Pomp and grandeur mark Sri Krishna Janmashtami in temple town

DHNS

Udupi/Mangalore, 02 September 2010: Thousands of devotees thronged the Udupi Sri Krishna temple on Wednesday to catch a glimpse of the idol of Lord Krishna on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.

 

 

Various ‘Alankars’ to the lord Krishna is the highlight of the day. In the morning he was decorated as ‘Thottilu Krishna’. The idol of Balakrishna was decorated with flowers and ‘tulasi’ leaves and Paryaya Shiroor mutt seer Laxmivaratheertha Sripada performed ‘Mahapooja’ in the early hours. The ‘arghya pradana’ ritual was held at 11.54 am followed by Mahapooja. The seers of Ashta Mutt were present during the ritual and offered ‘arghya’ to the Lord.

At the ‘Muddu Krishna’ competition - a fancy dress contest for the children - a number of ‘little Krishnas’ recreated ‘Nandagokula’ on the stage erected before Shiroor mutt.

Religious discourses and music concerts were held as part of the celebrations. ‘Huli vesha’ was the centre of attraction.

Devotees observed fasting and offered ‘arghya’ to Lord Krishna with water through conch and ‘bilva’ leaves to break the fasting at night.

The ‘Krishna Leelothsava’ also called as ‘Vittla Pindi’ will be celebrated in Udupi on Thursday. ‘Anna santharpane’ will be offered at 9 am at ‘Rajangana and Bhojanashale.

‘Mosaru kudike’ - an event where earthen pots filled with milk, milk products and saffron water are broken.

These pots will be hung at the tip of specially erected wooden poles placed at different places. Men dressed as ‘Yadavas’ will attempt to break the pots before the procession of clay idol Lord Krishna in the golden chariot. The procession will begin at around 3 pm. The idol of the Lord will be immersed in Madhwa Sarovara at 4 pm.

In Mangalore

Though there are no Sri Krishna temples in Mangalore in specific, International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) holds elaborate Janmashtami celebration in the city in all of its branches at Attavar, Arya Samaj Road and Bunts Hostel Circle. Iskcon is celebrating Sri Krishna Janmashtami on September 2 at Devadiga Samaj Bhavan Hall, Mannagudda as well.

Krishna Consciousness Movement will organise Sri Krishna Janmastami celebration at TMA Pai Convention centre on September 2.