Udupi — The Paryaya Puttige Mutt has issued a heartfelt appeal to the public, urging them to refrain from conducting pre-wedding photo and video shoots on Car Street, a revered pathway that encircles the iconic Sri Krishna Mutt and the Ashta Mutts in Udupi.
In a video statement released Thursday, Gopalacharya, a spokesperson for the Mutt, emphasized the sanctity of Car Street, noting that the location holds immense spiritual significance for devotees. “Car Street is not just a physical space; it is a sacred route where seers from the Ashta Mutts walk in reverence, and where daily rituals such as Utsavas, Rathotsavas, and bhajans are conducted. It is a spiritual artery of Udupi,” he said.
However, in recent times, the Mutt has received numerous complaints regarding couples engaging in pre-wedding shoots in this holy zone—often with behavior considered inappropriate by the devotees and temple authorities. According to Gopalacharya, Puttige Mutt seer Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji has expressed deep concern over such activities and has called on the public to uphold the dignity and sanctity of the place.
A Growing Concern
Puttige Mutt Secretary, Prasannacharya, further elaborated that the mutts, including the Paryaya Mutt currently under Puttige administration, have observed a rising trend in pre-wedding shoots not only around the temple premises but also within the Mutts themselves—even in the presence of seers. This, he said, has led to significant discomfort among devotees and spiritual leaders alike.
“We have had to take a firm decision. The increasing frequency of such photo shoots, sometimes bordering on disrespectful conduct, prompted the Mutt to formally request that people desist from using Car Street and the temple precincts as backdrops for their pre-wedding imagery,” Prasannacharya stated.
Preserving Spiritual Heritage
Car Street and the Krishna Mutt precincts are home to not only the eight Ashta Mutts—Admar, Pejawar, Palimar, Krishnapura, Shirur, Sode, Kaniyur, and Puttige—but also several other revered institutions, including the Bhandarkeri Mutt, Raghavendraswamy Temple, Kanaka Gopura, and the historic Anantheshwara and Chandramouleeshwara Temples.
The Krishna Mutt’s management, which rotates every two years among the Ashta Mutt seers, has reiterated that these sacred spaces must remain spiritually focused environments, free from distractions or activities that dilute their religious essence.
The statement concluded with a plea to the public to respect the cultural and spiritual atmosphere of Udupi by refraining from such practices on Car Street and within temple premises. The Mutt’s leadership stressed that while celebrations and personal milestones are important, they must be balanced with reverence for tradition and devotion.
