Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt, who underwent surgery for hernia a couple of days ago, performed a puja to the idol of Lord Krishna at the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple here on Wednesday.
However, the 87-year-old seer did not touch the idol during the only puja performed by him. He performed the puja at around 8.30 a.m.
Raghuram Acharya, Dewan of Pejawar Mutt, told The Hindu that it was a normal puja performed by the seer.
The other pujas, including the maha puje, were being performed by Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Pejawar Mutt.
“A seer has to perform pujas and do japas (chanting mantras) daily. It has to be followed daily. It is sanyasi dharma. But touching any idol required the highest cleanliness or purity,” Mr. Acharya said.
Since the seer had been advised complete rest for a week by the doctors, the seer was staying at the Vadiraja Mandira Guest House till noon.
As many people came to meet him there, he was taking rest at the Admar Mutt Guest House nearby from afternoon onwards. Besides, the Admar Mutt Guest House also had better facilities.
This arrangement would continue for a week.
Since the seer had undergone surgery, doctors from the Kasturba Hospital would come on alternative days for his check-up, Mr. Acharya said.