Janmashtami celebrated with traditional fervour in Mathura

At least 16 lakh devotees on Thursday paid obeisance at different temples in Brijbhumi on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami amid tight security.

"Lakh of pilgrims paid obeisance in cluster of temples and then enjoyed religious function at Lela Munch in Vrindavan. The congregation of pilgrims during day time was in three temples where Janmashtami was celebrated this forenoon," SSP Babloo Kumar said, claiming no untowards incident has taken place. ADM Ravindra Kumar said at least 16 lakh devotees visited different temples in the birthplace of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami was celebrated in three temple during the day time against the practice of celebrating it at midnight. The bathing ceremony of the principal deity was performed in Radha Raman temple with 27 mounds of milk, curd, ghee, honey, khandsari and herbal drugs. "Traditionally it is the birthday of Krishna. As a child is put to inconvenience if his birthday is celebrated by waking him up, in the same way late Gopal Bhatt Goswami introduced celebration of Janmashtami in the temple during day," Acharya Dinesh Chand Goswami said.

The deity was adorned in colourful dress, jewels and pearls and after the bathing ceremony, 'Prasadam' was distributed among the devotees.. In Radha Damodar temple, the atmosphere resembled Holi as devotees played with mixture of curd and turmeric. "We drench each other with a mixture of curd and turmeric since Krishna was born today. The same mixture is also sprayed on the devotees present in the temple," Acharya Kanika Prasad Goswami said.

Similar program was also held in Shah Ji temple where Janmashtami was celebrated during the day. Meanwhile, according to Narayan Tewari, a social worker, preparations are in full swing in Gokul town where Janmashtami would be celebrated tomorrow in the form of 'Dadhikana' or 'Nandotsava'.