Feast, concerts to mark Janmashtami

NASHIK: The city's cultural and social organisation has major plans for Krishna Janmashtami this year, as it will be celebrated at 12 midnight on Wednesday. "Janmashtami is the grandest of all Vaishnava festivals. The celebration will begin at 4.30am on Wednesday with mangal-arati at ISKCON temple," said Narsimha Krupa Das, in-charge of the guest department at Nashik's ISKCON temple. Das said that devotees prepare a big feast of at least 108 varieties in their kitchen for the occasion, to offer to Krishna at midnight. "A 50,000 sq ft main tent is already constructed at the temple. Apart from kirtan and bhajan, we will also have drama, dance and lecture events," he said.In 191-year-old Muralidhar Mandir, one of the oldest temples in the city, celebrations of Janmashthami will be held at 12 midnight on Wednesday. "The idol will be decorated in traditional manner. Amit Sant from Sant family, one of the traditional custodians of the temple, will perform the rituals. We have also organized concerts of devotionals songs by Nandakumar Deshpande earlier," said Sandesh Sant, coordinator. As per the tradition, the custodians of the temple are decorating idol of Krishna in nine different avatars. Dahi handi groups in the city too are also gearing up for the grand celebrations this year. Most of the dahi handi organisers had cancelled their events last year due to the prevailing drought conditions. "Our dahi handi will be held on Thursday at Ozar wherein well-known TV stars will encourage the Govindas. We will be following all the directives of the high court," said Yatin Kadam, convener of the dahi handi organized by Raosaheb Kadam Health Club. Click here for complete coverage on JanmashtamiShare your Janmashtami greetings here