Devotees taking part in the Janmashtami celebrations organised by Hare Krishna Movement, at Alwardas Grounds in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Scenes from ‘Krishna Leela’ came alive at Khatu Shyam temple, in Old Town area. more-in The city was soaked in religious fervour as the Janmashtami was celebrated with pomp and gaiety on Sunday. Devotees made a beeline for temples and offered prayers to Lord Krishna. As the devotees entered the premises, volunteers came forward to put ‘namam’ on their foreheads. A few steps ahead and the chants of ‘Hari nama japa’ grew louder as the Japa Club members assist the priests to stay focussed on their chants. The aroma of freshly woven garlands invited the devotees inside the ground to take turns to gently move the deity of Laddu Gopal using a rope as a part of the Jhulan Seva. At Alwardas Grounds, devotees in huge numbers took part in the Krishnashtami celebrations organised by Hare Krishna Movement. Dressed in golden attire, the idol of Lord Krishna and Radha share the stage space with the deities of ‘Nitai Gauranga’ on one side and sari-clad Tulsi plant on the other. Melodious tunes of devotional music filled the air as devotees passed from one counter to the other before settling down for a while. Talking about the response which is growing with each passing year, president of Hare Krishna Movement, Nishkinchana Bhakta Dasa said that a number of young volunteers came forward this time to take responsibility of organising the events. With special abhishekam, kirtans and cultural programmes, the celebrations would continue on the grounds until Monday. Programmes lined-up At International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Sagarnagar, the four-day long festivities drew a number of devotees. Dressed in bright pink with golden-purple embellishment, the idols of Radha and Krishna appeared eye-pleasing. Bhajans and discourse on ‘Krishna Leela’ followed by cultural programmes formed a part of the celebrations on Sunday. The main puja at ISKCON would be held on Monday, with a host of devotional programmes that would start at 4:30 a.m. and conclude at the midnight with 108-lamp aarti. On Tuesday, ISKCON’s celebrations would include ‘darshan’, ‘arati’, ‘Srila Prabhupad Leelamritham’, ‘Nandotsavam’ and ‘abhishekam’. ‘Laddu-Gopal’ contest Visakha Prem Sagar is also celebrating Krishnashtami at Khatushyam temple, One Town Area, which was elaborately decked up for the occasion. Women took part in ‘Laddu-Gopal’ contest decking up the deity impressively with colourful attires, ornaments and fresh flower garlands. A portion of the premises was arranged as a garden wherein the idols of Krishna and Gopikas turn out to be a major attraction. The celebrations here ends on Monday with a line of devotional programmes.

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