4 lakh laddus for devotees, toys, song & dance this Janmashtami

JAIPUR: Even as the state government declared Friday a holiday for Janmashtami, many private and public schools in the city remained open as they were not aware of it because of the late announcement. However, many such schools celebrated Janmashtami as the students dressed up as Lord Krishna participated in dance performances, skits and plays.
At Govind Devji temple in Jaipur, around 10 tonnes of Sagari laddus (made of milk and flour) will be prepared as 'prasad' and distributed free to devotees.It is estimated that nearly 4 lakh laddus will be distributed to the devotees.
“Hari Ram Kirtan is being played 24 hours at the temple. The preparations for Janmasthami begin 15 days in advance as the local Shehnai performers set the tone for the festival at the temple, a tradition which is continuing from the days of the Maharajas and Maharanis. The dancers and singers from different parts of the state perform at the temple and tableaus are put on display,” said Roopsur Goyal, who is a regular visitor at the temple.
“The laddus will be offered to the God (Abhishek) before distributing it to the devotees. At the time of ‘Abhishek’, 21-gun salute is given to the God when the members of the royal family will also be present. Next day, Nand Utsav is being observed during which toys, toffees, fruits and coconuts are being distributed to people. A shobha yatra will be organised from Govind Devji temple to Gopinathji temple in the evening day after tomorrow,” he added.
People show love towards the Lord Krishna in various forms. They dress up their kids like the lord and them take to the temples, traditional panjiri laddus (made of dry ginger, dry coriander, cumin, milk, curd, ghee) are being prepared during the festival, which is offered to the lord as a 'prasad.
“People observe Janmasthami at their homes by decorating their houses, the altar on which the lord is seated, preparing sweets and laddus, they observe fast and buy new clothes. They also visit Govind Devji temple,” said a devotee Prakash Chand Sharma.
Janmasthami function was organised at Santa Kidz School in Nirman Nagar on Friday. “There was a Janmasthami function at my daughter, Trisha's school today. I dressed her up like Lord Krishna,” said Chanchal Goyal.
“Janmashthami is celebrated at our homes as well. We buy new clothes, crown, peacock feather and Jhula (hammock) for Thakurji (Lord krishna). We also decorate the altar on which the lord is seated with string lights and other decorative items," she said.