Hundreds of people turned out to watch the procession of the Sri Krishna Leelotsava popularly known as the “Vittal Pindi” festival on the Car Street here on Thursday.
The Vittal Pindi procession began from the entrance of the Sri Krishna Math/Temple at 3 p.m. Vishwavallabha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Sode Vadiraja Math installed a clay idol (“utsava murthy”) of Lord Krishna on the top of the golden chariot. He also performed an “aarti” to the “utsava murthy”.
The idols of Lord Ananteshwara and Lord Chandramouleshwara placed in a wooden chariot called as “Pushpaka ratha” ahead of the golden chariot. Both these chariots were later pulled around the Car Street.
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Vishwavallabha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Sode Math and Vidyasagara Tirtha Swami of Krishnapur Math walked in the procession.
As many as 12 wooden “gopuras” were constructed around the Car Street. As soon as the procession reached a “gopura”, a person would climb to the top of the “gopura” and hang pots containing milk and milk products. A group of devotees dressed in folk costumes would stand below the gopura with long sticks and jostle with one another to break the earthen pots with sticks..
This process was repeated at all the 12 wooden “gopuras”. Whenever they broke the earthen pots, they would be applauded by the people around. Devotees watched this process with joy and excitement.
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The Vittal Pindi procession culminated at the entrance of the Sri Krishna Math. Then the clay idol of Lord Krishna was removed from the golden chariot and taken to the “Madhwa Sarovara” pond, where it was immersed.