Bhubaneswar: Religious fervour grips shrines of Lord Krishna and other temples across Odisha today as devotees celebrate Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna. Special arrangements have been made by temple authorities for the celebration of the special occasion in the midnight today.
People in large numbers thronged Ram Mandir and ISKCON Temple in Bhubaneswar to offer morning prayers on the auspicious day. The ISKCON authorities have made adequate preparations for the smooth darshan of the devotees.
“I am really delighted to be a part of the Janmashtami celebrations at the ISKCON temple. The decoration in the temple is beautiful and atmosphere is very spiritualistic,” said a devotee.
Special rituals are being performed at Puri Srimandir to mark the birthday of Lord Krishna. Since the birth of the Lord is secret ritual, the Jaya-Bijaya Dwara of the 12th century shrine will be shut down after Sandhya Dhupa and general darshan of Lord Jagannath and sibling deities will remain closed between 6 pm and 10 pm. To mark the occasion, Mahajan servitors dressed as Devaki and Basudev will perform the birth rituals of Lord Krishna.
Janmashtami celebrations were also held at Kshirochora Gopinath Temple in Balasore district.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda greeted the people on the occasion of auspicious day.