Mathura: Natwar Nagar Nand Kishore, the butter thief has come. On Monday, lakhs of devotees reached the doorstep of Natwar Nagar to witness the 5251st birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. 

Be it children or old people… the anxiety to witness Kanhaiya's birth was clearly visible on every face. As the day progressed towards evening, the cheers kept resonating and the excitement of Kanha's arrival was visible everywhere. When the conch was blown to announce Lala's arrival at 12 in the night, every particle of Braj was drowned in happiness.

The event started at 5:30 a.m.

Monday was his 5251st birth anniversary. The celebrations began at 5:30 am at Shri Krishna Janmasthan. After the Mangala Aarti, the deity was blessed with Panchamrit Abhishek and Pushpaarchana at 8 am. 

It was the excitement of the birth of their idol that thousands of devotees reached the Mangala Aarti in the morning. The day progressed and the crowd kept increasing. After 12 noon, there was no place to even set foot at the birthplace and its path. 

In the afternoon, Bhajan Kirtan was held in Bhagwat Bhavan and the devotees were lost in the worship of Kanha. Artists performed the plays of Kanha on stage at 19 places in the city. Cheers for Kanha resonated everywhere.

The sprinkling of fragrant liquid began in the premises of Shri Krishna Janmasthan from 7 pm. Now only five hours were left for the birth. Even these hours seemed difficult for the devotees. At 11 pm, the worship began with the installation of Shri Ganesh and Navgrah at the birthplace. 

Here, the saints and monks kept on doing Akhand Harinam Sankirtan to the tune of drums. When the clock's hand moved towards 12 o'clock, the whole campus echoed with the cheers of Kanhaiyalal. As soon as it was 11.59, the doors of Yugal Sarkar in Bhagwat Bhawan were closed for the appearance of Lala. 

Milk Abhishek with the symbol of Kamdhenu Cow

When the clock struck 12, the movable idol of Natwar Nagar was brought to Bhagwat Bhawan. The idol was seated on a silver lotus flower and the milk Abhisheka started with the symbol of Kamdhenu cow. 

The Mahabhishek was performed by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, president of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Trust, Anurag Dalmia, managing trustee, Kapil Sharma, secretary and member Gopeshwar Nath Chaturvedi. On one side, Kanha was anointed and on the other side, cheers were raised from millions of throats. 

The devotees who were inside were blessed by the darshan, those who were outside were struggling to get inside quickly. Bells and gongs resounded throughout Braj at night on the birth of Kanha.