Puttige Mutt seer attempts to resolve foreign tour controversy

Puttige Mutt seer attempts to resolve foreign tour controversy

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Jan 15, 2012: Shri Sugunendratheertha Swamiji of Puttige Mutt has invited Shri Vishwavallaba Teertha Swamiji of Sode Vadiraja Mutt to visit the Puttige Mutt and seek blessings from Panduranga Vittala, the presiding deity of the mutt. 

He has also urged the Sode seer to discuss the various differences of opinion between the mutts and to settle the controversy that has arisen because of the failure to invite him to the Paryaya Darbar, which is scheduled to be held on Jan 18. 

Interacting with reporters, the Puttige seer said that according to the laws implemented by Vadiraja Swamiji, the Madhwa philosopher and Sode Vadiraja Mutt seer, the seers of the eight mutts are required to participate in the Paryaya festival upon invitation from the next Paryaya Seer and the other six seers will witness the transfer of power between the previous Paryaya Seer and his successor.

He told reporters that tradition demands that the seer who is going to ascend the Paryaya throne should send a letter to other mutts seeking permission to offer prayers to the deities of each mutt. Stating that he has not received a letter from the Sode seer, he said that he is inviting the Sode seer to visit Puttige Mutt and offer prayers to the deity of the Puttige Mutt and receive his blessings. Speaking about the great significance of the traditions of the eight mutts, he said that each seer bears the responsibility of carrying protecting ancestral legacies. 

Stating that he remained silent so far in the hope that the controversy will be soon resolved, he said that nothing of the sort has happened, owing to which he has decided to break his silence.

Admitting that he had indeed visited the US in 1992, he said that his visit was only to spread the faith in America, a country populated by millions of Indians eager to re-gain contact with their spiritual and traditional values. He also said that he has visited over 20 countries all over the globe to spread the message of peace, a move that has conveyed wrong messages among the people, who have done nothing to understand the real purpose of his foreign tour. 

Further speaking about the controversy, he remarked that there might be reasons unknown to him that might have caused it, although on the surface, the controversy seems to revolve around his foreign tour. 

Shri Laxmivara Teertha Swamiji, the seer of Shiroor Mutt, was also present at the press conference. He said that the Puttige seer should be invited to attend the Paryaya Darbar.