Udaipur, 26 August (HS). Shri Krishna Janmashtami Mela Mahotsav was celebrated with great pomp and show at Pratap Gaurav Kendra Rashtriya Teerth on Monday. There was a rush of visitors at Bhaktidham from morning to evening. In the afternoon, the decorated Radha-Kanha charmed everyone, while in the evening, the entire campus echoed with the chants of Hathi-Ghoda-Palki, Jai Kanha Lal Ki during the Dahi-Handi competition.
Dr. Rahul Jain, the convener of Janmashtami Mela Mahotsav, said that the events of the 5251st Janmashtami began in the morning in the presence of Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Samiti's president Prof. BP Sharma and other committee members. Panchamrit Abhishek took place in Bhaktidham located in Gaurav Kendra premises from 6 am to 9 am. Puja was performed as per Purush Sukta method in the presence of Bhaktidham's priest Laxman.
Anurag Saxena, Director of Pratap Gaurav Center, said that Radha-Krishna and Kanha-Yashoda costume competitions were held from 12 noon. Children aged 6 to 10 years participated in the Radha-Krishna competition in which Vedang son Gaurav, Shaysa daughter Kiran and Nihira daughter Gaurav Pathak came first, second and third respectively. Similarly, Lucky Trivedi, Surya Lakhara and Divya Sharma came first, second and third respectively in the Kanha-Yashoda competition. Dr. Pratap Singh Jhala, Dr. Ritu Bhatnagar, Dr. Anil Mehta played the role of judges in these competitions.
After this, the dahi-handi competition started at around 5 pm amidst heavy rain. The enthusiasm of the Govindas was at its peak even in the pouring rain. No one was able to touch the 30 feet high pot in the first round. In the second round, the pot was lowered two feet down. In this round, the Annapurna team of Bedla touched the pot. After this, in the third round, the pot was lowered 1 feet further and this time when their turn came, the team of Gadiya Deora broke the pot. Chief guest SP Umesh Ojha gave the prize to the winning team. A total of 6 teams participated in the competition, which also included the teams of Jagdish Chowk Junior, Mahakal Sena, Om Sai Ram and Sunrise.
Co-convenor Purushottam Shakadwipiya said that from 6 pm to 12 midnight, tableaus of Shri Krishna Leelamrit were decorated in the premises. Co-convenor Shambhunath said that this time a huge bhajan evening was organized from 8 pm. In this, Shoorveer Kotra, Kailash Dangi, Suresh Gehlot, Arvind Sen, Bhoomik Suthar, Mukesh Paliwal gave melodious presentations of devotional songs. During Shri Krishna Janmotsav, Mahaarati was held at 12 midnight.