Scores Take Part in Lord Krsna's Birthday

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Children play Lord Krsna in a play
[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Aug 17, 2014 — JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Jagannatha Dham Puri and temple city Bhubaneswar were soaked in religious fervour on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami on Sunday. Jagannath Temple and ISKCON temples in Puri and Bhubaneswar were flooded with Lord Krsna followers.

Prasadam, songs, drama and Deity worship marked the birth of Lord Krsna. While security was tightened in all temples to avoid any unsavoury incidents, the annual celebration was peaceful in the temples of Orissa.

The ISCKON temples observed the festival in grand manner and witnessed long queues of devotees beginning Sunday morning. The temple administrators organised a series of programmes including song, quizzes, Krsna look-a-like and art competitions among the school children, and cultural programmes in the evening. The birth of Lord Krsna was observed at 12 midnight.

Janmashtami celebrations at ISKCON Bhubaneswar
[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

"Like previous years, this year also we celebrated it in big way. Individuals from all age groups came to the temple and offered prayers," said Krishnagati das, an ISKCON temple functionary in Bhubaneswar. The temple also installed a swing (jhoola) for Lord Krsna on its premises. Nanda Utsav will be observed on Monday.

"I observed fasting and came for darshan of Lord Krsna in the temple. There was huge rush among curious pilgrims. The ambience was great and peaceful," said Govind Mohanty, a devotee.

Devotees outside ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar
[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]

Community daises were erected at different places for Nanda Utsav. "The celebrations after the birth of Lord Krsna are known as Nanda Utsav, which will begin from Monday," said Sribtsa Behera, an organizer of Nanda Utsav in Unit-IV area of Bhubaneswar.

In Puri, special rituals were solemnized at Jagannatha Temple. Devotees made a beeline for the ISKCON temple to get Lord Krsna's Prasadam.

[ Photo: Sampradaya Sun ]