Temple City Udupi set for Janmashtami, Leelotsava celebrations
Udupi: The stage is set for Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Sri Krishna Leelotsava (popularly known as ‘Vittal Pindi’) celebrations here on September 2 and 3.
The Sri Krishna Temple will be the centre of attraction during both festivals. The exponent of Dwaita philosophy Sri Madhwacharya installed the idol of Lord Krishna at the Sri Krishna Math/Temple here about 800 years ago.
Janmashtami for locals is incomplete without Mosaru Kudike and Hulivesha. Mosaru Kudike is a festival similar to ‘Dahi Handi’ celebrated in Maharashtra and other parts of North India. It is celebrated as Nada Habba all over the city and the temple town is gearing up for the celebrations.
“Mosaru Kudike” is also celebrated on the day of Vittal Pindi, where clay pots’ comprising of saffron water suspended at a height is broken with wooden poles by folks dressed as shepherds.
As many as 15 wooden gopuras have been set up at different places on Car Street. Earthen pots containing milk and milk products will be hung from these wooden gopuras.
Then people dressed in folk costumes will try to break these pots with sticks. This is known as Mosaru Kudike. As pots are broken at each one of these gopuras, the golden chariot proceeds further. The event becomes colourful with Huli vesha dancers doing their vigorous dance.
After the golden chariot goes around the Car Street and reaches Sri Krishna Temple, the clay idol will be immersed in the Madhwa Sarovara.
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 Palimar Math is ready for Krishna Ashtami celebrations in Udupi. On the Janmashtami Day, Paryaya Palimar Swamiji will hold offerings (Puja). After the Maha Puja, the Swamiji will offer Naivedya (Prasadam/Ladoos), and devotees will join in preparing the ‘ladoos’. In the night, after the Puja around midnight, Sri Krishna will be offered Arghya Pradhana.
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 important ritual of “Arghya Pradhana” to Lord Krishna will be held at the temple at midnight on September 2. The Sri Krishna Leelotsava festival, popularly known as Vittal Pindi, will be celebrated on September 3.
The Paryaya Palimar Math prepares 1 lakh ‘chakkulis’ and 50000 ‘ladoos’ to be distributed to the devotees during Vittal Pindi scheduled to be held on Monday. As many as 6 varieties of ladoos are being prepared.
The police have beefed up security in and around Car Street for the Vittal Pindi. A special police force has been deployed for security purpose.