Kadri temple filled with pranks of 'little Krishnas'

The corridor of Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple, Mangaluru, was filled with the pranks of hundreds of 'little Krishnas' on Sunday.

The children took part in Sri Krishna Vesha competition, the national children’s festival organised by Kalkura Pratishthana, on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Mangaluru on Sunday.

It was a delight to see tiny Krishnas dressed up in yellow dhothi, wearing a headgear with peacock feather tucked into it, and clanging anklets on the feet. And not to miss out on the colourful flutes.

Pranks of little Krishnas such as stealing butter and bothering Gopika women, also amused the gathering. Children of various age-groups, dressed up as ‘Muddu Krishna’, ‘Kanda Krishna’, ‘Tunta Krishna’, ‘Bala Krishna’, ‘Kishora Krishna’ and so on, were vying for attention.

Participants of Radha-Krishna, the couple, danced to the tune of devotional songs ‘Kanha re - Nanda Nandana’, ‘Madhuban Me jo Kanhayya’ and ‘Ako Shyama Avale Radhe’. Children and their mothers gracefully enacted Krishna and Yashoda on stage.

Scenes from Hindu mythology, involving Krishna, were recreated on the occasion. Vasudeva carrying the newborn Krishna placed in a basket, with a huge serpent protecting the child by covering him with its hood, was reinterpreted with creative ideas by parents.

A boy dressed up as Lord Krishna riding on his vehicle ‘Garuda’, the eagle, and carrying his disc ‘Sudarashana’ and conch ‘Panchajanya’, grabbed the attention of many.

Amidst all this, sleeping Krishnas enjoyed a sound nap.

A category of ‘Chaya Krishna’ was meant for the photos of tiny Krishnas. Drawing and painting competitions were also held on the theme of the day.

During the formal programme, Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple priest Lakshminarayana Asranna inaugurated the Krishna Vesha competition. Infant Krishnas were placed in the cradle on the occasion.

Kalkura Pratishthana and Dakshina Kannada district Kannada Sahitya Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, Saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath, Mayor Bhaskar K and Corporator Shashidhar Hegde among others were present.