Elaborate arrangements in Mathura ahead of Janmashtami festival

MATHURA: Ahead of the Janmashtami festival, which marks the birthday of Lord Krishna, elaborate arrangements are being made in the city for hassle free darshan of the principal deity at Sri Krishna Janmasthan.

"While CCTV screens would be installed at different points of Sri Krishna Janmasthan, darshan for every pilgrim at Bhagwat Bhavan has also been ensured. Six cloak rooms are being set up for keeping the luggage of the pilgrims at different locations around the Sri Krishna Janmasthan.

"Establishment of lost and found centre and drinking water facility are also being made," Kapil Sharma, Secretary of Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan said while talking to reporters here today.

The abode of Thakur Ji (sanctum sanctorum) at Bhagwat Bhavan is being artistically shaped as ancient 'Pushpa Ghant Bangla' (bell shaped) with the help of thousands of lotus and other variety of flowers, clothes and different coloured zaris, he said.

The principal deity would wear 'Chandraki' dress, a model of combination of multiple coloured borders, variety of pearls and silk cloth.

In the morning, a special program would be organised at Sri Krishna Janmasthan depicting the sports that Lord Krishna played.

The entire area is being decorated with multi-coloured electric light.

"Arrangements, this year, have been made to ensure that every pilgrim coming to pay obeisance at Sri Krishna Janmasthan gets an opportunity to watch the 'abhishek' ceremony of Thakur Ji between 11.45 PM to 1.30 AM on September 5," Gopeshwar Nath Chaturvedi, the managing trustee of Sri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan said.

"Considering the heavy requirement of prasadam for the pilgrims, the preparation has begun and availability of cow milk for 'charnamrit' ensured," Sharma said.