Mangaluru: Krishna vesha competition at Kadri Temple showcases diverse avatars of Lord Krishna
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, September 5, 2026: The annual Krishna Vesha competition, organised by Kalkura Pratishtana in association with Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple as part of Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, was held at the Rajangana of the temple on Friday, showcasing children dressed in various forms of Lord Krishna.
The programme began in the morning with ‘Sri Krishna Varna Vaibhava’. Women added a traditional touch to the celebrations by singing devotional songs collectively while churning curd with traditional wooden churners to prepare butter.
Cultural programmes were held in the afternoon. The Sri Krishna Janma Mahotsava was inaugurated at the Nandagokula stage in the presence of dignitaries, children dressed as Krishna and their mothers by lighting the traditional lamp.
As part of the inauguration, infants below six months of age were placed in cradles and rocked to traditional lullabies.
Sri Kshetra Kateel chief priest Lakshminarayana Asranna lit the ceremonial lamp, while MLA Vedavyasa Kamath extended his greetings and best wishes.
Speaking on the occasion, Kalkura Pratishtana president S. Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said the organisation has been conducting the Krishna Vesha competition for the past 44 years. He noted that several talented participants who had taken part in the competition at Kadri have gone on to achieve recognition and success in their respective fields.
He said a new category was introduced this year, featuring participants churning buttermilk using traditional wooden churners.
Kadri Sri Manjunatha Temple Management Committee president Dr A.J. Shetty conveyed his best wishes on the occasion.
Among those present were Dr Harikrishna Punaroor, Dr M.B. Puranik, Dr M.P. Srinath, G.K. Bhat Seraje, Bhuvanabhirama Udupa, Surendra Rao, Leelaksha Karkera, M. Shashidhar Hegde, Ashok D.K., Sameer Puranik, Chandrashekar Shetty, Janardhana Hande, Sudhakar Rao Pejawar and Vijayalakshmi Shetty, among others. Kadri Navaneeth Shetty compered the programme.
All participants in the competition were presented with a Panchaloha idol of Krishna with a traditional Udupi churner, a book on the life of Sri Krishna, a photograph of Kadri Sri Manjunatha, a flute, gifts contributed by sponsors, certificates of appreciation and a copy of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, all packed in an attractive cloth bag.
The National Children’s Festival Sri Krishna Vesha Competition was held from 9 am to midnight. Various competitions were organised simultaneously across 44 categories and 12 stages.