Week-long Janmashtami begins in Udupi from Thursday

 

Udupi, 10 Sep 2014: It’s time for the little ones to dress up like Krishna and gear up to witness the Vitlapindi in Udupi.

 

The temple town is decked out for week-long Krishna Janmashtami festivities starting on Thursday. The Janmashtami is set to be celebrated on a grand scale on Tuesday and Vitlapindi on Wednesday (Sept 17).

 

 

The festivities culminate in Vitlapindi, a signature event in which a human pyramid is formed and a chosen boy or girl clambers up to break a pot of curds to the cries of ’Govinda ala re’ from thousands of devotees.

 

Udupi Kaniyoor Mutt’s pontiff Vidyavallabha Teertha said the inauguration of cultural programmes will be held at Rajangana Hall at 5.30pm on September 11.

 

Cultural events include dance performances and musical concerts. Students of Moodabidri’s Alva’s College will present a folk dance programme at Rajangana Hall at 5.30pm on September 18.

 

Krishnashtami will be celebrated on September 16, and day-long fasting is observed till the ceremonial arrival of Lord Krishna. The mutt will be decorated especially for Krishnashtami and Vitlapindi on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

In a first, some 250 woman members of a Mumbai mandali will perform dahi handi around 10am on Wednesday.

 

The Mumbai team will repeat the show in other parts of the city later in the day.