Visakhapatnam: The Janmashtami festival is being celebrated with great enthusiasm, with each surpassing the previous years. However, its traditional highlight, the Utlotsavam, which involves breaking a butter pot suspended 30 feet high, is witnessing a gradual decline. Once a vibrant community event in which children used to participate with great enthusiasm, this tradition is now fading, with fewer communities continuing to hold the event, often relegated to cinematic portrayals rather than real-life celebrations.
On Monday, the port city celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami with a festive atmosphere, only at a few places by fewer communities. Temples like ISKCON in Sagar Nagar hosted Mangala Aarti and Akhanda Harinama Sankeerathana, allowing devotees to anoint Lord Krishna using water from holy rivers and panchamrita during the abhishekam ceremony. Schools participated by organizing competitions for children leading up to the festival, highlighting the cultural significance of the event.
The Hare Krishna Movement held celebrations for Janmashtami 2024 at Gadiraju Palace and Gambheeram, featuring performances like Bhaja Govindam with 108 musicians, bhajans by senior devotees, and discussions on ‘Krishna Leela’. The Utlotsav, which was scheduled for 4 pm, saw youngsters forming human pyramids to break the butter pot, alongside fancy dress and dance competitions for school children.
Minister for housing Kolusu Parthasaradhi participated in the birthday celebrations of Lord Krishna at the Sannidhaman temple in Agirapalli village, Agirapalli Mandal, Nujiveedu Constituency. During the event, he offered a special pooja to Lord Krishna and emphasised the significance of reviving traditional gatherings like kolatalu and karrasamu to foster unity and happiness among villagers. He noted that such practices would strengthen family ties and contribute to a healthier society.
In the Kurnool and Nandyal districts, Janmashtami celebrations were marked by traditional festivities, including the pot-breaking event near the Sri Krishna Temple. Notable community leaders participated in the celebrations, which included special ceremonies for Lord Krishna and Rukmini Devi. The atmosphere was further enhanced by traditional gopuja rituals conducted in Srisailam.
Tirupati celebrated Krishna Janmashtami with great enthusiasm, drawing thousands of devotees to temples across the city. The ISKCON Hare Krishna Lotus Temple was the main attraction, with over 100,000 devotees attending the festival. The temple and surrounding area were filled with devotional songs, creating a spiritually-filled atmosphere. The temple was beautifully decorated and celebrations featured special bhajans and the 'Utlotsavam' ceremony, where young men reenacted Lord Krishna's childhood by attempting to catch a hanging pot while others disrupted them with water. Cultural programs and annadanam (meal distribution) further enhanced the festivities. The police managed traffic effectively and Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu visited the ISKCON temple to offer prayers.
