Mangalore, Aug 17: Thousands of children dressed in Shri Krishna attires participated in the Shri Krishna Vesha competition held at Kadri Shree Manjunatha Temple on August 17 Sunday.
More than 2000 children participated in the national-level Shri Krishna Festival organized by Kalkura Prathishtana.
Speaking after inaugurating the event, Laxminarayana Asranna said that he was happy to see many small kids dressed in Krishna attire, apart from it, the competitors of the past has brought their kids to participate in the same event now.
Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that, the purpose of the competition was to enhance cultural and religious awareness among the public and to awaken hidden talents in small children. The competition will continue till 12 midnight.
The contest were held in 24 categories including Kanda Krishna for kids below the age of one, Muddu Krishna for children below the age of two (mothers can accompany children on stage), Thunta Krishna for children in the age group of 2 – 3, Bala Krishna for nursery and LKG kids, Kishora Krishna for UKG and Std. I kids, Shri Krishna for kids from Std. II, Std. III, and Std. IV, Geetha Krishna for children upto Std. VII (create Geethopadesha situation with costumes), Yaksha Krishna for children till Std. X (required to wear Yakshagana costumes), Radha Krishna and Yashoda Krishna for women and children up to 12 years of age, Shankanada with traditional costumes in two categories for kids up to Std. VII, Shankha Udgosha for children above Std. VII and open for with traditional costume. Devaki Krishna for mothers and their children, and Vasudeva Krishna for parents (men or women) and their children (no plastic baskets not allowed). Nanda Gokula has been organized for a group of 5 people of any age group to present an episode from the life of Lord Krishna.
A category Bala Krishna quiz competition for students up to Std VII and Shri Krishna Quiz will be held for children above Std. VII, which do not need traditional costume. Apart from it a special category has been introduced titled ‘Krishna Photography’ which requires participants to attend with costume of Krishna with attractive pose at the stage in Temple premises. Six special categories was held in Sri Krishna Varna Vaibhava drawing competition for all.
The competitions were held in 8 platforms in Kadri Shri Manjunath temple premises including Abhishek Hall in the two floors- Manjushree, Ashwattha Katte, Kadri Kere, Shri Krishna Janmashtami Samiti main stage, Kalyana Mantapa and Ganapati temple.
Each participant received a panchaloha idol of Kadegolu Krishna, Bhagavadgita, a certificate, a picture of Lord Manjunatha, and an attractive cloth bag each. The children were also served hot milk, peda, and ice cream.
Navneeth Shetty, Janardhan Hande, Ratnakar Jain, Dayananda Kateel, M. Prabhakar Joshi, Leela Udpadyay and Vijayalakshmi Shetty among other were present.
