All set to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth

Bhopal: Temples across the city are all decked up with colourful lights and ‘jhulas’ put in place to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna on Janmasthmi on Friday and Saturday.

As city prepares for hte festival, temples across the city have arranged for mahaartis and processions on the occasion. Several groups have also organinsed ‘matki-phod’ competitions in many parts of the city. Old age home ‘apna ghar’ will organise a special ‘dahi handi’ competition for girls on Friday.

“A grand procession will be taken out from near Beemakunj petrol pump in Kolar at 3 pm. Devotees will participate in the procession chanting the name of Lord Krishna. The abhishek of the Lord will be done by 51 priests to be followed by a bhajan nite till midnight,” said Sanjeev Dube of Kolar Kehni, a religious and social organization.

Atul Kaushal, of Harihar Mahotsav Dharmik evam Samajik Sanstha, said, “This year we have a special treat for our devotees at Shriji Mandir, Lakherapura. We will celebrate Janmasthmi on Saturday. This year, we have put up a special tableau of ‘Amarnath’ for devotees visiting the temple on Janmasthmi. The tableau, themed on environment protection and water conservation, will have live music on dhol and band to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.”

Special aartis and bhajan nites have also been organised at Birla Mandir and Krishna Pranami Mandir that will begin in the evening and go on till midnight. The Krishna Pranami mandir will orgnaise a garba programme after the midnight mahaarti on the temple premises.

Mamtesh Sharma, secretary of Pranami temple said, “As devotees will be fasting on this day, distribution of makkhan-mishri will start from 7 pm so that no devotee goes hungry form the temple. The bhajan nite will also start in the evening and conclude with Mahaarrti. We are expecting around 15,000 devotees to be present during the Mahaaarti. They will then take part in the garba dance programme after midnight.”

Besides, the city will also witness several matki-phod events at big and small tableaus across the city. The Harihar Mahotsav organization will organise dahi-handi at Lakherapura, Loha Bazar, Ghoda Nakkas, Mangalwara, Itwara and Chintaman Chowk. The biggest Matki-phod event of the city will be organised by Hindu Utsav Samiti at Kolar Dussehra Maidan on August 25.

“All the main squares from which the procession will pass will also have a dahi-handi programme. We have organised the contest at 21 squares of the city,” said Mahendra Singh of Harihar Mahotsav Samiti.

In addition, a special dahi-handi competition will be held for girls near ‘Apna ghar’ old age home in Kolar.

“At most places, it is the boys taking part in matki-phod events, but I feel that girls are as brave as boys so we have invited girls from all over the city to take part in the maki-phod event this year,” said Madhuri Mishra of Apna Ghar.

A matki-phod competition will be organised by Yuva Sahayog Manch at Nehru Nagar squarer on Friday.


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