Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Sep 4: Preparations connected with the celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami are going on in full swing at Sri Krishna Math here. The Car Street and all the eight Maths located there have been bedecked with flowers and lighting in view of the festival. The flower stalls and other retail shops already have set out their wares around the Math.

Sri Krishnashtami, which falls on September 5 this year, is celebrated to mark the incarnation of Lord Narayana in the form of Lord Krishna on earth. The Lord had taken birth in the form of a human to annihilate the evil spirits which had spread terror and who were becoming a burden for the earth. Their destruction was felt necessary to protect noble people. The divine incarnation is believed to have occurred when Rohini Nakshatra was ruling during the fortnight of waning moon of Simha month as per Hindu calendar.

Religious and cultural programmes are being organized in the Math coupled with various competitions like Rangoli, fancy dress, singing of devotional songs, and many others from Tuesday September 1 onward.

In tune with the set customs and traditions, Paryaya Sri Vidyavallabhateertha Swimiji of Kaniyur mutt initiated the process of preparing Prasadam meant for distribution on the occasion, by preparing of a Laddu by himself. The sweets, laddus and chakkulis are supposed to be the delicacies that are dear to Lord Sri Krishna. About 100 cooks are involved with the preparation of these items since the last three days with great care and devotion.

Thousands of devotees have arrived from the across the nation to the town to take part in the celebrations.

Arghya Pradana (libation) happens to be the most important ritual of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. This will be performed at midnight on Saturday followed by Krishna Leelotsava the next day.

Arghya Pradana involves offering of milk and water to the specially created clay idol of the Lord at the sanctum sanctorum of the temple by the Paryaya Swamiji followed by others. As per mythology, Lord Krishna was born about 5,200 years ago in Mathura town to free the people from the clutches of demons and wicked people.

It is believed that Lord Krishna was born in a prison to Devaki, younger sister of demon Kamsa, and her husband, Vasudeva, in the custody Kamsa. As Lord Krishna faced danger from Kamsa, his father, Vasudeva, had handed over the the newborn to the custody of his friend, Nanda, at midnight by traversing a distance and walking through Yamuna river. Gods and nature had come together to make this happen, in spite of it being a windy and dark night. After that as everyone knows, Krishna spread joy, provided protection to the good people, and eventually killed his merciless maternal uncle, Kamsa. That was how the whole of Gokula got peace and thousands of people got released from the prisons.

The colourful procession of the presiding deity will be taken out on Sunday afternoon along with artistes in unique dresses and make up, musical instruments, and tiger dance groups, to mark the day.

Kaniyur Math has got over 1,80,000 Laddus and Chakkulis prepared. After all the ritual, the Prasadam will be provided to all 32 listed schools.

District superintendent of police, Annamalai, speaking to daijiworld said that all security measures have been made at the district level to ensure that this festival will be a smooth affair. A close watch will be kept on the movement of people, as incidents of chain snatching, pick-pocketing and eve teasing normally occur when a huge crowd gets together and eases into celebration mode.

The police would be beefing up security in and around the car street here for the peaceful Vitla Pindi followed by Mosaru Kudike.

Several CCTVs have been installed in front of Math and other significant places to keep a close watch on the proceedings. All movements recorded through CCTVs will be monitored by the police officials.

But this year, Alare Govinda team, which used to be a special attraction, will not taking part in Vitla Pindi, it is gathered.

Paryaya Kaniyur Math head, Sri Vidyavallabhateertha Swamiji, told media persons that since there is drought across the state and farmers are facing tough days, he would be offering prayers to the Lord on the occasion of his birthday to bless the state with abundant rainfall.