Udupi, September 18: Devotees thronged in Udupi for the grand celebrations of the two-day Sri Krishna Jayanti. Mosaru Kudike festival or Vitlapindi was celebrated with pep.
The festivity depicted the spiritual and cultural gala in and around the Car Street. The presiding deity Lord Krishna was specially decorated with ‘Vajrakavacha Alankar’ on this eve. The clay idol of Krishna was taken out in an awesome procession around the Car Street in the golden chariot.
Seer of Paryaya Kaniyur mutt Vidyavallabha Theertha Swamiji offered ‘Mahamangalarathi’ to the clay idol of the deity. The seers of Shiroor mutt and Krishnapura mutt also offered ‘Mahamangalarathi’ to the Lord. The ritual was followed by throwing of coconuts, fruits at the devotees. Eatables like laddoos and chakkulis were given to the devotees as ‘Prasadam’. Several folk and fancy groups, including tiger dance troups added colour to the procession.
The Mumbai based ‘Dahi Handi’ crew, comprising 200 men and 150 women staged a awesome performance here. Their creation of human pyramid to break milk and coloured water pots was indeed a marvellous performance. Performance by “Huli Vesha” artistes was yet another attraction of the procession.
Sri Krishna Leelotsava or Vitlapindi, is the occasion to mark the breaking of milk and saffron water pots which signifies the childhood plays of Lord Sri Krishna. Around 12 to 15 pots filled with curds, milk, saffron colour water were tied on the poles erected for the purpose. This was broken by the men dressed as shepherds using a huge bamboo sticks. The ritual was held in front of the clay idol of the Lord during the procession. Each time, the earthen pots were broken; there was a loud cheer from the people gathered around.
Post procession, the clay idol was immersed in the main temple tank ‘Madhwa Sarovar’, adjacent to the temple. On the occasion, the seers and the devotees also took holy dip in the tank.
Prior to the main event, bhajan programmes, spiritual discourses and other cultural programmes were also organised. The devotees were offered mass feeding on the occasion. Elaborate security arrangements were made by the police for the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
In the morning, the Paryaya Kaniyur mutt seer offered ‘Silver Kavach’ to the idol of Kanakadasa in-front of Sri Krishna temple. Through Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake the seer donated Rs one lakh towards the relief fund of Jammu and Kashmir flood victims.
