Udupi: Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt said on Wednesday that he would give importance to providing facilities such as education and healthcare to the poor, while protecting and promoting the ancient texts after stepping down from the “Paryaya Peetha”.

He was speaking at the felicitation function organised by the Paryaya Reception Committee to honour him on completing his record fifth Paryaya, at the Car Street, here.

The Pejawar seer said that while he had provided many facilities for the devotees at the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple during his two-year Paryaya period, there were some things which he could not do. He hoped that the incoming Paryaya seer, Vidyadheesha Tirtha, would achieve it.

The seer said that he was not interested in controversy. But whenever he spoke there was controversy. He had only said that the majority and minority communities should be treated alike. “The Shaadi Bhagya facility available for Muslims should be made available to the Dalits also.

I did not call for a change in the Constitution. But the architect of Indian Constitution B.R. Ambedkar himself has provided the option for amending the Constitution,” he said.

He said he had to face opposition for holding the ‘Souharda Upahara Koota’ (or Iftaar) for a gathering of Muslims to break their fast here on June 24, 2017. “We should have tolerance for other religions while having pride in our religion. I have been attacked by both the Right and the Left. But I will continue in my own path,” the Pejawar seer said.

Vishwesha Tirtha lauded Vishwaprasannna Tirtha, junior seer of Pejawar Mutt for his cooperation during the last two years of Paryaya.

Vishwaprasanna Tirtha said that Vishwesha Tirtha had the capacity to do the fifth Paryaya alone. “I am fortunate, I got the opportunity to serve him,” he said.

Vidyadheesha Tirtha of Palimar Mutt lauded both Vishwesha Tirtha and Vishwaprasanna Tirtha on successful completion of the fifth Paryaya. “The Pejawar seer has set a high standard for me to follow. He should consider my Paryaya as the extension of his Paryaya and guide me,” he said.

D. Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports, Shobha Karandlaje, MP, were present.