Udupi : The stage is set for Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Sri Krishna Leelotsava (popularly known as ‘Vittal Pindi’) celebrations here on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

The Sri Krishna Mutt will be the centre of attraction during both festivals.The exponent of Dwaita philosophy Sri Madhwacharya installed the idol of Lord Krishna at the Sri Krishna Mutt here about 800 years ago.

The temple will be decorated with flowers for both festivals. A major attraction of Janmashtami will be the ‘Muddu Krishna’ competition, where children dress like Lord Balakrishna. It will be at Rajangana Parking Space and Anna Brahma Hall from 10 a.m. onwards.

According to Raghuram Acharya, Dewan of Pejawar Mutt, the event will be held in three sections: zero to three years – Muddu Krishna competition, three to five years – Balakrishna competition; and five to eight years – Kishore Krishna competition.

About 1.5 lakh ‘chakkulis’ and about 75,000 ‘laddoos’ each of four varieties – Aralu, Gundittu, Yellu and Kadle – have been prepared at the temple to be distributed to the devotees.

Both Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt, and Vishwaprasanna Tirtha, junior seer, will participate in the ‘arghya pradhana’ ritual at 12.34 a.m. on Thursday.

The major attraction at Vittal Pindi will be the carrying of the clay idol of Lord Krishna in the golden chariot on Car Street at 3.30 p.m.

As many as 16 wooden ‘gopuras’ have been erected along Car Street, below which the chariot will pass. Earthen pots containing milk and milk products will be hung from these gopuras. People dressed in folk costumes will try to break the pots with sticks. This is known as ‘mosaru kudike.’

‘Huli Vesha’ dancers will add colour to the event. After the golden chariot goes around Car Street and reaches the Sri Krishna Mutt, the clay idol will be removed and immersed in the Madhwa Sarovara pond at the temple.

A competition of ‘huli vesha’ dancers and other folk teams will be held at Rajangana at 5 p.m. A large number of devotees will have meals during the ‘Anna Santharpane’ on Thursday.