Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)
Udupi, Aug 22: Preparations for the celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vitla Pindi festivals are in full swing at the Sri Krishna Math of the temple town. The Car Street around the temple wears a festive look. Bhajans reciting is going on inside as well as outside the Math continuously.
On account of the Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vitla Pindi festivals, which will be celebrated on August 23 and 24 respectively, various cultural and religious programmes are being held at the Rajangana of the Sri Krishna Math since a week. In addition, sports competitions are being held for school children.
Janmashtami celebration is not only limited to the Sri Krishna Math. The whole city reverberates with the pomp and gaiety of the festival. People of the city prepare the eatables, which Lord Krishna used to like, with such devotion as if Lord Krishna himself arrives at their homes for the feast.
The word 'Ashtami' is synonymous with various kinds of delicacies. Expert chefs are on the job since a week to prepare these special items. Lord Krishna is fond of Unde and Chakkuli. Lacs of Unde and Chakkuli are prepared for distributing the same to the devotees on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. The job of packing these savories is in its final stages. Mainly savories like Ellunde, Kadlekai Unde, Shunti Unde, Gundittu, Chakkuli, Haralunde and Panchakajjaya are prepared for Ashtami. These are offered as oblation to Lord Krishna and later distributed among the devotees as Prasada.
As per the tradition of Sri Krishna Math, the Prasada is distributed to 40,000 students of 250 educational institutions.
Newly built Suvarna Gopura is the main attraction in this year's Ashtami celebrations. Thousands of devotees come to the temple town of Udupi on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami to take part in the celebrations. Check posts are already installed around the Math as a precaution and several security measures are put in place. Ten pole cutouts are placed around the Car Street in order to tie the pots containing curd (Mosaru Kudike), which will be broken on Vitla Pindi day. These poles are being decorated.
People are buying the leaf holders to prepare Moode (a steamed food) in large numbers. All in all the devotees of Lord Krishna are all set to celebrate the festival in grand style.
On Friday, August 23, Palimar Swamiji will venerate Lord Krishna right from the morning and offer the pooja after midnight and also do the oblation of savories that are already prepared for the occasion. The same process is followed by many devotees at their homes.