Janmashtami celebrated with religious fervour in Udupi

Udupi, Karnataka, Sep 14 (UNI) The annual 'Sri Krishna Janmastami' were being celebrated with great pomp and religious fervour in this famous pilgrim centre and sacred seat of 'Dwaita' (dualism) philosophy.

The entire Sri Krishna temple was decked up with flowers and the presiding deity Lord Krishna decorated as 'Child Krishna in Cradle' to mark the birth of the Lord today.

A large number of devotees were seen waiting in serpentine queues since morning in front of the temple to have a 'darshan' of the Lord. Non-stop bhajans were being held from the morning by various troupes from in and around Udupi city.

Flower vendors, who have camped on both sides of the entire main car street since yesterday, were busy selling their flower stock.

The district police had made special bandobust arrangements in the city as a precautionary measure. Several routes leading to the downtown car street were diverted for vehicular traffic today and tomorrow due to the congregation of hundreds of devotees at the temple.

Large number of devouts and people from the pastoral community would offer 'Arghya' (pouring of milk and water from conch) to the presiding deity at midnight tonight to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. 'Sri Krishna Leelotsav', popularly known as 'Vittala Pindi', would be held tomorrow noon, when a special car festival and 'Mosaru Kudike', breaking of coloured water filled pots hanging from specially erected poles by a group of bare chested people dressed in green leaves, would be held. After the procession, the clay idol of the presiding deity would be immersed in the holy tank 'Madhwa Sarovar'. Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana Seva Samithi had organised mass feeding tomorrow.

On the occasion, Sri Vidyasagara Thirtha Swamiji of Parayaya Krishnapura Mutt, in his message, said Lord Krishna had incarnated in 'Karma Bhoomi' Bharat to protect the good people and punish the bad ones. All people should worship Lord Krishna to purify their lives and bring peace and prosperity into their lives.

UNI MA GD VA BD1904