Thousands throng Mathura for Janmashtami

Krishna Janam Ashtami was celebrated with great fervour and fanfare as devotees thronged temples in birth place of Lord Krishna, Mathura, and adjoining areas of Goverdhan and Vrindavan today.

Pilgrims flocked to various temples in the Sri Krishna 'Janmasthan', where special religious discourses, kathas, hymns and community kitchens were held in the decorated temples.

Bathing ceremony of the deity 'Abhishek' was performed with milk, curd, honey, ghee and Khandsari amidst chanting of vedic hymns in Bhagwat Bhawan and Keshav Deo temples.

Several pilgrims paid obeisance in the main temples of Mathura, Vrindavan, Nandgaon, Mahaban and Baldeo, while others performed circumambulation of hillock Goverdhan.

Meanwhile, security in the main temples was beefed up today. Beside police and para-military forces, police in plain clothes were posted at sensitive points of the birthplace.