Ludhiana ready to welcome the Blue God

LUDHIANA: Janamashtmi, the birth of Lord Krishna is the time when the city comes together in a frenzy of joy. The atmosphere is charged up, with devotees singing and dancing in the streets or in temples beautifully lit up in honour of the Blue God. Flowers are showered everywhere to mark Krishna's "Raas" or the dance of spiritual love.
Resident of Janpath Estate will celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna with traditional fervour.Sweety Chawla, a resident of Janpath Estate said, "Festivals bind us together. Though we shifted to Janpath only last year, festivals have made us feel like we belong here. And when it comes to the birth of Lord Krishna, that is simply amazing."
There are long queues in front of temples as devotees wait to tug the cradle of Baal Krishna or the Child Krishna. Ashish Arora, a resident of BRS Nagar said, "Since my childhood, I go to the Krishna temple on Janamastmi. Celebrations are grand there and for that matter in ISCKON temple."
Also, many devotees will travel to Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood days. Meetu Khosla, a resident of Basant Avenue, whose tattoos are also dedicated to Lord Krishna said, "Every year, I go to Vrindavan to celebrate Janamastmi. For me, its a biggest event of the year."
It is a special time for doting parents too, who excitedly deck their toddlers up in Radha and Krishna attire, replete with "bansuri", peacock feathers and anklets. Robin Makhija, a resident of Rishi Nagar got her nine-month-old daughter Lavanya dressed in Krishna's attire for the kirtan at home.
The toastmasters' group that meets every Sunday has dedicated their meet to the festival and have kept the title of meet, "The joys and festivals". Devotees will fast on the day of Janamashtmi as a mark of devotion towards Lord Krishna.
Prachi Malhotra, a resident of Agar Nagar said, "I have fasted on Janamashtmi since the age of 10 and I have been observing this fast for 17 years. Its my way of worshipping my Lord on his Birthday."
While for few, the traditions hold a heartfelt association, for some its just a holiday to sit back and relax. Akash Jain, a resident of Civil Lines said, "I am not very religious, its just a holiday for me so I will sit enjoy myself."