Devotees at home, puja and jhankis live-streamed in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: Krishna Janmashtami celebrations remained a silent yet a close knit affair in the city in keeping with Covid-19 protocol.
While dance and cultural performances were missing this year, devotees joined in the celebrations virtually from their homes.
Following social distancing and Covid-19 protocols, city’s only ISKCON Temple celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna in the presence of core committee members and a few devotees.
Giving a virtual tour to devotees, ‘mahaabhishekh’ and ‘bhajans’ by Vrindavan Bhakt Mandali were streamed live online on the Facebook and YouTube pages of the Temple. The ‘aarti’ to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday was also telecast live at 12 midnight.
“Every Janmashtami, more than 3 lakh devotees attend the celebrations. However, due to pandemic, we kept the temples closed for public. Only a few devotees attended the celebrations. On Thursday, the temple will host ‘dahihandi’ ritual at 10am,” said Aparimay Das from Daliganj’s Madhav Mandir online celebrations were organised for devotees.
Celebration at New Hyderabad’s Khatu Shyam Mandir was also a low-key affair. Instead of dance and cultural fest, the temple committee members cut a 12kg cake at midnight to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.
Unlike previous years when people moved out to see ‘jhankis’ (tableau), devotees had to catch the glimpse of New Ganeshganj’s ‘jhanki’ online. “Janmashtami celebrations used to be a grand affair every year where we put up jhankis portraying the life of Lord Krishna. Since big gatherings are not allowed this year, we livestreamed the celebrations,” said organiser Anupam Mittal.
Many devotees celebrated the festival at their homes by making their own ‘jhankis’ and dressed up their children as Lord Krishna. Narendra Singh Negi of Indira Nagar said he dressed up his one-year-old daughter as Krishna to celebrate the festival.
(Inputs by Raghav Duggal)