Janmashtami celebrated at Iskcon temple in Odisha capital

Reported by Santosh Jagedev

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18:

Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Shree Krishna, was observed with much fervour by the ISKCON Temple in Odisha’s capital on Sunday.

Thousands of devotees observed the occasion by fasting till midnight.  The celebrations will continue till Tuesday.

According to the temple secretary Krushna Gati Dash, a host of programs like Gurupuja, Mangalalati, Darshan and Sandhya Arati, have been scheduled over the next three days. There would be Bhajan and Kirtan on all three days, he said.

Competitions such as song, quiz, fancy dress (Krishna Besha) and drawing were held among school children.

More than 4000 devotees thronged to take prasad and offer prayer on the holy occasion. Cultural programmes were held in the evening, followed by Prabachan on Lord Krishna.

Besides, Abhishek of Lord Krishna was performed around midnight, followed by Maha Arati and Prasad distribution.

In the next two day,s Nanda Utsav festival and holy appearance of Srila Prabhupada will be observed.

Special arrangements were also made by the twin city commissionerate police to ease traffic congestion at the CRPF square by diverting the commuters through alternate routes.