Car Street overflows with devotion and celebration

Janmashtami in Udupi

The three-day celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami culminated amidst thousands of devotees witnessing wonderful religious and spiritual gala in town.

The events, including “Sri Krishna Leelotsava,” popularly known as “Vittlapindi” or “Mosarukudike Habba,” were celebrated with devotion and splendour.

The devotees, who were seen flooding the Car Street, followed the procession that was initiated by the folk dance troupe from Pune in Maharashtra. The team, with its vigour and vibrancy, attracted the viewers in large number. The folk art was followed by various groups of tiger dance, which performed the spectacular tactics supporting the idea of fire play and aerobics.

The artistes who performed in the tiger dance troupes comprised of the kids aged two years to seniors aged 60 years. It was all fun for the performers and for the spectators as well. The ‘Thattiraya’ and the mammoth replicas of Yakshagana characters displayed magnificent presentation.

The mesmerising event on the occasion was breaking the earthen pots filled with milk, curds, saffron and yellow-coloured water and hanging high from wooden poles erected for the purpose. There were around 30 pots hanging high in line and the ritual was held in front of a clay idol of Lord Krishna during the procession.

Many foreigners were immersed in the rich cultural programmes in the afternoon. The Car Street was also overflowing with religious chants and devotional music. There were artistes performing ‘Marakalu’, mimicry artists and other cultural performers who added zeal to the artistic extravaganza.

A glorious parade on the Car Street was held wherein the clay idol of Lord Krishna in the golden chariot was taken around, and was immersed in the Madhwa Sarovar by Paryaya Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha Swami. The Pejawar junior seer Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swami and Shiroor mutt seer Lakshmivara Theertha Swami accompanied the chariots and took part in the celebrations. The other seers were not present as the Janmashtami of Lord Krishna was celebrated for two days and some mutts had the celebrations of Mosaru Kudike on Thursday.

The idol of Lord Krishna was specially decorated with “Vajrakavacha Alankar” (diamond armour). The temple was especially decorated with flowers and the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was ornamented with flowers and tulasi petals. Paryaya Pejawar mutt seer offered “Mahamangalarathi” to the clay idol of the Lord in the chariot.

The other seers who were present on the occasion also offered “Mahamangalarathi” to the Lord. The ritual was followed by throwing of coins, coconuts, fruits and eatables towards the devotees. The entire town was bestowed with festive environment and the Car Street was decorated with flowers. Eatables like laddus and chakkulis were given to the devotees as “Prasadam” all over the Car Street.