Pomp and grandeur marked the Sri Krishna Leelotsava festival popularly called “Vittal Pindi” here on Monday.
The main attraction was the procession, which began from the entrance of the Sri Krishna Math/Temple at around 2.45 p.m. The clay idol of Lord Krishna was placed in a “ratha” or chariot decorated in a folk style and taken around the Car Street. But this time, the procession got extended to the Rajangana parking lot area. A large number of people participated in the procession.
Lakshmivara Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Shiroor Math and Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji of Admar Math, who were on the chariot, distributed fruits, caps and coins to the devotees. The devotees jostled with one another to catch these items. The breaking of the earthen pots filled with milk and buttermilk, and “ookuli water” was yet another highlight of the festival.
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Persons dressed as “Yadavas” broke these pots hung over various wooden stands or “gopuras”. Persons in guise of tigers known as “Huli Vesha” danced throughout the Car Street during the procession. The clay idol was later immersed in the Madhwa Sarovara pond.
Another attraction this time was the performance of a person in the guise of black leopard or “Kari Chirate”, who climbed a high-mast lamp pole at the Rajangana parking lot and performed some breathtaking stunts. He climbed the nearby Yatri Nivas building and performed stunts much to the cheering and applause of audience.
However, the competition to climb a 60-feet tall areca palm to catch hold of a bag of food and gift items tied at its top, ended on a jarring note. Four persons, who climbed made an attempt fell and were injured, when the tree gave away. Three of the injured were rushed to a hospital. This happened because seven persons tried to climb the slim tree at once. The tree had been installed near the Free Dispensary on Car Street.
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“Huli Vesha” dancers had begun giving their performances in almost all parts of the city since the morning.