City to mark Lord Krishna's birthday with puja and bhog

Streets to erupt with dahi handi events where young devotees will enact scenes from Krishna's childhood; pathaks preparing for festival since July.

- Manoj Ramakrishnan

Mumbai will celebrate Janmashtami on Monday with puja and bhog. On Tuesday, the streets of the city will erupt with dahi handi events where young devotees will enact scenes from Krishna's childhood.

At one of the main temples in the city to the deity, ISKCON's Radha Gopinath Temple at Girgaum Chowpatty, the deities will be adorned in elaborate dresses.

The morning attire, called the Mangal Arti dress, will depict the art of Pichwai that originated in the 17th century at Nathdwara, an important Vaishnavite pilgrimage centre in Rajasthan where Krishna is worshipped as Shrinathji.

Pichwai paintings depicting scenes from Krishna's life are used as a backdrop in the altar where the deity is installed.

The word 'Pichwai' comes from 'pichh' meaning back and 'wai' meaning hanging, referring to the paintings that were originally hung behind the deity of Shrinathji.