By IANS,
Lucknow : Colourful decorations, special prayers and cultural programmes at brightly adorned temples in various parts of this Uttar Pradesh state capital Monday marked the Janmashtami celebrations.
With priests at the temples reciting Sanskrit verses and text of Bhagavad Gita, people chanting devotional songs thronged the temples in various localities on Janmashtami — celebrated to mark birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most loved Hindu deities.
Heavy rush was particularly witnessed at Satya temple and Radha Krishna temple in Indira Nagar, Gulacheen temple in Vikas Nagar and Banke Bihari temple in Gomti Nagar.
“Devotees have been lining up in front of the temple from 5 a.m. It is believed that fasting with a sincere heart on Janmashtami fulfils wishes,” Dwarika Sharma, a priest at Gulacheen temple, told IANS.
“While devotees observe ritualistic fasts on the occasion, the more fervent devotees observe a Nirjal vrat (waterless fast) that is broken at midnight after offering prayers to hail Lord Krishna’s birth,” he added.
Idols of Lord Krishna at temples are decorated with flowers and electronic lights, and also those at the houses, were bathed and offered new clothes.
The main highlight of Janmashtami are ‘Jhankis’ (tableaux) that depict different stages of Lord Krishna’s life.