Traditional gaiety, fervour mark Janmashtami

PATNA: On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami on Monday, the city seemed to be submerged in an atmosphere of divinity. Prayers, 'aarti, 'kirtan’, 'bhajan’ and recitation of Bhagwad Gita were held at most of the temples of the city. Several cultural and spiritual organizations also celebrated Janmashtami in different localities.
On this occasion, CM Nitish Kumar extended his best wishes and greetings to the people of Bihar.In a message, he called upon people to celebrate this festival with communal harmony, universal brotherhood and peace. Bihar would be developed with the active cooperation and support of the people of the state, he said.
More than 5,000 devotees and followers of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) participated in the festival at SK Memorial hall here. Gaudiya Vision, a Kolkata-based play group, enthralled the devotees with its play 'Sri Krishna Leelamrit’, which was directed by Arjman.
Besides the play, ISKCON organized 'aarti’, 'kirtan’, devotional songs, musical drama and other cultural programmes on this occasion. Krishna Kripa Das, president, ISKCON, Patna, said, "If we follow the path of Lord Krishna, it would lead to a welfare society."
Maharana Pratap Bhavan also organized 'Shri Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav’ here on Monday at its premises. They put up tableaux depicting the life of Lord Krishna, including Krishna’s meeting with Sudama, Radha-Krishna dance, 'maakhan chor’ scene. On the occasion, it also organized "matka phor" ceremony.
Vaishnav Vishwa Darshan Foundation observed Janmashtami as 'Awakening Day’. It launched various eco-friendly programmes including herbal farming, healthy life programme and 'Krishna in yoga’ on the occasion.
Devotees also enjoyed a 'dandiya’ performance by 'little Krishnas’ and a magic show by magician PC Sarkar. Founder of the foundation, Acharya Mahesh Pandit Das, called upon the devotees to fight oppression and surrender to the teachings of Krishna.
Dadijee Shakti Dham temple also celebrated Janmashtami with great devotion.
Besides these organizations, people at large celebrated the festival with fervour. Sudhir Gupta, who has been organizing Janmashtami tableau at his residence at Jamuna apartment, Boring road for the last four decades, told TOI, "This year also we have prepared a tableaux. I have arranged various phases of the god’s life, like Krishna eating butter, dancing with gopis, jail scene, fight of Krishna with the 'sesh naag’ and with Kans."
Art of Living, Patna chapter, organized a 'satsang’ for its members at its office here. It celebrated the day with 'bhajan’ and 'guru pooja’.