Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 27: The celebration of Mukunda Sri Krishna's birth anniversary was held with grandeur at Sri Pejawar Math in Mumbai, Santacruz East, organized by Sri Pejawar Math Mumbai and Sri Poorna Prajna Vidyapeetha.

The annual Krishna Janmashtami festival began with blessings and guidance from Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha Swamiji of Udupi Pejawar Math and the invocation of Sri Vishweshateertha Swamiji. The ceremony included various rituals performed by priest Raghavendra Bhat Undaru, including floral decoration, Rangapuja, and Mahapuja.

On Monday night, the main deity, Sri Udupi Krishna, was honored with a series of rituals conducted by Vidwan Dr Ramadas Upadhyaya of Pejawar Math, who performed the Mahamangalarati. The Krishna Leelotsava was formally inaugurated.

On Tuesday evening, Dinesh Kotyan’s saxophone performance, accompanied by a band and traditional instruments, was followed by a tiger dance performance by Ashok Kodyadka’s troupe. Various cultural programs, including the Vittalpindi festival and Mosaru Kudike celebrations, were held. Priest Suresh Bhat Kuntaadi conducted the Krishna Pallaki Utsav and Krishna Ratha Utsav in Prabhat Colony.

Children dressed as Krishna performed on stage at the Math’s Sabha Hall. As part of the cultural program, B R Shetty of B R Hotel Group sponsored a musical presentation by the Vidya Bhooshana group.

Distinguished guests included Vidwan Dr Ramadas Upadhyaya, Vidwan Prakash Acharya Ramakunja, Vidwan Srihari Bhat, and Niranjan J Gokte. They honored Krishna costume-clad children and praised the performers.

The event saw the presence of Avinash Shastri and other office bearers of Sri Poorna Prajna Vidyapeetha, founder of Sri Krishna Vittala Pratishtana Vidwan Kairabettu Vishwanath Bhat, Pavan Bhat Annigeri, B R Shetty Udupi (Valakadu), Shekhar J Salian, Devendra Bangera, and Shekhar Sasihetlu, among many other devotees. The festival concluded with the Mahapuja and Mahamangalarati, followed by the distribution of prasadam and a mix of religious and cultural activities.