Video Showing Krishna Idol Slipping During Udupi Vittlapindi Goes Viral

Udupi: A video showing the clay idol of Sri Krishna slipping from the hands of Sri Vedavardhana Teertha Swamiji during the Vittlapindi celebrations in Udupi has gone viral on social media, with the incident causing concern among devotees.

The incident occurred after the Visarjana pooja and before the Avabrutha Snana (ceremonial bath) during the Vittlapindi (Sri Krishna Leelotsava) celebrations held on Saturday.

While the metal Utsava Murthy of Sri Krishna is used during the regular Rathotsava rituals, a clay idol is specially prepared for the Vittlapindi celebrations. The clay idol is taken in the golden chariot during the Vittlapindi Rathotsava and later taken to the Madhva Sarovara, the sacred pond of Sri Krishna Math, for the Avabrutha Snana (ceremonial bath) before being immersed.

The celebrations proceeded smoothly on Saturday until the conclusion of the Rathotsava. After the Rathotsava, the seer took the Prabhavali (ceremonial frame) carrying the clay idol from the chariot to bring it down and place it in the golden palanquin. It was while the seer was taking the Prabhavali down from the chariot that the idol slipped and fell, along with the flowers used to decorate it, according to the video circulating on social media.

Sources said the clay idol sustained some damage in the fall.

The rituals, however, continued as scheduled.

While several versions of the incident and its implications have been circulating on social media, sources in the Sri Krishna Math confirmed that the idol had fallen and sustained some damage. They clarified that the incident occurred after the Visarjana Pooja had been performed but before the Avabrutha Snana.

The incident has since become a talking point among devotees, with many anxious to know whether any additional rituals or religious observances would be required following the fall of the idol.