Pics: Niranjan M N
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, Sep 3: The Krishna Nagari of Udupi is all set to celebrate the grand festival of Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vittal Pindi, with the Sri Krishna Math and Car Street decked up to welcome thousands of devotees.
The two-day celebrations on September 4 and 5 will feature a host of religious, traditional and cultural programmes, including 'Huli Vesha', wrestling, folk-art performances and the spectacular Vittal Pindi procession.
Preparations at Sri Krishna Math have reached the final stage, with arrangements for devotees, prasada distribution and various religious rituals progressing at a brisk pace.
On the night of September 4, coinciding with the moonrise at 12.06 am, Paryaya Sri Shiroor Matha seer Sri Sri Vedhavardhana Theertha Sripada will perform the Mahapuja and offer Krishna Arghya.
Thousands of devotees are expected to participate in the sacred ceremony.
One of the major attractions of this year's celebrations will be the traditional 'Huli Vesha' competition. The competition, which is generally held for a day, has been extended to two days this year, giving 'Huli Vesha' teams from across Udupi district an opportunity to participate. The Paryaya Sri Shiroor Matha has also announced a cash prize of Rs 1 lac for the winner of the traditional 'Huli Vesha' competition. The colourful tiger dance performances are expected to bring the streets of Udupi alive during the festivities.
The celebrations will culminate on September 5 with Vittal Pindi-Krishna Leelotsava, traditionally celebrated a day after Janmashtami. At around 3 pm, the clay idol of Lord Krishna will be taken out in a grand procession on the golden chariot. The traditional 'Mosaru Kudike' by the Golla community will be one of the highlights of the celebrations. Several folk-art troupes will also participate in the procession, adding colour and grandeur to the event.
On the initiative of the Paryaya Sripada, a special wrestling demonstration by invited wrestling experts will be held on a specially arranged stage in front of Sri Shiroor Matha.
A massive prasada preparation is also under way at the Sri Krishna Math. Following the Mahapuja on Vittal Pindi day, a special 'Annasantarpane' will be organised for devotees. Around 1.5 lac chaklis are being prepared, along with approximately 30,000 pieces each of five varieties of traditional sweets and ladoos. Around 20 quintals of jaggery and seven quintals of sugar will be used to prepare the various delicacies. Prasada will also be distributed to local schools.
Around 80 cooks have been engaged in preparing the chaklis, sweets and other traditional prasada items.
With the Sri Krishna Math and Car Street taking on a festive look, Udupi is ready to welcome Lord Krishna with devotion and grandeur.
The traditional 'Huli Vesha', colourful costumes, folk-art performances, wrestling and the grand Vittal Pindi procession are expected to make the two-day celebrations a spectacular experience for devotees and visitors.