The controversy surrounding the paryaya (ascension ceremony) at the centuries-old Sri Krishna Mutt at Udupi has convulsed the religious circles in that temple town.

The heads of eight mutts who form the collegium which controls the affairs of this  temple have had their differences in the past which spilled over into public domain, but by and large, they have earned the respect of their followers by faithfully pursuing the dharmic path they have chosen to tread.

But, the tranquility at the over 750-year-old temple – said to have been established by Madhvacharya – has been disturbed of late as the paryaya of Sugunendra Thirtha of Puttige Mutt scheduled for January 18 is being opposed by some of the swamijis, notably Visvesha Thirtha of Pejawar Mutt. They contend that Sugunendra Thirtha has “polluted” himself by crossing the seas and going abroad and as per tradition, he has forfeited the right to perform pooja of the main deity, even if he is allowed to ascend the paryaya.

Sugunendra Thirtha went abroad for the first time in 1997 and many times thereafter, but his contention is that he had visited foreign lands for propagation of religion and not for having any “fun” and there was nothing “unsacred” about the foreign soil he has stepped on. He claims the support of at least four other swamijis for his paryaya and dubs the opposition as originating out of vested interests.

The Puttige swami has certainly raised a valid point of debate on whether in this day and age crossing the seas should be considered a “crime,” but the fact of the matter is that Sri Krishna Mutt has followed a certain tradition which has not been transgressed so far. The controversy first arose when Vishwavijaya of Pejawar Mutt went abroad in 1986 and he was forced to abdicate his peeta the next year; again, Vibhudesha Thirtha of Adamar Mutt voluntarily handed over the peeta to his disciple when he went abroad in 1990.

It is claimed that Visvesha Thirtha has taken up the cudgels against  Sugunendra Thirtha to avenge the latter’s campaign against Vishwavijaya two decades ago, which led to his removal from his post. Whatever be the truth or the sub-plots that have led to the present stalemate, the swamijis owe it to their disciples and the society at large to thrash out their differences within the four walls of the mutt and come to an amicable settlement, rather than issuing public statements which further vitiate the atmosphere.