Krishna Temple entry system restored

Devotees termed the Vishwa Patha system as circuitous

Udupi Paryaya Sri Krishnapura Mutt has restored the entry system for devotees at the Sri Krishna Temple/Mutt that existed earlier, from the main entrance of the temple much to the relief of devotees, after seer Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji took over on January 15 this year.

The previous Paryaya had witnessed the introduction of Vishwa Patha concept that aimed to introduce the entire Krishna Temple/Mutt complex to devotees. Devotees desirous of having darshan of Lord Krishna had to climb stairs behind the common toilet complex on the left hand side of the mutt, move over the Bhojanashala complex and descend near the Chandrashala.

The then Chief Minister B.S. Yedyurappa had inaugurated the Vishwa Patha, while launching the fifth centenary of the Paryaya system of Sri Krishna Mutt in January last.

This system did not go well with many devotees, particularly elders who could not climb the stairs. They were also unhappy to pass through the toilet complex, while many found it not right to walk atop the Mukhya Prana temple in the Bhojanashala, said Vamanachala Hebbar, a devotee.

Sri Vidyasagara Tirtha before ascending the Paryaya peetha had made it clear that he did not have any lofty plans to be executed during the two-year term. Whatever system existed earlier will be reintroduced, he had said, without directly mentioning reverting to the old darshan system.

He added that offering puja to Lord Krishna was his priority. He was not stickler to any rules and favoured any change that resulted in larger good for devotees.

Mr. Hebbar said that though the Vishwa Patha system came during the pandemic during which period entry of devotees to the temple was prohibited for long, it resulted in artificial rush whenever entry was allowed into the temple.