Janmashtami, marking the birthday of Lord Krishna, was celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm in the national capital on Thursday with devotees going to temples, which were gaily decorated on the occasion.
The festivities began early in the Iskcon temple at East of Kailash in south Delhi, with an estimated two lakh people visiting it by the evening.
"Festivities at Iskcon began before dawn and extended all day. Events include kirtan where we sing the Lord's name along with other devotees. People were seen singing and dancing with great enthusiasm to celebrate the birth of the most adorable lord," Suryanshi Pandey from Iskcon Delhi told IANS.
"One very special thing about the day is that today the celestial system has exactly the same orientation of planets as it was when Lord Krishna was born," she said.
"This time, we have used wool instead of flowers for the decoration of pandals and the premises of the temple. For Prasada, we have a variety of 1,008 foods. The varieties vary from north Indian to south Indian. It has the flavour of every state," she added.
The devotees bathed the idols of Krishna with auspicious liquids in ablution ceremony called Abhishekam and dressed them in beautiful garments.
"Dresses of deities have specially been designed at Iskcon Vrindavan. Two lakh devotees have already arrived. The aura of the temple has the essence of Krishna," Pandey said.
"We are expecting 5-6 lakh people at midnight to see the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and coloured altar. Devotees come here to show their love for God," she explained.
People also observed fast to offer their prayers to Lord Krishna.
The temples burnt incense, scriptures were read during the morning prayers. Both young and elderly were excited about the celebrations.
"Krishna is the most adorable and mischievous of all Hindu deities," said a resident of Vasundhara Enclave, adding: "Little kids in our locality dressed as Krishna and Radha. People collected funds to decorate the temple and to organise the festivities."
The temples had made arrangements for "prasada" for the late evening congregations when people come to offer prayers in larger numbers.
--IANS
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