Udaipur, The second day of the three-day Shri Krishna Janmashtami Mela Mahotsav at Pratap Gaurav Kendra – Rashtriya Teerth was marked by vibrant cultural celebrations, devotional fervour and traditional Rajasthani festivities, attracting a large number of visitors throughout the day.

The festival venue was adorned with colourful tableaux, the traditional Lehariya Utsav, and the Naav Manorath ceremony, creating a festive atmosphere steeped in spirituality and cultural heritage.

Pratap Gaurav Kendra Director Anurag Saxena said the fair, organised under the aegis of the Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Samiti, witnessed heavy footfall at exhibition and food stalls throughout the day, while children thronged the amusement rides during the evening.

Krishna Tableaux Captivate Visitors

Festival co-convenor Himmat Singh said a tableaux competition was organised on Saturday morning, featuring artistic depictions of Lord Krishna’s divine leelas and episodes from Indian religious and cultural traditions. The creative presentations received an enthusiastic response from visitors and judges alike.

Lehariya Festival Celebrates Rajasthan’s Folk Heritage

Co-convenor Jaswant Singh Pundir said the afternoon Lehariya Utsav showcased Rajasthan’s colourful folk traditions through cultural activities and competitions.

In the mehendi competition held as part of the festival, Neha Sen secured first place, followed by Monika in second and Koyal Shrimali in third.

The evening concluded with the Naav Manorath ceremony at Bhakti Dham, where devotees gathered in large numbers for darshan of the beautifully adorned deity. A devotional bhajan sandhya continued late into the night.

Bhagwan Eklingnath Saraswati Sanskar Vidyalaya Wins Tableaux Competition

Bhagwan Eklingnath Saraswati Sanskar Vidyalaya won the first prize in the tableaux competition and received a cash award of Rs 11,000.

The Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Badgaon secured second place and was awarded Rs 5,000, while Alok Government Senior Secondary School finished third and received Rs 2,100. Vidya Niketan Upper Primary School, Badgaon received a consolation prize of Rs 1,100.

The judging panel included Rekha Mahatma, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School, Bairan (Rajsamand); Kiran Kotiya, Block Chief Education Officer, Badgaon; and Sanjay Shandilya, faculty member at DIET Udaipur. Entries were evaluated on presentation, creativity, theme, message and student participation.

Guests Appreciate Students’ Creativity

Among the guests present were Chetna Bhati, Additional Superintendent of Police (CID), Udaipur; Latika Paliwal, Deputy Commissioner, Tribal Area Development Department; and Roshan Dangi, Additional Superintendent of Police, Pratapgarh.

The guests praised the participating students and said such competitions help nurture creativity, confidence and social awareness among children.

Dance Dramas Blend Tradition with Contemporary Themes

Students from Thoor and Sayra presented dance dramas portraying themes including Hadi Rani and contemporary social issues. Women performed a traditional Ghoomar dance around a child dressed as Shrinathji, while participants showcased Talwar Raas, yoga postures on the Mahishasuramardini Stotra, and a self-defence demonstration under the guidance of Shipra Didi of Kalika Petroleum.

Gavari to Mark Festival Finale

Festival patron officer Pankaj Paliwal said the concluding day of the festival on September 6 will feature a traditional Gavari performance from 9 a.m., celebrating Mewar’s renowned tribal folk theatre and cultural heritage as the grand finale of the Janmashtami Mahotsav.