Wednesday, January 12 2005 09:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kalavai: The 2500-year-long tradition of the Kanchi Mutt was broken yesterday (Jan 11, 2005) when the most sacred 'Dhanur Masya' puja, performed in the early hours of the morning, had to be postponed to the night, with both the Shankar acharyas under detention.

The puja, which is performed between 04:00 hrs (IST) and 05:00 hrs (IST) usually, could not be held yesterday as Junior Shankaracharya Vijendra Saraswathi, who was doing it in the absence of the senior pontiff, was also in jail, consequent to his arrest on January 10, Mutt sources said.

Only the Peetathipathis of the Mutt were entitled to perform the puja, they said.

They also pointed out that the Shankaracharya had performed the puja in the night, along with other pujas.