Udupi, September 16: Temple town Udupi is decorated for a week-long Krishna Janmashtami festive and brisk preparations are going on.
On Tuesday September 16th and Wednesday September 17th, Janmashtami is set to be celebrated on a grand scale.
It is time for the little ones to dress up as Krishna and time to witness the Vitlapindi in Udupi. Gokulashtami is celebrated with great zest in South India.
This year, according the Hindu calendar (panchanga); the date has arrived late. The festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of holy Krishna paksha or on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the Bhadon month.
Sri Krishna is considered one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna’s birth was to free the earth from the evil of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good deeds.
Sri Krishna was born in a prison, under the custody of Kamsa. Vasudev, his father immediately thought of his friend Nand and decided to hand over his child to him to save Krishna from the hands of Kamsa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kamsa.
The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during midnight as Sri Krishna was believed to be born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kamsa.
The offerings made to Lord Krishna include fruits, betel, chakli and butter, are Lord Krishna’s favourite’s and dishes such as sweet seedai and Verkadalai Urundai are prepared with great care. Most people fast on this day and eat only after performing pooja at the midnight.
A host of devotional and cultural programmes are organised at various places in the district, especially in the Rajangana auditorium.
The festivities culminate in Vitlapindi, a signature event in which a human pyramid is formed and a chosen boy or girl climbs up to break a pot of curds to the cries of ‘Govinda alare.’ This year about 350 members of Dahi Handi team from Mumbai will participate in the auspicious moment along with 100 supporters.
On Tuesday September 16th morning; various cultural competitions will be held. Thousands of devotees are going to witness Gokulashtami fest in the city.
