Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 27: Thousands of devotees thronged to Car Street in Udupi to enjoy the annual festivities of Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vittlapindi Mahothsav which concluded on Friday, August 26.
Soaked in festive fervour, devotees took part in final day celebration of Janmashtami and Mahothav.
2
More than 20 troupes of ‘Huli Vesha’ (tiger dance) and fancy-dress show added fervour to the celebration. This year, kids were also seen performing ‘Huli Vesha’ with the support of co-dancers.
‘Bairavanath’, a team of band set arrived from Pune and a big tableau of epic characters also depicted colourful and devotional ‘rathotsava’ celebration.
Home minister for Karnataka, Dr G Parameshwar visited Sri Krishna math and received blessings from Pejawar Swamiji on the occasion.
The day's event started with ‘Maha Pooja’ at Sri Krishna Math at 5.30 am. The Golden Chariot procession with a clay idol of Lord Krishna commenced at 3:30 pm at the Car Street.
The clay idol was later immersed in the temple pond ‘Madhwa Sarovara’. The Rathri Pooja was held at 7.30 pm at the shrine.
A team of shepherds (dressed up as Golla community) entertained the people with ‘Mosaru Kudike’ (breaking pot) in their unique game using bamboos.
Before ‘Rathotsava’, Krishna temple, Sri Pejawar Swamiji of Paryaya Pejawar Math distributed sweets and chaklis to devotees. As per tradition, people caught sweets, bananas, chaklis thrown by the seers.
Junior Sri Vishwa Prasanna Swamiji and Sri Lakshmivar Theerta Swamiji of Shiroor math among others were also present.
A maha Annasantarpana was held both in the Rajangana and dining hall of the temple and hundreds of self-help group volunteers joined their hands in serving food.
After the rathotsava ended, cultural programmes were put up at Rajangana stage and at Sri Anna Vittala platform near Rajangana parking area.
With this the religious program of Krishna Janmastami was officially concluded. All those who wore costumes and part of the programme were given prizes on behalf of math.
Apart from this, devotees were seen busy purchasing dress, bags, bangles, cosmetics, decorative items and toys for kids.
Schools and colleges were given holiday on Friday.
SP K T Balakrishna led the security arrangements.