National Children’s Festival ‘Krishna Vesha Competitions’ Mark Sri Krishna Janmashtami at Kadri
Mangaluru: To mark the Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Kalkura Prathishtana organized a National Children’s Festival “Krishna Vesha Sparde”, at the Kadri Shri Manjunatha Temple precincts here on September 2.
The president of Kalkura Prathisthana Pradeep Kumar Kalkura welcomed the gathering. Speaking on the occasion Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said, “To make children aware about Lord Krishna we started the competitions 33 years ago with only 8 children. But today that it is nice to see children showing interest to take part in the Sri Krishna Vesha competitions, which has attracted people from various parts of the country. When we started for the first time there were a few children taking part in the competitions. But now people bring their children from other districts and states to take part in the competitions. This year we have 34 categories and have also added Sri Krishna Katha drawing competition. Many people have supported us to organize this programme and many have donated various gifts for the children. All the participants will receive gifts so that they are motivated to take part in the competitions every year.”
The programme was inaugurated by Laxmi Narayana Asranna from Kateel Temple by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais. Addressing the gathering Asranna said, “Kalkura Pratishtana is organizing this competition for the past 34 years. By conducting the Sri Krishna Vesha competitions, we can drive away the lethargy from the children and make them active in religious programmes. Today many children along with their parents are here to take part in the Sri Krishna Vesha competitions. I wish them all success.”
Chairman of A J Hospital A J Shetty speaking on the occasion said, “Kalkura Pratishtana is organizing this competition for the past 34 years. I wish all the participants as well as the organizers all the very best.”
All the participants were given an idol of Udupi ‘Kudugolu’ Krishna made of Panchaloha (an alloy) along with books relating to the life story of Shri Krishna, a certificate and a photo of Lord Kadri Sri Manjunatha, a flute, and an attractive cloth bag.
The competitions were held simultaneously at 8 stages in the Temple, they are Shri Krishna Janmamahothsava Samithi Main Stage, Abhishek Hall First Floor, Abhishek Hall Second Floor, Sri Ganapathi Temple, Kalyana Mantap, Manjushri and the one near Kadri Kere Ashwatha Katte from 2:00 pm.
Former Mayor Sashidhar Hegde, Leelaksha Karkera, Prof M B Puranik Praveenchandra Alva, Dayananda Kateel Vice Principal Sharada Vidyalaya, Kodialbail, Jagadish Shenava, Kadri Navneeth Shetty, Sudhakar Rao Pejawar, corporator Ashok and others were also present.