Thousands of devotees witness Vittal Pindi events

UDUPI: Thousands of devotees from various places witnessed Sri Krishna Leelotsava which is popularly known as ‘Vittal Pindi’, on Saturday. Different troupes performed their best artistic forms at Car Street and entertained the visitors. Tiger dance competitions were organised at many places in the city.
A Shobha Yatra was taken out with the idol of Sri Krishna made of clay, which was brought from the Sri Krishna Temple and placed in the golden chariot at 3 pm, and then the chariot was taken out in procession on Car Street. Devotees sang and danced on the occasion. Vidhyadeesha theertha swamiji of Palimaru Mutt and his junior Sri Vidyarajeshwara theertha swamiji, distributed sweets on the occasion. Srividya Sagara theertha swamiji of Krishnapur Mutt and the Kaniyooru seer also participated in the procession. The seers threw chakkulis at the devotees, who jostled to catch them.
Before the chariot could move forward, a group of devotees dressed in folk costumes vied with one another and tried to break the earthen pots containing milk, turmeric and curd, which were hung up from 13 specially-constructed wooden ‘gopuras,’ with long sticks in their hands. After the Vittal Pindi procession culminated at the entrance of the temple, the clay idol was taken from it and taken to Madhwa Sarovara pond, where it was immersed.
The absence of Sri Lakshmivara Theertha Sripada of Shiroor Mutt was felt by hundreds of devotees. In his memory, some of them distributed laddus and chakulis.
The Paryaya Palimaru mutt and Sri Kanaka Samkruthi Vedhike together organised ‘Ala Re Govinda’ events at various parts of the city. Youths formed a big pyramid and broke earthen pots which were strung from a height, which enthralled people.