Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced that the State Government will highlight sites related to Lord ShriKrishna and the historical-cultural significance of prominent temples and locations across Madhya Pradesh by organising ‘ShriKrishna Parv’ and the Prakatyotsav of ‘Leela Purushottam’ on the auspicious occasions of ‘ShriKrishna Janmashtami’ (August 16) and ‘Haladhar Mahotsav’ on ‘Balram Jayanti’ (14 August).
CM Dr. Yadav said that these celebrations will immerse the entire state in the spirit of Shri Krishna and drape it in cultural colours. CM Dr. Yadav emphasised that participation from all sections of society is being ensured in these programs.
Minister of State for Culture, Tourism and Religious Trusts & Endowments (Independent Charge) Shri Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi informed that on ‘Balram Jayanti’ and ‘ShriKrishna Janmashtami’, literary discussions, dialogues, Bhajans, kirtans and cultural troupe performances will be organised focusing on episodes from the lives of Balram and ShriKrishna, their contributions and their welfare-oriented life stories. At the district level, 'Matki Phod' (Dahi Handi) competitions will also be held on Janmashtami.
Shri Lodhi said that ‘ShriKrishna Parv’ will be celebrated from August 16 to 18 at the Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain, where ShriKrishna attained education and wisdom.
The first day will feature Krishna Leela by artists of Vishala Cultural Institution Ujjain, flute recital by Shri Anupam Wankhede (Indore) and Bhajans by Ms. Swati Ukhale (Ujjain).
On August 17, performances will include Bareli folk dance by Shri Akshay Khare (Panna), devotional songs by Ms. Krishnad Verma (Ujjain) and Krishna Leela by Vishala Cultural Organization. On the final day, August 18, there will be Thathiya folk dance by Shri Avinash Dhurve (Betul), Bhajans by Shri Ramchandra Gangolia (Ujjain) and Krishna Leela presentations.
At Narayana Dham Temple, Ujjain, from August 14–18, there will be multiple performances including Krishna dance dramas by Smt. Sangharatna Banker & group (Bhopal), Sangeeta Sharma (Delhi), Arghya Kala Samiti (Bhopal) and Smt. Sukanya Nagda & group (Mumbai); Bhajan by Shri Anmol Jain & group, Shri Charanjeet Singh Soundhi, Shri Babulal Solanki, Smt. Shraddha Jain, Shri Ravi Tripathi & group (Mumbai), Smt. Kalyani Sugandhi and Vani Sathe (Ujjain), Ghoomar folk dance by Ms. Anuja Joshi (Khandwa) and Raas Leela by Shri Balram Sharma (Mathura).
In Mahidpur (Ujjain) at Shri Radha Krishna Temple from August 14–16, the program will feature devotional songs by Ms. Anamika Tripathi (Mumbai), Krishna dance drama by Ms. Prashasti Maneshwar (Mumbai), Bhajans by Ms. Aakriti Mehra & group (Bhopal), Mayur dance & Phoolon ki Holi by Shri Govind Tiwari (Vrindavan), Bhajans by Ms. Urmila Mewada (Shajapur) and Raas Leela by Shri Govind Tiwari.
At Gopal Mandir, Ujjain, on August 16, Ms. Shweta Gunjan Joshi (Dhar) will present Bhajans and Ms. Vinati Jain (Ujjain) will perform Matki folk dance.
Minister Shri Lodhi added that ShriKrishna was given the Sudarshan Chakra by Lord Parashuram at Janapav. On August 16, Bhajans will be performed there by Ms. Sheela Tripathi (Bhopal) and Ms. Ankita Kailasia (Gwalior). At Amjhera in Dhar district, where ShriKrishna abducted Rukmini, a two-day festival will be organised on August 16–17, featuring Badhai dance by Shri Dilip Sandela (Sagar), Bhajans by Shri Charanjeet Singh (Mumbai), Shri Anandeelal Bhavel (Dhar) and dance drama ‘Krishna’ by Rang Triveni (Bhopal).
In Panna, at Shri Baldevji Temple on August 14, Bhajans by Ms. Kamla Lodhi (Chhatarpur), Ghasiya Baja by Shri Lal Bahadur Ghasi (Sidhi) and devotional songs by Swapnil Melody Group (Jabalpur) will be held. On August 16, Jugal Kishore Temple in Panna will host Badhai and Bareli folk dance by Shri Amit Gharu (Sagar) and devotional songs by Shri Pawan Tiwari (Tikamgarh).
In Damoh at PM College of Excellence on August 16, Krishna dance drama by Vividh Kala & Cultural Committee, Bhajans by Ms. Madhavi Madhukar Jha (Mumbai) and Badhai/Jawara dance by Shri Abhilash Chaubey (Sagar) will be presented.
In Khategaon (Dewas) at Shri Radha Krishna Temple, Bhajans by Ms. Sanjo Baghel (Jabalpur) and Malwi Bhajans by Shri Mangilal Kulshreshtha (Agar-Malwa) will be held. In Rewa at Krishna Rajkapoor Auditorium, Bhajans by Ms. Manimala Singh (Rewa), Badhai folk dance by Durva Namdeo (Sagar) and Bhajans by Shri Ravi Tripathi & group (Mumbai) will be presented.
In Mandla at PM College of Excellence on August 14, Bareli folk dance by Shri Manish Yadav (Sagar), Haladhar Leela by Shri Girdhar Gopal Sharma (Mathura) and Bhajans by Ms. Rakhi Banke (Bhopal) and Ms. Laxmi Dubey (Jabalpur) will take place. On August 16 at Mahishmati Ghat, Badhai and Bareli folk dance by Ravi Ahirwar (Chhatarpur), Krishna dance drama by Dr. Shyama Pandit (Bhopal), and Bhajans by Shri Rudrakant Thakur & group (Seoni) and Shri Manish Agrawal & group (Jabalpur) will be presented.
At Devi Birasni Temple in Pali (Umaria), “ShriKrishna Parv” will be organised from August 14–16. The three-day celebration will include Bhajans by Shri Dukhilal Dahiya (Umaria), Krishna dance drama by Ms. Sanghamitra Taywade (Bhopal), and devotional songs by Kabira Band (Umaria). On August 15, Bhajans by Ms. Mamta Mishra (Narmadapuram) and Krishna-themed dance by Abhinayana Dance Academy (Odisha) will be performed. On the final day, Krishna dance drama by Ms. Shalini Khare & group (Jabalpur) and Bhajans by Shri Vivek Mehta & group (Indore) will take place.
In Shahdol at Manas Bhavan Auditorium on August 14 at 7 PM, a dance drama by Shri Arvind Kumar Patel (Sidhi) and Bhajans by SAYA Band (Bhopal) will be held. On August 15, at Government Sandipani Higher Secondary School, Chhatwai village, Raas Leela by Ms. Jaya Saxena (Mathura), Bhajans by Shri Ishan Minocha (Jabalpur) and singing by Shri Munindra Mishra (Shahdol) will be presented. On August 16, at Radhaswami Temple in Dhanpuri (Shahdol), Bhajans by Ms. Ishita Vishwakarma & group (Mumbai) and Ms. Manobhavana Singh (Rewa) will be featured.