Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 15: Temple town Udupi is all decked up for week-long Krishna Janmashtami festivities and all preparations are going on in full swing.
Janmashtami is set to be celebrated on a grand scale on Tuesday September 16 and Wednesday September 17.
It is time for the little ones to dress up as Krishna and time to witness the Vitlapindi in Udupi. Gokulashtami is celebrated with great fervor in South India.
This year, the date has arrived late according the Hindu calendar (panchanga). The festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of holy Krishna paksha or on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the Bhadon month.
Sri Krishna is considered one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna's birth was to free the earth from the evil of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good karma.
Sri Krishna was born in a prison, in the custody of Kamsa. Vasudev, his father immediately thought of his friend Nand and decided to hand over his child to him to save Krishna from the clutches of Kamsa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kamsa.
The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during midnight as Sri Krishna was believed to be born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kamsa.
The offerings made to Lord Krishna include fruits, betel, chakli and butter, which are Lord Krishna's favorites and dishes such as sweet seedai and Verkadalai Urundai are prepared with great care. Most people observe a strict fast on this day and eat only after the midnight puja.
A host of devotional and cultural programmes are started at various places in the district, especially in the Rajangana auditorium.
The festivities culminate in Vitlapindi, a signature event in which a human pyramid is formed and a chosen boy or girl climbs up to break a pot of curds to the cries of 'Govinda alare.' This year about 350 members of Dahi Handi team from Mumbai will participate in the auspicious moment along with 100 supporters.
Various cultural competitions will be held on Tuesday September 16, beginning in the morning. The Gokulashtami fervor will be witnessed by thousands of devotees in the city.