Mathura, Sep 4 (IANS) Mathura turned into a ‘sea of devotion’ on Friday as thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, the festival that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, even as a sudden spell of rain in the evening brought much-needed relief from the day-long heat and humidity and made the festive atmosphere even more pleasant.

Dark clouds gathered over the city as devotees made their way towards temples and markets. Within minutes, light rain began to fall, sending some people rushing for shelter under shopfronts, temple verandahs, and other covered spaces.

However, the rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of devotees. Once the showers subsided, crowds resumed their journey towards the temples.

Mathura on Friday witnessed a steady influx of devotees from different states. By evening, major roads and marketplaces were packed, with long queues forming for darshan at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. Traffic was also affected, with congestion reported around Bhuteshwar Chauraha, Janmabhoomi Link Road, Bharatpur Gate, Govind Nagar Tiraha and Mahavidya Colony. Police and traffic personnel were deployed at key intersections to manage the crowds.

At the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, the midnight birth celebrations were planned on a special scale. A 21-kg cake, prepared in Agra using dry fruits and ingredients traditionally used in paag, would be offered before being distributed among devotees as prasad. At midnight, the deity would undergo a grand abhishek with panchamrit, saffron, and herbs brought from Uttarakhand, followed by a new outfit and an elaborate child-form adornment featuring a peacock feather.

The temple’s annual Mangala Aarti, held only once a year on Janmashtami, was another major attraction. This year, only 600 people were permitted inside the temple for the special ritual, with strict security arrangements and entry passes for police personnel.

Meanwhile, Krishna Utsav 2026 transformed Mathura into a vibrant cultural centre. The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad had prepared 27 decorated stages across the city, showcasing folk dances, music and traditional performances from different regions.

With chants of “Radhe-Radhe” and “Jai Shri Krishna” echoing through the streets, Mathura remained immersed in devotion. The evening rain, devotees said, only added to the joy of celebrating Kanha’s birth.

–IANS

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