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Udupi : Krishna Leelotsava, popular Vitla Pindi celebrated

By Editor

Posted on September 16, 2025

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Udupi : Krishna Leelotsava, popular Vitla Pindi celebrated

Udupi : Thousands of devotees thronged Car Street, the abode of Lord Sri Krishna, turning it into a sea of devotion and festivity to celebrate Krishna Leelotsava, popularly called Vitla Pindi, in the temple town of Udupi on Monday. Vitla Pindi is celebrated a day after Sri Krishna Janmashtami by the Ashta Mutts of Udupi.

From left, Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt Junior Seer Sri Sushreendra Tirtha Swamiji, Admar Mutt Senior Seer Sri Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji and Puthige Mutt Senior Seer Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji hold tiger cubs (child tiger dance artists) on their laps during the Vitla Pindi celebrations on Car Street in the vicinity of Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi on Monday.

Devotees enthusiastically lined up in queues in front of Sri Krishna Mutt to have the darshan of the Lord, even as the clear skies cheered them up. The festive mood only grew as Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt seers Sugunendra Tirtha Swami and his junior, Sushreendra Tirtha Swami, initiated the Annadana programme at the Mutt complex at noon, serving prasada to devotees after the ‘Palla Pooje’ ritual.

Devotees pull the golden chariot adorned by the earthen idol of Lord Krishna at an event organised by Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt in the vicinity of Sri Krishna Mutt on Car Street to mark Vitla Pindi celebrations in Udupi on Monday.

Devotees pull the golden chariot adorned by the earthen idol of Lord Krishna at an event organised by Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt in the vicinity of Sri Krishna Mutt on Car Street to mark Vitla Pindi celebrations in Udupi on Monday. |

Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt Seer Sugunendra Tirtha Swami and his junior Sushreendra Tirtha Swami immerse the earthen idol of Lord Krishna after Krishna Leelotsava (Vitla Pindi) celebrations near Car Street in Sri Krishna Mutt’s Madhwa Sarovara in Udupi on Monday

The earthen idol of Lord Sri Krishna was placed in the golden chariot as per tradition in the afternoon. With devotional fervour, devotees pulled the chariot around the Car Street. Adding colours to the celebrations, performers dressed as Gopalakas climbed wooden scaffoldings along the route and broke Mosaru Kudike (curd pots), while Huli Vesha (tiger dance) troupes danced to the beats of Taase drums, cheering the crowds. The decorated Krishna idol on the chariot remained the main attraction, drawing devotees who cheered, sang bhajans, and captured the moments on their mobile phones.

A devotee breaks the Mosaru Kudike during the Vitla Pindi celebrations organised by Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt on Car Street in the vicinity of Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi on Monday.

The seers distributed laddus and chakkulis as prasadam to devotees gathered in large numbers. After completing the circuit of Car Street, the chariot returned to Sri Krishna Mutt, where Sri Sugunendra performed the ritual immersion of the clay idol in the Madhwa Sarovara.

A youth performs Mallkambh on the occasion of Krishna Leelotsava (Vitla Pindi) celebrations organised by Paryaya Udupi Puthige Mutt on Car Street in the vicinity of Sri Krishna Mutt on Monday, September 15, in Udupi.

The Mutt complex was adorned with floral decoration and lights, with devotees joyfully taking selfies in front of the decorated Mutt premises. Police, led by Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, ensured adequate security. Students, women and children were more in numbers enjoying the festival vibes.