Paryaya
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"Paryaya" in both Sanskrit and Kannada means "alternative". It can be loosely meant as "Another".
[edit] Paryaya ritual at Udupi
Paryaya is a religious ritual which takes place every alternate year in Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi. The puja (pooja) and administration of Krishna Matha is distributed among the Swamijis (seer or monk or pontiff) of ashta mathas established by Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhvacharya. Each swamiji of every matha gets chance to perform puja by rotation. During paryaya, the puja and administration of Krishna Matha is handed over from swamiji of one matha to the swamiji of another matha. It takes place every two years in even numbered years for example 2006,2008,2010 and so on. On 18 January 2006, the puja and administration was handed over to krishnapura matha swamiji Sri Vidyasagara Thirta Padangalavaru from Admar Matha's swamiji. The paryaya takes place on 18 January early morning of mentioned year at Udupi. The preparations start from the previous day itself.The ascending swamiji goes to a place called Dandithirta and takes dip at holy pond and does puja as per tradition.He enters Udupi city early morning at around 3A.M. A procession is taken from jodukatte (Near Taluk office) of Udupi town, where ascending swamiji is carried in planquin along with cultural shows and plays. The swamiji then enters Krishna Matha accompanied by outgoing swamiji, where formally reins of Krishna Matha are handed over.The hand over ceremony is held at Sarvajna peetha inside Krishna Math.At this ceremony descending swamiji hands over articles like keys to ascending swamiji.There are many other rituals which preceed this and suceeding,but no written information is available,even though traditions are strictly followed as it was seven hundred years ago.
