-News : Anand Kumar Barkur, Pics : Subhanu, Barkur
Barkur: The Shri Venugopala Krishna Yuvaka Sangha (Regd.), Moodukeri, Barkur, hosted the 30th edition of the Shri Krishna Janmashtami and public Mosaru Kudike (curd-pot) festival at the Shri Venugopala Krishna Temple, with the celebrations marked by widespread enthusiasm and participation.
Evening of Devotion
On the evening of Friday, September 4, 2026, Shri Pushkala Kumar of Tonse delivered a Harikathe discourse on Krishna-Sudhama, followed by bhajans performed by various bhajan mandalis that continued until midnight. At 12:15 a.m., an Arghya (ceremonial offering) was made to Lord Krishna, marking the moment of his birth.
Formal Inauguration
The main program on Saturday morning, September 5, was inaugurated by Shri Raghuram Baikady, editor of the Samparka Sudha magazine. Among those present for the inauguration were astrologer Uday Kumar, Praveen Tantri, and Shri B. Sudhakar Rao, a retired headmaster from Barkur.
Also present were Shri Ramakrishna Ganiga Haradi, Vice President of the Udupi District Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja (Regd.), Moodukeri Barkur; Shri Nagaraj Ganiga Thenkanidiyoor, President of the Venugopala Krishna Yuvaka Sangha; along with students from Barkur National Pre-University College and Hanehalli Higher Primary School, accompanied by their teachers.
Honouring Long-time Contributors
Shri B. Sudhakar Rao, Honorary Advisor to the Yuvaka Sangha, was felicitated for his years of active involvement in organizing the Janmashtami curd-pot celebrations.
A range of competitions and recreational games were arranged for students and the general public, with a "Muddu Krishna" (baby Krishna look-alike) contest serving as the star attraction of the closing ceremony. Prizes for the student competitions were presented by H.T. Narasimha, Honorary President of the Bengaluru chapter of the association, and Hangyo Gopal Ganiga of Manipal.
The temple's striking floral and fruit decorations, arranged as a special seva, drew wide admiration and were sponsored by entrepreneur Shri Arun V. Ganiga, President of the Ganiga Seva Samaja, Dubai. He was felicitated alongside Shri Ananta, President of the Karnataka Ganiga Abhivruddhi Nigam (Karnataka Ganiga Development Corporation), and Shri Sagar Shetty, a Mumbai-based businessman who sponsored the Anna Santarpane (community meal) — all honoured before an assembly of dignitaries.
Suresh Pujari of Hosala Garadi, who has climbed the greased pole to break the traditional curd pot for 16 consecutive years, was also felicitated for his sustained feat.
Closing Ceremony
The evening's prize distribution and concluding ceremony was presided over by Shri K. Uday Kumar, President of the Udupi District Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja (Regd.), Barkur.
Chief guests included Shri Ananta; Shri Arun V. Ganiga; Shri Sagar Shetty; Shri Vijaya Kodavooru, former Udupi City Municipal Council member; Shri Dinakar Heroor, President of the Udupi Urban Development Authority; Rajendrakrishna Ganiga of Bengaluru, immediate past president of the Venugopala Krishna Educational Society; Shri B. Shantharam Shetty, a Barkur-based businessman; Shri Ramakrishna Ganiga Haradi; Shri Shevadi Suresh Ganiga of Kota; Shri Ganesh G., President of the Venugopala Krishna Educational Society; Shri Vijay K., President of the Venugopala Krishna Multipurpose Souharda Cooperative Society, Barkur; Shri Nagaraj Ganiga of Saligrama, General Secretary of the Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja, Udupi; Shri Praveen Acharya Ranganakere, second administrative trustee of the Kalikamba Temple, Barkur; advocate Shri Dayanand G. Udyavara; and journalist Shri Rajesh Ganiga Achladi.
Also present were Yuvaka Sangha president Shri Nagaraj Thenkanidiyoor, Shri Ganesh Ganiga of Masti Nagar, Shri Balakrishna Uppooru, Uday Kumar Barkur, Balakrishna Barkur, Suresh Ganiga of Masti Nagar, Shri Nagaraj Ganiga, Shabarish, and other dignitaries, along with members of the Udupi District Somakshatriya Ganiga Samaja, members of the Yuvaka Sangha, devotees and the general public.
Prizes were distributed to the winners of the various sporting competitions organized for the public and students, as well as to the winners of the Muddu Krishna contest.
Shri Ramakrishna Ganiga Haradi delivered the welcome address, while Yogish Kolagiri compered the program.
