Janmashtmi celebrated in shadow of swine flu outbreak

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) Chanting 'Hare Krishna',
devotees thronged decked-up temples and set up tableaus as
'Janmashtmi'- the birth of their much-loved deity Krishna- was
celebrated Friday in the shadow of swine flu outbreak, with
festivities remaining low-key in worst-affected Maharashtra.

With authorities advising people against gathering in
crowded places to prevent the spread of flu, the traditional
Dahi Handi celebrations, a key part of the festival in the
western state, lost much of their sheen, especially as major
political parties like Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress
Party (NCP) pulled out.

Though people did turn out, but in much lesser numbers
and the usual pomp and grandeur was missing from most of the
450 events. As a precautionary measure, most of the mandals
did distribute safety masks to the youths who form a pyramid
to reach upto an earthen port (Dahi Handi) filled with curd
and butter, to claim a prize money.

In Pune, which recorded 15 swine flu deaths, nearly 25
mandals (organisers) cancelled their programmes.

However, in other parts of the country, people,
including boys and girls dressed up as Radha and Krishna,
offered prayers at the temples, which displayed colourful
tableaus and staged dance dramas or 'Raas Lilas' depicting the
life of Lord Krishna.

Tight security arrangements were in place with
authorities apprehending terrorist attacks, especially in view
of Independence Day celebrations tomorrow.

Chants of 'Jai Jai Shri Radhey' rent the air as
several lakh pilgrims watched the 'Abhishek' (bathing
ceremony) of principal deity at Radha Raman, Radha Ballabh,
Radha Gokulanand and Shah Ji temples temples in Vrindaban,
where Krishna spent his childhood, and queued up for 'prasad'.

In Mathura, there was a huge rush of devotees at Keshav
Dev, Bhagwat Bhavan and Dwarkadheesh temples. PTI TEAM
DDC
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