Indore breaks into joy as Janmashtami celebrated with gaiety

Indore broke into joyous mood as people celebrated Janmashtami with much fervour on Saturday.

Indore broke into joyous mood as people celebrated Janmashtami with much fervour on Saturday.

A child dressed as Lord Krishna while members of Yadav community took out a procession on Janmashtami in Indore on Saturday. (Arun Mondhe/HT photo)

All the Lord Krishna's temples in Indore wore a festive look as devotees thronged to pay obeisance to the deity and observed fast.
Religious processions were also taken out to mark the occasion. Janmashtami celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna falls on the eighth day of the krishan paksha (dark fortnight) of Bhadrapad month (August-September) of Hindu calendar.

At Rajwada, the thoroughfare leading to Gopal Mandir wore a decorative look. The temples in the lane were decked with flowers and ashok leaves. A steady stream of devotees visited Gopal Mandir and ISCON temple from early morning till late night.

The celebrations began at midnight on Saturday the time Lord Krishna was believed to have been born. Sacred hymns were chanted with offering of panchamrat (mix of milk, curd, honey, sugar and ghee) to the Lord. It was followed by aarati, naivedya, bhajans and Jhankis (tableaux) depicting the life of Lord Krishna.

A common feature of Janmashtami - 'Jhulanotsava' (Lord's image placed on crib) was held at Gopal Temple at Rajwada. Jhulas (swings) were hung in the courtyards of temples and houses in honour of the Lord.

The ritual of "dahi handi" was carried out with much fanfare in certain parts of city. Human pyramids was formed to break the handi (earthen pot) suspended from top.

As entire city dipped into the Lord Krishna worship, the festival was also the time for family get-together and shopping. Kiosks and shops selling a variety of snacks did a brisk business .At many places; sago khichadi was distributed to passersby as `prasad'.