Bengaluru, Sep 4 — Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations at ISKCON Bengaluru temples drew lakhs of devotees as the city witnessed two days of religious festivities marked by devotional programmes, special pujas and cultural performances on September 3 and 4, the official statement said on Friday.
The celebrations were held at four locations across Bengaluru, with devotees from different parts of the country visiting the temples to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Krishna.
The ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Mandir at Hare Krishna Hill and the ISKCON Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple at Vaikuntha Hill were decorated with flowers and festoons for the occasion.
The presiding deities were adorned with new garments, ornaments and flower garlands.
The festivities featured a range of traditional rituals and devotional services, including abhishekas, aratis, Chappan Bhog, Makhan Misri Seva, Pushpanjali Seva, Pallaki Utsava and Jhulan Seva.
An elaborate midnight abhisheka was also performed on Friday to mark the divine appearance of Sri Krishna.
Other programmes included Gau Puja, Koti Japa Yagna, Gita Parayana, devotional music and dance performances, and shloka recitations by children.
An online Krishna Costume Contest also saw parents dress their children as Radha and Lord Krishna.
Devotees and visitors were served prasadam at all the venues during the celebrations.
Several prominent personalities, including Karnataka Ministers Puttaranga Shetty and H.C. Balakrishna, Lok Sabha members and Ministers of State Shobha Karandlaje and C.N. Manjunath, former Indian fast bowler and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) President Venkatesh Prasad, former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan, former Minister and BJP MLA K. Gopalaiah, former Supreme Court judge N. Santosh Hegde and actor and Rajya Sabha member Jaggesh, visited the temples and offered prayers.
At Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation (KTPO) Whitefield, the celebrations included a special offering titled "From Your Kitchen to Krishna with Love", under which 5,253 food items were offered as naivedya, commemorating the 5,253rd appearance of Lord Krishna.
A Krishna Jamfest, featuring bhajan jamming by youth bands, was organised as part of the celebrations to engage younger audiences.
International multi-award-winning artist Abby V also performed a devotional concert.
The festivities at KTPO will continue on September 5.
ISKCON Bangalore also organised "Swagatam Krishna", a digital Janmashtami celebration, which was livestreamed for devotees across the world.
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore, said the organisation was happy to welcome lakhs of devotees during the celebrations.
"It is wonderful to see that the Janmashtami festivities have gradually become an integral part of every home and family in the city," he said, while thanking donors, well-wishers, volunteers, administration and others involved in managing the crowds and facilitating the celebrations.
He also prayed for the blessings of Sri Radha Krishnachandra upon humanity.