Udupi : Krishna Janmastami was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety on Wednesday with thousands of devotees ascending on this temple town known for its Krishna temple.

The entire town and the main car street here has been decorated with flowers and specially erected poles around the car street to hold 'Sri Krishna Leelotsav' locally known as 'Vittlapindi' or 'Mosarukudike' tomorrow with the participation of swamijis of Asta Mutt (eight mutt) of Udupi and large number of devotees who have already come from various parts of the country.

The grand celebrations would begin at midnight today and continue for the next two days.

The temple was specially decorated with flowers and the sanctum sanctorum of the temple fully covered with flowers where the 'Arghyapradan' (offering of milk and holy water) was offered to the specially made clay idol of Lord Krishna by the devotees under the guidance of Sri Laxmivara Thirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Shiroor Mutt to mark the birth of Lord Sri Krishna.

The presiding deity was decorated by the Paryaya seer in the form of 'Bala Krishna'.

Large number of devotees from cowherd community from the surrounding places of Udupi taluk are camping at the temple town since last night for performing 'Arghyapradan'.

Special Pooja would be performed at the temple from midnight after observing a day fasting by the swamijis as well as the devotees. They would offer special items like 'laddus' and 'chakkuli' to the Lord on the occasion.

As part of Janmastami, a grand colourful procession would be taken around the car street in the golden chariot tomorrow evening. Several fancy troupes and folk troupes will add colour to the procession. After the procession, the clay idol will be immersed in 'Madhwa Sarovar', the main temple tank followed by holy dip by the swamijis and the devotees.

Special mass feeding has also been arranged at the temple tomorrow on the occasion.

The cultural event as part of the Janmastami was inaugurated at the temple in the morning today. Since last ten days, the Paryaya mutt had also arranged various competitions for various age groups.

A grand tiger dance competition has also been arranged by the mutt tomorrow.

In Bangalore, thousands thronged the Sri Krishna temple built by ISKCON, a prominent religious and tourist destination in the tech hub.

Krishna Janmashtami would be celebrated for two days from today.

Special abhisheka, offerings and 'Jhulan Seva' of Balakrishna was performed.

In the morning Krishna costume show witnessed hundreds of toddlers dressed up like Lord Krishna was a big hit with the visitors.

Madhyaratrika Maha Abhisheka would begin at six AM tomorrow where a display of 108 food offerings to the Lord and special midnight arathi would be held. Devotional music concerts were being held continuously since this morning.

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