Mangaluru: The Akhil Bharath Vrshiya Avadhoot Bekh Baraha Panth ‘Navanath Zundi, Yogi Sri Sri Nirmalnath, who will ascend as ‘Raja’ of Kadali Yogeshwara (Jogi) Math, Kadri, was given a grand welcome on Friday February 26 .

Yogi Sri Sri Nirmalnath, will be anointed on March 7, 2016.

The ‘Zhundi’ ‘Pura Pravesha’ of the Swamijis arrived with a grand procession from Kottara, Urwa Stores-Ladyhill-Kudroli-Car Street-Hampankatta-PVS-Bunts Hostel-Mallikatta, before reaching Kadri Manjunatha Temple.

The rituals got kick started today on Friday, February 26, for appointing the new raja to Kadali Yogeshwara Mutt with the traditional ‘purapravesha’ ceremony.

The Coronation of Sri Nirmalnathji, to the mutt through a ritual for the next 12 days.

MLA J R Lobo, BJP leader Ganesh Karnik among the huge gathering of people from various parts of the country witnessed the historic event.

Senior Vedic scholar Vittal Das tanthri will lead the religious rituals of the ceremony.

A number of cultural and religious programmes will be held every evenings at the Mutt from February 26 to March 7. In the presence of temple trustee Ramanatha Hegde and Vinayananda, Hore Kanike will be taken from Mangaladevi temple to the Kadali Mutt via Kankanady, Mallikatte and Kadri temple starting from 3.30 pm on February 28 .

12 years once the Coronation to the Mutt is held. Seers from 12 sects of Nath Panth choose the raja, and only seers from Bairag, Kaplani, Nateshwari and Ganganath sects are eligible to become the raja.

The outgoing Mutt chief Sri Sandhyanathji will also be felicitated.

Kadali Yogeshwar Mutt and Kadri temple it is believed has a special connect. Since ages ,it is believed the Kadali Mutt chiefs on horses back have led the Kadri Rathotsav from the front. A visit to the Mangaladevi temple and offering fruits, flowers and saree, seeking the procession to be a smooth affair and this is a traditional practice. The day prior to the Kadri Manjunatha temple procession, the Kadali chief pontiffs also visits.

The religious programmes will be attended by Sri Gurudevananda Swamiji, Sri Muktananda Swamiji of Kerinje, Sri Mohandas Swamiji of Manila, Sri Yogananda Swamiji Kondevooru, Yogi Sri Mahanth Adityanath, Sri Mahanth Shivanathji, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA JR Lobo, former MLZ Monappa Bhandary, Karnataka Bank CEO and MD P Jayarama Bhat, President of Bunt’s Association Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, President of AJ Group AJ Shetty.