Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Aug 20: Srikrishna Janmashtami, which is the celebration by the mankind of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, paves way for celebration, wearing of colourful costumes, singing of devotional songs, making of delicious dishes, and consuming them after performing puja and offering them to Lord Krishna. Not only that, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated in umpteen ways, the purpose of every aspect of which is to celebrate the birth of the Lord for annihilating the demons, and also the fact that he showed how a person should live, celebrating each day of his life, without sacrificing the principles. The next day is celebrated as ‘Vittal Pindi’ in which the people replicate divine sport of Srikrishna and break earthen pots containing cash or kind, that are hung at high altitudes, by making human pyramids.
Lord Krishna, eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the most revered and worshipped god of the country. Thanks to Iskcon, he has also earned large number of devotees the world over. Most of the places associated with Lord Krishna, like Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka, Gokul etc are in north India, and in south India, Udupi is the most famous pilgrimage centre dedicated to Lord Krishna. The colourful life Srikrishna led, and his divine plays (lila) aimed at annihilating the demons, as well as the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ containing specific advices on handling critical situations in life preached by him, have made people since thousands of years, to look up to the Lord with admiration and awe, for courage and inspiration.
Lord Krishna was born in a prison cell to Vasudeva and Devaki over 5,000 years ago. The day on which he ws born happened tobe the eighth (Ashtrami) day of the dark fortnight of Shravana month, and the ruling star as per Hindu customs at the time was Rohini. People celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday mostly on Ashtami day, while some also follow the practice of celebrating it on the day on which Rohini is the ruling star. In Udupi, where it is celebrated on Ashtami day, the day is known as ‘Srikrishna Jayanti’ if Rohini Nakshatra is the ruling star on Ashtami day, otherwise it is just called ‘Srikrishna Janmashtami’
Paryaya Shirur Mutt head, Sri Lakshmivarateertha Swamiji, has got a large number of currency note garlands made. These garlands will be offered to people dressed and made up in different costumes (Veshas). A total of Rs 15 lac worth currency notes have been used to make these garlands, it is learnt. The Mutt plans to present a garland worth Rs 1,000 to each of the Huli Veshas (tiger), Rs 500 to Veshas depicting legendary or folklore characters, and Rs 250 worth of garlands to the young children who participate in the ‘Muddukrishna’ contest. In addition, money is also paid to band sets and other instrumentalists. The total expenses the Mutt will meet this time to celebrate Janmashtami has been put at Rs 50 lac.
1,50,000 Chakkulis, 75,000 Laddus, etc are under preparation. On Vittal Pindi day, the chariot of the Lord will be fashioned on the basis of folk art of the region. ‘Mahapuja’ will be held at 11 pm on Sunday, while ‘Arghya Pradana (libation)’ will be conducted at 11.47 pm. The ‘Muddukrihna’, and ‘Muddu Radhakrishna’ competitions will be held at Rajangana on the afternoon of Sunday. At 11 am on Monday, noted drummer, Shivamani, will enthrall the people with his histrionics.