STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: A grand function to mark the celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, birth of Lord Krishna, was held at International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple, Dream City, Muthi. Thousands of devotees from every nook and corner of the Winter Capital, thronged the temple and took the blessings of Bhagwan Krishna. They worshipped to celebrate the festival and offered special ‘Bhog’ on the occasion, waiting in queues outside the temples to have Darshan of Bhagwan Krishna.
The temple was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights besides special stalls were also installed highlighting the teachings of Lord Krishna.
Amid blowing of conch shells and chanting of Vedic hymns, worshippers offered prayers since early morning in temples which wore a festive look.
Devotees observed day-long fasts as special delicacies for the occasion remained an attraction.
Earlier the programme started with Mangal Aarti, followed by day long Akhand-Kirtan. An impressive Shobha Yatra of Rath of Bhagwan Krishan was also taken out.
In the evening Gaur Aarti was performed with kirtan and devotees were seen dancing on the bhajans of Lord Krishna. Children dressed as ‘Krishna’ and ‘Gopikas’ and floats depicting various incarnations of the Lord were the highlights of the celebration.
After that Maha Abhishek of Lord Krishna was performed with religious fervor and the devotees were seen dancing while going into the state of trance.
At last Falahar Prashadam was served to the devotees where the devotees of Lord Krishna also showed their participation with enthusiasm.
Rainawari KP Action Committee celebrated Janmashtami at Hari Parbhat, Dok Paloura. The celebrations started with the offering of Navediya to Bhagwan Krishna. Leelas and Bhajans dedicated to the Bhagwan Krishna were sung by devotees.
Gita recitation and other Sholakas dedicated to Leela Puroshtam by Ramesh Sapru, Anjana Razdan, Roop Krishen Razdan and their team.
On this occasion 6th edition of Sharika Leela Lahiri was released by Shri Shri Sharika Chakreshwar Sanstha, Hari Parvat Srinagar, Devi Angan/Dok Paloura, Jammu.
People present on the occasion include B. L Jalali, President of the Committee, Ranjeet Gurkha, President, Shri Shri Jagat Amba Sharika, Chakreshwar, Sanstha. Among others present were Sanjay Raina, Ajay Raina, R.L Koul, Secretary ASKPC, Ramesh Kaw, Dr Mahesh Kaul, Virender Dembi, Kishore Mattoo, K.J Bhat, S.K Khar, Veer Jalali, Ravinder Jalali and J.K Khar.
Kite flying has gained popularity amid Janmashtami celebrations in Jammu region. People, especially children and youth, reveled in flying kites to mark the occasion of Janmashtami in the capital city and other towns of Jammu region. People were seen purchasing kites and threads from the shops since morning and at some places there was a beeline of youth in front of such shops dealing in selling of kites. Meanwhile, Janmashtami festival was celebrated across Kashmir Valley. Attired in their colourful best with some kids dressed up as Lord Krishna, dozens of Kashmiri Pandits today took out a procession here in Srinagar to celebrate ‘Janmashtami.’
Amidst religious chants in praise of Lord Krishna, the procession began from temple in the Habbakadal area of the city and passed through Kralkhud, Barbarshah before reaching the clock tower at the historic Lal Chowk before concluding peacefully at the place of its origin.
The Kashmiri Pandits living in the Valley thronged various temples since this morning and participated in ‘Puja Archana, Bhajan Kirtan and Prasad Vitaran’ before joining the march.