Udupi : The ‘Sri Krishna Leelotsava’ popularly known as “Vittlapindi” or “Mosarukudike Habba” was celebrated with pomp and gaiety, as thousands of devotees thronged the Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi to catch a glimpse of Lord Krishna.

The two-day celebrations concluded with the immersion of clay idol of Lord Krishna, in the Madhwa Sarowar by Paryaya Kaniyur Mutt seer Vidyavallabhatheertha Swami after taking it in a magnificent procession around the Car Street in golden chariot.

The celebrations marked the cultural extravaganza including the well-known tiger dance troupes performing on the Car Street and all over the city. The performers had no age barrier, as the youngest performer in the troupe was less than three years old.

The cynosure of all eyes, the tableaux showcased on the occasion, depicted the spiritual saga of the temple, besides the mimicry artistes entertained the crowd. The occasion also marked the breaking of pots filled with milk and saffron, which signified the childhood plays of Lord Sri Krishna. The ritual was held in front of the clay idol of the Lord during the procession. The ritual was performed with around 12 to 15 pots filled with curd, milk, saffron water, which were tied one after the other to the poles erected for the purpose.

This was broken by the men dressed as shepherds using huge bamboo sticks.

The entire city was bestowed with festive environment and the Car Street was specially decorated with flowers. Seers of Shiroor, Krishnapur and Kaniyur mutts took part in the celebrations. The temple was specially decorated with the sanctum sanctorum being adorned with flowers and tulasi petals. The entire Car Street was flooded with people.

The presiding deity Lord Krishna was specially decorated with “Vajrakavacha Alankar” (Diamond armour). The Paryaya Kaniyur Mutt seer offered “Mahamangalarathi” to the clay idol of Lord in the chariot. The seers of Shiroor and Krishnapura mutts too offered “Mahamangalarathi” to the Lord.

The ritual was followed by throwing of coconuts, fruits and eatables towards the devotees. Eatables like laddus and chakkulis were given to the devotees as “Prasadam.” As many as 1.75 lakh laddus and 1.25 lakh chakkulis were distributed among the devotees on the occasion. Several folk and fancy troupes showcased their talent. Apart from this an exhibition of various cultural artifacts was organised.

Similarly, Mosarukudike was observed at Attavara, Kadri and Thokkottu in Mangaluru in the evening. Mosaru Kudike and ‘Huli Vesha’ along with tableaux enthralled the visitors. Pots dangling from specially erected poles on the road was a cynosure of thousands of people. Traffic was affected at Attavar, Thokkottu and Kadri where men formed human pyramids to reach and break these pots.

Many gathered in Thokkottu, on the outskirts of the city, to watch the procession organised by Shri Jaya Veera Maruti Vyayama School.