Bhubaneswar, Aug. 7: The weeklong festival of jhulan yatra has begun and the mutts in Puri have gorgeously decorated idols of Lord Krishna and Radha with stunning backdrops.

Jhulan yatra celebrates the mythological romance of Krishna and his muse, where the divine couple, according to ancient poetry, would pass their time sitting on swings.

From flowers to ornaments, the swings are decorated with various attractive elements.

A throne like seat is crafted for the divine duo, where their idols are placed.

The idols, too, are dressed up in intricately designed clothes and accessories such as garlands, flute, anklets, crowns and so on.

Almost all major monasteries in the pilgrim city are celebrating the occasion. From Bada Odia Mutt, Goura Bihar Mutt, Jagannath Ballav Mutt to Gopinath Jew Mutt, the zeal of hosting this unique festival is evident in the ornate set ups each have installed for the occasion.

While some have mounted a huge backdrop with detailing of the Brindaban scenes such as forests and cattle, birds and devotees gathered around the idols, others have mounted silver or gold foil swings and chariots.

Artists of the city have been involved to craft, zari and sola decorations.

Almost every monastery can be seen decorating their jhulan set with a wide variety of toys and sculptures of wood and clay such as dancing damsels, birds and mythological characters.

Some devotees also organise puja at home.

“Just like monasteries or mutts, we too observe the festival with great enthusiasm. It gives us immense pleasure to collect items to decorate the swings and idols and the entire set up. It is a lovely festival and we love holding it at home,” said well-known Jagannath culture expert Surya Narayan Rathasharma.

At the Jagannath temple, the representative deities of Lord Jagannath and Lord Madanmohan is worshipped on swings during the festival.

The deities are seated on a beautifully decorated swing and an idol of Goddess Subarna Lakshmi, who represents Radha, is placed on the same wooden swing at the mukti or jhulan mandap.

(From top) Bedecked swings of Radha and Krishna at Haridas Mutt, Odia Mutt and Shyama Kunja Mutt on the occasion of jhulan yatra in Puri. Pictures by Sarat Patra