Mysuru: The city kept its date with Sri Krishna Janmashtami on Monday, with many organizations celebrating the festival in Krishna paksha of Bhadrapada month in Rohini Nakshtra.The district administration, the department of Kannada and culture, and Sri Krishna Jayantostsava Samiti jointly celebrated the festival at Kalamandir.According to Hindu mythology, Sri Krishna is the eight of the Dhashavataras (10 incarnations of Vishnu).Speaking on the occasion, retired English professor C Naganna said that Krishna was born to punish the evil and protect the good on earth. "Krishna is praised in the Mahabharata, while saints have kept Krishna alive in their poems. Many plays have been enacted on the stories of Krishna," said Naganna, who is also a member of Kannada Sahitya Parishat.As a part of the celebrations, a fancy dress event was held for boys and girls, who dressed themselves as Sri Krishna and Radha, respectively.MLA M K Somashekar, chairman of Mysuru Paints and Varnish Ltd, H K Venkatesh, Muda chairman Dhruvakumar, and deputy mayor Ratna Lakshman were present.Special puja at Iskcon todayInternational Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) Temple in Jayanagar held special darshan for devotees on Monday.Special pujas have been lined up on Tuesday. The celebrations will begin at 4.15am, and continue until midnight. Krishna-Balarama, the presiding deities of the temple, will be specially decorated for the occasion, and devotees have their darshan throughout the day. The highlight is the elaborate Maha Abhisheka to Krishna-Balarama, which begins at 10pm and culminates with Maha Mangala Arati and Sankirtan at 12 midnight, coinciding with the time of Krishna's birth.As part of the celebrations, senior artistes like A D Srinivasan, Rajesh Padiyar, and Nitin Rajaram Shastry will render Sangeethotsav seva. A special dance drama 'Dwaraka Krishna Lilamurtham', based on Srimad Bhagavatham, will be staged by artistes of the city0based Chaari Group.

Stay updated with all the Latest Mysore headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.