Udupi, (The Hindu): Many devotees participated in the Vittal Pindi festival here on Monday. Devotional fervour, rhythmic dancing by the ‘Huli Vesha’ dancers on Car Street and elsewhere in the temple-town and the much sought after distribution of sweets by the seers of the ‘Ashta Mutts’ were the main highlights of this festival.

In the afternoon, the idol of Krishna on a golden chariot was taken out in procession on Car Street. It was brought from the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple and placed in the golden chariot. Before the chariot could move forward, a group of devotees dressed in folk costumes vied with one another and tried to break the earthen pots containing milk and other products, which were hung from 12 specially constructed wooden ‘gopuras’ with long sticks in their hands. Known as ‘mosaru kudike,’ the breaking of these earthen pots is a delight to watch and the procession moved after pots were broken at each ‘gopura.’ The large number of devotees cheered the group as they broke the pots.

After the procession reached midway, Vidyadheesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Palimar Mutt, Vidyasagar Tirtha Swami of Krishnapur Mutt, Vishwapriya Tirtha Swami of Admar Mutt and Ishapriya Tirtha Swami, junior seer of Admar Mutt, climbed a wooden stage. They distributed sweets and chakkulis to the devotees, who jostled with one another to catch them.

After the Vittal Pindi procession culminated at the entrance of the temple, the clay idol was taken from it and taken to the picturesque Madhwa Sarovara pond, where it was immersed.

Many participated in the ‘Anna Santharpane’ organised at the Rajangana and ate meals (prasada). A team of volunteers supplied free buttermilk to people on the Car Street. The performance of ‘Dahi Handi’ by Yuva Prerana team from Mumbai was yet another highlight. The youth from this team formed a big pyramid and then broke open the earthen pot at the top, recreating the ‘Govinda Ala Re’ tradition from Mumbai, to the joy and applause of the people.