Rons Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 28: The Gokul Mandir in Sion West, Mumbai, celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami with religious and cultural fervor. Organized by the Gopalakrishna Public Trust and the BSKB Association, the event marked the 5,252nd birth anniversary of Bhagwan Sri Krishna.

The celebrations began with the installation of 108 silver kalash (sacred pots), followed by prayers, mangalarati, and various rituals. The main priests, including V.M. Srinivas Bhat Dharegudde, Ganesh Bhat, Hari Bhat Mundkur, Ram Vithal Kalluraya, and Akshay Ballal, performed the traditional silver kalashabhisheka (ritual bathing with silver pots) for Lord Krishna. Devotees, along with their families, also participated in the ritual, receiving the kalash as prasad.

The previous evening featured cultural performances, including saxophone music by Harish Poojari and team, bhajans by the Acharya Parivar, and a musical concert by the Vakratunda Sangeet team. The night culminated in religious recitations such as Vishnu Sahasranama and Sri Krishnashtottara, followed by the midnight Janmashtami puja and arghya (offering).

On Tuesday, as part of the Janmashtami celebrations, the temple hosted a special Udupi-style ‘Mosaru Kudike’ (Dahi Handi) festival. The day began with a 108 silver kalashabhisheka for Lord Krishna, followed by a grand puja and a maha annaprasada (community feast) in the afternoon.

The festivities continued with traditional dance performances, including tiger dance, kari vesha (black face dance), yakshagana, and musical ensembles, led by Ashok Kodyadka and his team. The Udupi-style palanquin procession added to the grandeur of the event.

The cultural segment also featured a Yakshagana performance, Panchajanya, directed by Geeta R.L. Bhat and performed by members of the Gokul Mandir. The annual Sri Krishnashtami celebrations concluded with a maha mangalarati, teerthaprasad (holy offering), and light refreshments.

Prominent priests like Chandrashekhar Bhat, Prakash Bhat Goregaon, Bhavani Shankar Bhat, Nagaraj Aital, and Vasudev Bhat conducted the rituals. Dr Suresh S Rao Kateel and Vijayalakshmi Suresh Rao, along with A P K Pothi and Sahana A Pothi, officiated the puja as yajamanas (hosts).

The event saw participation from vice presidents Vaman Holla and Avinash Shastri, secretary A P K Pothi, treasurer C A Haridas Bhat, joint secretary Chitra Melmane, joint treasurer Ganesh Bhat, women's wing president Sahana A Pothi, youth wing president Prashanth Herle, Gokul Bhajana Mandali committee president I K Prema S Rao, cultural wing president Vinodini Rao, and Krishna costume competition committee president Deepak Shivathaya. Former president K Subbanna Rao, GPT trustees B Ramananda Rao, Krishna Acharya, and Ashraya Committee president K Raghuram Acharya were also present. The event was graced by devotees in large numbers, including Radhekishan Damani and B R Shetty (Valakadu), who performed special puja for Sri Krishna.