Udupi: Grand Krishna Janmashtami celebrations at Shri Krishna Matha

Team Udayavani, Aug 27, 2024, 9:34 AM IST

Udupi: Shri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with grandeur at Shri Krishna Matha on Monday under the leadership of Paryaya Shri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puttige Matha and Junior Yati Shri Sushrindra Tirtha Swamiji. The event was also graced by Shri Vidyesha Tirtha Swamiji of Bhandarakere Matha. Shri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji of Adamaru Matha assisted in the puja. Thousands of devotees visited the temple throughout the day to seek blessings.

On Monday night, after the Naivedya offering and the Maha Puja, the Swamijis performed the Arghya ceremony for Lord Krishna at 12:07 AM, coinciding with the time of the moonrise. Devotees were later given the opportunity to offer their own Arghya. Earlier in the day, around 9:00 AM, the Swamijis began the Dolu Utsava by performing puja to a clay idol of Lord Krishna placed in a wooden cradle at Madhva Mantapa.

The Shri Krishna Matha was adorned with a variety of flowers, creating a beautiful and festive atmosphere. The Krishna Vesha competition attracted significant attention, as did the decorations outside the temple and along Car Street, which were illuminated and vibrant. The Paryaya Swamiji observed a fast without water, akin to Ekadashi, and conducted the Maha Puja and Tulsi Archana both in the morning and at night. The Swamijis also prepared and offered special food offerings for the night Naivedya.

The festivities included cultural performances such as the Ashtottara Shata Kolalu Vadan by V. Rajesh Baglodu and disciples from Hosabettu, Surathkal, and the Shri Krishna Pushpa Vilasa Yakshagana by the Shri Durgamba Yakshagana Kala Mandali from Manipal. The Hulivesha (tiger dance) added to the celebratory mood.

The Muddha Krishna Vesha competition, held at Rajangana, Geeta Mandir, and Puttige Matha, saw participation from over a thousand children, captivating the audience. Krishna, paper, demon, and tiger costumes were a common sight around Car Street and across the city, delighting onlookers. The floral decoration offered by Yuvraj Muscat was particularly eye-catching.

To ensure safety during the celebrations, the police department implemented tight security across the city. The district SP, along with two additional SPs, a DYSP, four inspectors, 200 police personnel, 50 home guards, four Karnataka State Reserve Police platoons, three District Armed Reserve platoons, and sniffer dog units, monitored the area. More than 15 CCTV cameras were installed around Shri Krishna Matha and Car Street as a precaution.

3D Krishna Avatar Experience

A 3D experience of Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes and other significant events was made available for devotees at the Geeta Mandir. A 7-minute 3D video showcasing Krishna’s divine plays was screened on a large display, drawing the attention of many devotees.

Govardhan Festival Today

On Tuesday, the Shri Krishna Leelotsava (Vittal Pindi) will be celebrated with nine Govardhan devotees dressed in traditional attire. They will break pots filled with buttermilk, turmeric, kumkum, and flowers along Car Street, adding to the festive spirit.

Six ceremonial pots were set up by the Shri Anantheshwar and Shri Chandramoulishwar Temples, with another seven arranged by Shri Krishna Matha. Millions of devotees are expected to participate in the Leelotsava, which will conclude with the immersion of the clay idol in the Madhva Sarovara pond. The festival will begin at 3:00 PM with a ceremonial bath in the Madhva Sarovara, followed by a procession, cultural performances, and traditional folk dances. Annadanam (distribution of prasadam) will be conducted from 11:00 AM onwards.

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrated Across Dakshina Kannada

Mangalore: Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across Dakshina Kannada on Monday. Special pujas were conducted at various Krishna temples, and many devotees observed fasting until moonrise, marking the birth of Lord Krishna with devotion and offering Arghya.

The popular Mosaru Kudike festival, an integral part of Janmashtami, was celebrated in some areas on Monday, while others will observe it on Tuesday. The Kalkura Pratishthana organized a Krishna Vesha competition at the Kadri Temple, which saw participation from hundreds of children. Various temples and organizations across the district also hosted Krishna Vesha competitions, with many parents dressing their children as Krishna and Radha, adding to the festive atmosphere.