Janmashtami Celebrated at Mangala Temple and Various Places
Kakatpur, 06/09 – On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the birth festival of Lord Krishna was celebrated at the revered Maa Mangala Temple in Kakatpur. Following the rituals of Maa Mangala, the temple’s servitors and priests conducted special ceremonies to mark the celebration.
As part of the tradition, during the re-enactment of the divine episode, a servitor, acting as King Nanda, asked the deity—represented by a symbolic idol of Lord Krishna placed on a special ashta dhatu (eight-metal) platter—”Who are you, roaming outside so late at night like a demon?” As per ancient lore, Lord Krishna revealed his divine form in response. Thereafter, King Nanda is believed to have bowed down in reverence before crossing the Yamuna River with the divine child.
In alignment with this mythology, a symbolic Yamuna River was created near the temple’s northern gate. Devotees immersed the feet of the ashta dhatu idol into the water and collected the sacred water as blessings. Afterward, the temple priests performed worship rituals, and devotees who had observed fasting (Osha) completed their vows by partaking in Rasi Ladoo (a traditional sweet).
All necessary arrangements for rituals and crowd management were made by the temple authorities. In a similar spirit, at Baghmunda village under Kakatpur police limits, Janmashtami was celebrated with devotion, marking the day Lord Krishna is believed to have appeared on Earth.
As in previous years, this year too, the Utkal Gopal Samaj of Baghmunda organized the festival with grandeur. Young children dressed up as Lord Krishna—wearing his traditional attire, crown, garlands, and peacock feather—and as Radha, carrying clay pots and holding flutes, beautifully enacted scenes from Krishna’s life. Their performances and dances during the village procession created an atmosphere reminiscent of Vrindavan.
The event saw enthusiastic participation and coordination by Utkal Gopal Samaj members including Secretary Pramod Kumar Behera, Sunakar Behera, Basudev Behera, Sapani Behera, Sudarshan Parida, Nishikanta Behera, and Atul Behera. Intellectuals from the region attended and appreciated the celebration while praising the efforts of the organizers.
