Paryaya Festival, held once in every two years, is a ceremony found only in the Udupi Sri Krishna Temple. The temple has 8 mutts namely Kaniyoor, Sode, Puttige, Admar, Pejavara, Palimar, Krishnapura and Shiroor. Each Mutt is headed by Swamiji (Saint). The right of worshipping Lord Krishna will be transferred from one swamiji to another swamiji. This celebration usually falls on the fourth day after the Makara Sankranti.
The system was introduced by saint Sri Vadiraja Swamigal of Sri Sode math, during 1522, replacing the two months term introduced by Dwaita (dualism) philosopher Sri Madhwacharya.
Usually the festival begins with a procession. The procession passes through the Udupi town. The main part of festival is the ‘Paryaya Darbar’ which will be held at 6:15 hrs at Rajangana, many intellectual persons will felicitate this occasion. On this occasion, cultural programs and colourful car festivals are arranged for a week, which are witnessed by devotees and visitors from India and abroad.
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan182004/s2.asp
http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/jan192004/s5.asp
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/01/02/stories/2002010200210500.htm www.udipikrishnamutt.com/temple.asp?serialno=8& tempid=T090&desctitle=Paryaya
http://www.soans.com/Festival_Bot.htm
[Source a (43) 14-Oct-04]
