"Paryaya" in Sanskrit means "alternative". It can be loosely meant as "Another".
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Paryaya is a religious ritual which takes place every alternate year in Krishna Matha (Krishna Temple) of Udupi. The puja and administration of Krishna Matha is distributed among the Swamijis (seer or monk or pontiff) of ashta matha established by Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhvacharya. Each swamiji of every matha gets chance to perform puja by rotation for a period of two years. During paryaya, the puja and administration of Krishna Matha is handed over from swamiji of one of ashta matha to the swamiji of another ahta matha. It takes place every two years in even numbered years for example 2006,2008,2010 and so on. On 18 January 2010, the puja and administration was to be handed over to Shiroor matha Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji from Puthige 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.[1] 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 and other swamiji's are carried in planquin along with cultural shows and plays. Previously it was from Kinnimulki which was considered as southern most tip of Udipi town. 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 Akshaya patra and keys to ascending swamiji.Then in Vasanta Mahal formal durbar takes place. There are many other rituals which precede this and succeeding,but no written information is available,even though traditions are strictly followed as it was seven hundred years ago. Nowadays public ceremony is held at rajagana within premises of Krishna matha for benefit of general public.
Before ascending throne of Sarvajna peetha, rituals are initiated one year before paryaya by ascending swamiji. Main among them are Bale (Banana) Muhurtha, Akki (Rice) muhurta, Kattige ( Fire wood) muhurtha and Batha ( Paddy ) Muhurta. First Bale Muhurta is performed generrally one year prior to Paryaya by ascending swamiji. In Bale muhurta, Banana or plantain saplings are planted along with Tulasi ( Basil ). After that Akki muhurtha is done where rice is stored in Mudi ( made from hay ). Around 48 Mudi are stored on that day. Kattige muhurtha follows the Akki Muhurtha. Fire woods is stored in form of ratha ( Temple car ) for future use during Paryaya. The fire wood stored is used to for cooking prasada and feeding devotees who come to Krishna matha during two years of Paryaya of the swamiji who performs pooja of Shri Krishna. The Batha muhurtha is done after Kattige muhurtha. The Batha (dried paddy ) is stored for meeting future requirements within premises of Shri Krishna Math. All these muhurthas are done on auspicious days with offering to Chandreshwara, Ananteshwara and Shri Krishna deities. These are done so that paryaya can run smoothly.[2]
The rotation of the privilege of worshipping Lord Krishna amongst the eight mathas is fixed. The rotation starts with the Palimaru matha and ends with the Pejavara matha. The complete order is