Mysuru: Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated on Friday and Saturday by  International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) at its centre located at Jayanagar in city.

Presiding deities Sri Krishna and Balarama, were adorned with exquisite decorations, radiating divine beauty that drew thousands of devotees throughout the day. The main highlight of the festival was the Maha Abhisheka which performed on Saturday night and culminating with the Maha Mangalarati and Harinama Sankirtana at midnight, the sacred moment of Lord Krishna’s appearance.

All visitors were served sanctified prasadam. ISKCON had also organised, a 13-day cultural festival with events such as vedic quiz, puranic costume show, storytelling, essay writing, rangoli, music, pushpalankara and drawing competitions in which over 4,000 children took part.

Artistes came from different parts of Mysuru and rendered service by singing melodious bhajans on  both the days. Tulasi Archana, Pushparchana Seva, Makhan Mishri Seva and other sevas were conducted.

ISKCON also highlighted its ongoing projects, including the construction of a grand Hoysala-style Temple and cultural complex at its nine-acre site in Jayanagar and also its Akshaya Patra programme, which feeds over 20,000 children daily in and around Mysuru. Over 50,000 devotees and visitors participated in the celebrations.