Pics by; Justin Dsilva

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Sep 5: Udupi, the city of Lord Sri Krishna is gearing up in full swing to celebrate its iconic festival of “Sri Krishna Janmasthami” on September 6 and 7.

The car street and the Sri Krishna Math are decked up with a festive mode. Along with the decoration, delicious  Unde and  Chakkulis are also being prepared in large numbers by the cooks of the math. Around 50 cooks are involved in the preparation of these festive prasada. This will be offered to Lord Krishna on the midnight of September 6 and will be distributed to the devotees during the Vitlapindi celebrations on September 7.

A clay idol of Sri Krishna is being prepared by Somanath Chitpady who has been doing this service diligently for the last 21 years.

The most anticipated day of the festive season Vitlapindi will be celebrated  on September 7. The clay idol of the Lord Sri Krishna will be taken out in a procession along the car street and will be immersed in the Madhwa Sarovara.

Gurji have also been placed in the car street which will be used by the Golla community for breaking the curd pots (mosaru kudike).

Mosaru Kudike is the highlight of the entire Vitlapindi celebrations along with pili vesha and other tableaux.

A number of tiger dance troupes are already getting ready for the two-day festivities of Krishna Janasthami celebrations. The pili vesha has become synonym for Asthami festival in Udupi. Shirooru Math has re-launched the traditional pili vesha show during this asthami festival. Earlier Sri Laxmivaratheertha swamiji was a huge patron for the pili vesha troupes in Udupi. The tradition is now being continued by his successor Sri Vedhavardhana Thirtha swamiji.

Various competitions are also being held for the devotees on the occasion.

The festive prasada will begin from 10 am on September 7. Lakhs of devotees  are expected to receive this prasada.