Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (RJP/HB)

Mangaluru, Aug 23: When the nation is geared up to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, coastal region with its own unique customs is also getting ready for the special feast.

Mangaluru

Udupi

Mangaluru and Udupi cities in the region have started their preparations well in advance. The feast is also known as Gokulashtami here.Villages in the twin-districts are also ready with the preparations.

The festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapad in the Hindu calendar which falls usually either in August or September of the English calendar.

Sri Krishna temple Udupi

Krishna Janmashtami preparation is going on in full swing at Sri Krishna temple here. The car street and Ashta Maths are being decorated with flowers and lightings. The flower stalls and other retail shops have already opened around the temple.

The days of religious and cultural programmes have started which include fancy dress and singing of devotional songs.

3 lacs laddus and 1.50 lac chaklis are being prepared by more than 150 cooks since last two days with great care. Five different types of laddus are being prepared which include sesame laddu, corn laddu and flour laddu. The prasadam will be distributed in 32 schools and to devotees.

The Rathotsava of clay idol of Sri Krishna, Vittla pindi, mosaru kudike will be held on Friday, August 26.

Subhadre back to Udupi

26 year-old elephant Subhadre was brought back to Udupi on August 22,  as per the instruction of  forest minister Ramanath Rai, after seven month of long treatment at elephant camp in Sakrebail near Shivamogga.  She will take part in the Rathotsava.