Mangaluru : Two seers, Vishwavallabha Tirtha of Sode Mutt and Ishapriya Tirtha, junior seer of Admar Mutt, sat on palanquins which were carried by devotees during the Paryaya procession here on Monday.

The Pejawar seer had started the system of carrying palanquins mounted atop vehicles to deflect the criticism of using people to carry palanquins. Five other seers of Ashta Mutts sat on palanquins mounted atop vehicles during the Paryaya procession on Monday.

The 10 tableaus and 55 cultural troupes which participated in the Paryaya procession added colour to the festival. Though a large crowd was expected for the procession, the number of people who turned up was far bigger.

The police had to struggle to keep the crowd under control, especially at Joddu Katte, from where the procession began. The delay in starting the procession by about 40 minutes also added to the problems of the waiting crowd.

A similar scene was witnessed at the Ananda Tirtha Mantapa, the venue of the Paryaya Durbar function. Here too, the Paryaya Reception Committee had made seating arrangements for about 10,000 people. But, at two entrances to the Mantapa, many were struggling to get inside. Some had to watch the proceedings standing.

The Paryaya Reception Committee had put up huge screens opposite the Ananda Tirtha Mantapa and at Rajangana Hall, for live telecast of the proceedings of the Paryaya Durbar function. A large number of people watched the proceedings on the screens.

The two notable absentees at the Paryaya Durbar function were Sugunendra Tirtha Swami of Puttige Mutt and Vishwapriya Tirtha Swami of Admar Mutt. The stage of the Ananda Tirtha Mantapa was tastefully decorated for the durbar. The background was designed to mimic a traditional Tulunadu house. What added beauty to the stage were the floral decorations on top and around it.

VIPs BJP leader L K Advani, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala D Veerendra Heggade, Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Uma Bharathi, Ananth Kumar, State Ministers Vinay Kumar Sorake, HK Patil, RV Deshpande, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes and former union minister Veerappa Moily and others were wittnesed paryaya darbar.

Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade welcomed the gathering.

As part of cultural programme a special Vande Mataram dance was presented by students of Alva’s College, Moodbidri.