Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 11: The festival of Krishna Janamashtmi which is celebrated every year to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, remained a low-key affair this time due to spread of COVID-19 and resultant restrictions imposed by the UT Government.
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On the auspicious occasion, people enact dance-dramas based on the life of Krishna according to Bhagavata Purana, sing devotional songs throughout midnight in the temples and fast throughout the day but no such activity was witnessed this time as Government is yet to open religious places which were closed in the month of March after spread of COVID-19.
Coronavirus pandemic marred the celebrations to a great extent as no Shobha Yatra of Lord Krishna was taken out today in Jammu city, first time since the Yatra was started during Maharaja Hari Singh’s rule. No major hustle-bustle was noticed in the bazaars. However, rush of devotees was witnessed in selected shops dealing with things and articles needed to perform Pooja of Lord Krishna.
As temples remained closed due to COVID-19, people performed prayers of Lord Krishna and Radha Ji at their respective residences. While some people celebrated the festival today, many will celebrate tomorrow and observe fast throughout the day as a gesture of devotion.
Dharmarth Trust which takes out the Shobha Yatra of Lord Krishna Janamashtami every year on this day, couldn’t do so this year as due to COVID-19, district administration did not give permission for the same. Traders of Raghunath Bazaar which take part in Shobha Yatra every year with great enthusiasm expressed disappointment for not taking out Shobha Yatra this time.
Expressing disappointment, Manmohan Singh, ex-president, Raghunath Bazaar Association, said the traders of the Bazaar are unhappy with the decision of the Government. He said not only Hindus but Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and people of other religions have also great faith on Lord Krishna. Like Hindus, they also welcome Shobha Yatra of Lord Krishna.
“Our Muslim brethren even appealed the administration to give permission for the Shobha Yatra with some riders but their request was not considered,” he said and hoped that this pandemic will be ended soon by the grace of Lord Krishna and in the month of March next year, they will get chance to take out impressive Rath Yatra of Lord Rama.
President, Raghunath Bazaar Association, Surinder Mahajan said that Shobha Yatra of Lord Krishna is an annual feature since Raghunath Temple came into existence but this time they missed this due to COVID-19. “We had urged the authorities to give permission to take out Rath Yatra without devotees but they did not permit even that,” Mahajan added.
Meanwhile, Krishan Janamashtami was celebrated across Kashmir also. The Pooja-Archana of Lord Krishna was limited to homes only. People dressed their male child like Krishna and female child like Radha. The Bhajans and Kirtans of Lord Krishna were organized in several homes but with proper social distancing and following all COVID-19 related guidelines.
In some areas of Kashmir, people were seen dancing on the Bhajans of Lord Krishna but overall the festival remained a low key affair due to restrictions imposed due to COVID-19.
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