Sambalpur: The city reverberated with songs in temples and homes marking Janmasthami, the mythological birthday of Lord Krishna, Monday. Florists and fruit vendors did brisk business since morning, as every household made haste to buy fresh flowers and more fruits to celebrate the joyous occasion.
Shyam Sundar Dhar alias Baru, an educationist by profession and a well-known face in the fields of culture and religion, is an inmate of Gopalji Mutt here. He told Orissa POST that the five-centuries-old Mutt promoted the Vaishnavi-Krishnite cult. The mutt was built by Vanshi Gopal Dev of the royal family during the rule of the Sambalpur king Baliyar Singh (1650-1685). The king’s statue is placed at the feet of Lord Gopal Krishna at the temple. This is one of the most-affluent mutts in Orissa.
The religious scholar shared some stories on Janmasthami. He noted that the Krishnites are divided into two sects — Smartta and Vaishnavi. The Smarttas observed Shri Krishna Janmostav Monday and the Vaishanvis Tuesday, and so also at Vrindavan, the epi-centre of the festival. The festival would be observed regularly for three days from Monday at the mutt.
The other main attraction of the day was at Madan Gopal Temple at Sakshipara. A recently built temple, devotees started thronging the place from early in the morning. A devotee, Gunanidhi, told OP that the spacious campus and the abundance of parking space were added attractions at the temple. “We find the temple and its surroundings really serene and pleasant,” he said.
The Janmasthami festival was observed in all Shree Krishna and Jagannath temples besides households as usual. Devotees observed fast and thronged their favourite temples the whole day to worship and pay obeisance to the Lord. The culmination of the religious fervor was at the late evening hour, when the actual birthday festival (Janmotsav) took place with usual rituals. People shared their joy by observing Nandotsav that follows a day or two later. PNN
