The Hindu : National : Height of devotion at Janmashtami

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004

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National

Height of devotion at Janmashtami

— Photo: Vivek Bendre

A seven-layer human pyramid of a "Govinda" group reaches out to the earthen pot hanging by a line at a Janmashtami feat in Mumbai.

MUMBAI, SEPT. 7. Full-throated chants of Govinda ala re rent the air as bands of youth danced on the streets to the accompaniment of cymbals and drums, marking the festival of Gokulashtami in Maharashtra, as in many other parts of the country, today. The celebrations in Maharashtra were markedly upbeat.

Hymns praising the Lord filled Krishna temples as devotees lined up. At the temple of ISCKON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) in suburban Juhu, prayers and singing sessions were organised by the missionaries. Food was distributed to devotees.

In the bylanes of Mumbai and some other parts of the State the festival was particularly colourful, as dahi handis, or earthen pots filled with fruits and curds, hung above the streets. In the mid-afternoon sun, scores of youth, smeared with red `gulal', danced to the beat of the drums as hundreds lined up on balconies to watch the traditional dahi handi-breaking ceremony on street after street. The breaking of the dahi handi, hanging at a considerable height, was a challenge that many teams of youngsters undertook. They formed human pyramids to reach the pot and lay their hands on the prize kept in it. This ranges from Rs. 1,100 to Rs. 11 lakhs. The events attract specially trained teams. Teams compete with one another after months of training and practice to develop perfect synchronisation and coordination.

Miniature silver cradles, decorated with jasmines, carrying idols of Lord Krishna, were led in processions in various parts of the city.

In homes across the State, the traditional `Gopal kala' — a mixture of yoghurt, pounded rice and jaggery — was offered to Krishna.

The metro had people from various communities joining in the celebrations. They added their own ethnic touch to the festival. In the Matunga area, with a preponderance of South Indian families, devotees prepared murukku and chidai, sought-after festival delicacies.

Outside many homes were seen miniature footprints created in rice flour, symbolising the entry of Krishna into them.

In Nashik, thousands gathered on Monday night at the Murlidhar Mandir and celebrated Janmashtami. — PTI

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