Temple City all set to celebrate Janmashtami and Vittal Pindi
Udupi: The world famous Sri Krishna temple is all set to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Vittal Pindi which will be held from August 24 to 26.
“Mosaru Kudike” is also celebrated on the day of Vittal Pindi, where clay pots comprising of saffron water is suspended at a height is broken with wooden poles by folks dressed as shepherds.
The entire car street has been decked with buntings. Specially decorated poles have been erected around the main Rathabeedhi (Car Street) – the venue for the ‘Sri Krishna Leelotsava,’ popularly known as Vittal Pindi and Mosarukudike to be held on Friday – has added colour to the celebrations.
The Paryaya Pejawar Math is ready for Krishna Ashtami celebrations in Udupi. On the Janmashtami Day, Paryaya Sri Pejawar Math Sri Vishwesha Thirtha Sripad will hold offerings (Puja). After the Maha Puja, the Swamiji will offer Naivedya (Prasadam/Ladoos), and devotees will join in preparing ‘ladoos’. In the night, after the Puja around midnight (11:48 pm) Krishna will be offered Arghya Pradhana.
This year the Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival will be celebrated at the Sri Krishna Math/Temple both on August 24 and 25 due to differences in the “Panchangas.” The important ritual of “Arghya Pradhana” to Lord Krishna will be held at the temple at 11:48 p.m. on August 24 and 25. The Sri Krishna Leelotsava festival, popularly known as Vittal Pindi, will be celebrated on August 26
Arghya means the offering of milk and water to the specially-made clay idol of Lord Sri Krishna at the sanctum of the temple which will be held at midnight and will be the main event, followed by Sri Krishna Leelotsav on the next day, which is locally known as Vittal Pindi. The colourful procession of the presiding deity will be held in the afternoon along with several fancy, folk and cultural troupes with tiger dances marking the day.
The Pejawar Math prepares 1.50 lakh ‘chakkulis’ and 3 lakh ‘ladoos’ to be distributed to the devotees during Vittal Pindi scheduled to be held on Friday. As many as 6 varieties of ladoos are being prepared.
100 – 150 staff at the math have started preparing the chakkulis and laddus. After fasting from morning to midnight on 25 and 26 august, chakkullis and laddus will be offered to Krishna and then will be served to people on 26 August on the eve of Vittal Pindi. Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji will offer the Arghya followed by special Pujas. Children studying in schools will also be provided with ladoos and chakkulis.
The female elephant Subhadra of Sri Krishna Temple, which used to participate in festivities, was sent from Udupi to the elephant camp at Sakrebail in Shivamogga district for medical treatment and brought back to Udupi on August 22. As per the orders of Ramanath Rai minister for Forest and environment, the elephant was brought from Sakrebail.
The police have beefed up security in and around Car Street for the Vittal Pindi. The special police force has been deployed for security purpose.