Mangalore : Over 2000 children clad in Shri Krishna costumes participated in the annual national-level Shri Krishna Vesha competition organized by Kalkura Prathishtana held at Kadri Shree Manjunatha Temple on August 17.

Laxminarayana Asranna priest of Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple inaugurated the event and said that he was happy to see many kids dressed in Krishna costumes, even when the whole world is competing with each other to look modern.

Speaking on the occasion, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said that, such kind of competition for the little ones will enhance cultural and religious awareness among the general public.

The competitions were held in 8 platforms in Kadri Shri Manjunath temple premises including Abhishek Hall in the two floors- Manjushree, Ashwattha Katte, Kadri Kere, Shri Krishna Janmashtami Samiti main stage, Kalyana Mantapa and Ganapati temple from 12 in the noon to 12 at midnight in 24 categories comprising of Kanda Krishna for kids below the age of one, Muddu Krishna for children below the age of two (mothers can accompany children on stage), Thunta Krishna for children in the age group of 2 – 3, Bala Krishna for nursery and LKG kids, Kishora Krishna for UKG and Std. I kids, Shri Krishna for kids from Std. II, Std. III, and Std. IV, Geetha Krishna for children upto Std. VII (create Geethopadesha situation with costumes), Yaksha Krishna for children till Std. X (required to wear Yakshagana costumes), Radha Krishna and Yashoda Krishna for women and children up to 12 years of age, Shankanada with traditional costumes in two categories for kids up to Std. VII, Shankha Udgosha for children above Std. VII and open for with traditional costume, Devaki Krishna for kids with mothers, Vasudeva Krishna for kids with father or mother. Nanda Gokula has been organized for a group of 5 people of any age group to present an episode from the life of Lord Krishna. Bala Krishna quiz competition for students up to Std VII and Shri Krishna Quiz will be held for children above Std. VII, which do not need traditional costume. Apart from it a special category has been introduced titled ‘Krishna Photography’ which requires participants to attend with costume of Krishna with attractive pose at the stage in Temple premises. Six special categories were held in Sri Krishna Varna Vaibhava drawing competition for all.

Each participating child had received a panchaloha idol of Kadegolu Krishna, Bhagavadgita, a certificate, a picture of Lord Manjunatha, and an attractive cloth bag each. The children were also served hot milk, peda, and ice cream.

Ratnakar Jain, Dayananda Kateel, Navneeth Shetty, Janardhan Hande, M. Prabhakar Joshi, Leela Udpadyay and Vijayalakshmi Shetty others were present.