Krishna Leelotsav celebrated in Udupi

Udupi, Karnataka, Sep 15 (UNI) 'Sri Krishna Leelotsav', as part of 'Janmaastami', was celebrated at the famous Sri Krishna temple here with pomp and religious fervour.

Specially made clay idol of Lord Krishna was taken in a colourful procession, participated by the swamijis of 'Ashta Mutt' (eight mutts) of Udupi, besides large number of devotees. Being a friday today, the presiding deity was decorated with 'Mohani Alankaram'.

In the main car street, several cultural and fancy troupes, including 'Yakshagana', 'Bhotta Kola', tiger dance troupes and bare chested people donning blue colour, representing the cowherd community, added colour to the procession.

During the procession, the most significant event of 'Mosaru Kudike', breaking of pots filled with coloured water and hanged on the specially erected poles around car streets, was held.

Bare chested people, dressed with just green leaves, broke the pots with huge bamboo sticks. The assembled seers, after performing maha pooja to the deity in the golden chariot, threw 'prasadam' from the rath towards the assembled devotees. Later, the clay idol was immersed in the main temple tank of Madhawa Sarovar.

Earlier, mid-night yesterday, several hundred devotees assembled in the temple and offered 'Sri Krishna Arghya' (offering of milk and water to the clay idol with a conch) to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. The swamijis of Pejavar Mutt, Kaniyoor, Shiroor and the Paryaya pontiffs participated in the 'Arghya' offering. Maha Pooja was also then conducted to the deity.

The senior pontiff of the Pejavar mutt Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji, who attended the 'Vittala Pindi', soon after left for Delhi to attend a meeting of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

UNI MA GD TS1647