Date:18/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/18/stories/2008011856540400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Court refuses to stay Paryaya ascension

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Thursday rejected an interim prayer by two devotees of Udupi against the ascension of Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puttige Math to the Paryaya Peetha at the famed Sri Krishna Temple in Udupi.

Justice H.G. Ramesh passed the order on the two devotees who had moved the High Court after a local court in Udupi had rejected their suit for injunction against the Puttige seer. The devotees had moved the Udupi court against the decision of the Puttige seer to ascend the Paryaya Peetha and also to perform puja to Lord Krishna at the Sri Krishna Temple.

The devotees had claimed that the Puttige seer ought not to touch Lord Krishna as he had gone abroad on several occasions and had consequently violated the religious canons. When the Udupi court dismissed the suit, the devotees had filed a writ petition before the High Court.

Pointing out that they had nothing against the Puttige Math, they said: “We have no objection if he ascends the Paryaya Peetha. Our sole objection is to the seer touching the sacred idol of Lord Krishna.” They said that the Puttige seer was several years ago party to a decision of the Asta Mathas not to allow anyone who crosses the ocean (goes abroad) from ascending the Paryaya Peetha.

They said there had been two occasions in the past when the seers of two different maths had been asked not to ascend the Paryaya Peetha as they had gone abroad. The seers had gracefully stepped down from ascending the Peetha. Opposing the petitions, senior counsel A.G. Holla said there is no bar either in the religious texts or in the customs followed for centuries for the seers to go abroad. He said the petitioners had not placed texts either before the Udupi court or before the High Court relating to any such bar. Moreover, a writ petition could not be filed before the High Court after a suit was dismissed. He said the petition should be dismissed on the grounds that the devotes had no locus standi on the matter. He said the devotees had come to the court at the last moment. Justice H.G. Ramesh admitted the petition and ordered issue of notices to the Puttige and Krishnapur Maths. He rejected the staying of the ascension and adjourned further hearing on the case.