Kids wait for their turn to perform at a ‘Krishna’ contest in Berhampur. Picture by Gopal Krishna Reddy

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 28: Baby Krishna idols were decked up with flowers and his swings decorated with glittering accessories by devotees to celebrate Janmashtami, the birthday of the deity, today.

The festivities were not limited to temples as many organised dahi handi or breaking of the curd pot as well as cultural programmes dedicated to Krishna.

In Bhubaneswar, devotees thronged the Iskcon temple as well as the Ram Mandir to offer prayers to the flower adorned baby Krishna. There were recitations of Bhagabat, Geeta Govinda and other religious texts at various temples throughout the city. Bhajan sandhya or evening of devotional music was hosted at a few places too.

“Every year during Janmashtami, a pandal is built and an idol of Krishna is installed at Shastri Nagar square. It is not common to host such an event on this occasion in the state but we are very glad to take part in the celebrations,” said Amitesh Sahoo, a college student.

Cuttack, too, had its share of celebrations and hosted dahi handi where revellers climbed on top of each other and broke pots full of curd.

In Rourkela, residents collected idols and swings for hosting the festival at their home.

In Puri, many devotional music processions or kirtans for the deity were seen at the various monasteries. Other festivities were scheduled for late night since it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at midnight.

At the Puri temple, Lord Madan Mohan, the representative deity of Lord Jagannath, along with other idols of ‘Balakrishna’ or the baby Krishna are placed in the cradle and an array of songs composed in chhanda and champu patterns of Odissi music are sung in praise of the deity.

Following the birthday of the deity, a traditional festival will begin in Puri. Local people will dress up as various mythological characters and enact the tale of Krishna’s birth for about two weeks.

“The enactments begin with the birth of Lord Krishna and one episode is performed each day by the community of one bylane in the city. The episode of killing of Kansa will end this folk theatre known as Krishna Leela,” said district culture officer Prafulla Samantaray.