parties refusing to budge from their stand.

Four seers of the Ashta mutts (eight mutts) of Udupi under Vidyasagar Thirtha Swami of Krishnapur Mutt, addressing a joint press conference here yesterday, reiterated their opposition to the Puthige mutt seer conducting Sri Krishna Pooja at the famous Sri Krishna temple here as traditions and scriptures prohibited one who had visited a foreign land from conducting pooja.

The seers said traditions were followed strictly for centuries and it was the duty of every matadhipathi of Ashta mutt to follow these traditions. Even the Paryaya seer had no right to change the rules. One need not have to visit foreign countries for propagation of 'Madhwa Tatwa prasar' as several modern electronic facilities were available to do it from here, they contended.

Warning that the Puthige seer would be held responsible for the consequences if any violation was committed by him with regard to the rules laid down on Sri Krishna Pooja, they said for easing the crisis, all matadhipathis of Ashta mutt would conduct 'Homa and Havans' and 'Vayusthuthi Punahcharana' from January six to 13. 'Koti Tulsi Archan' would also be performed on January 13, they added.

Meanwhile, the pontiff of Puthige mutt stuck to his stand and said Lord Krishna would show the way out for the current crisis.

However, it was his right to conduct the pooja and it could not be snatched by anyone.

Defending his foreign tour, the seer said he had taken up the tour to remove several misconceptions existing in the people's mind about India and Indian philosophy and impress upon the people the importance of peace process taken up by India in the context of disturbances all over the world.

UNI