Vrindavan, 6th Septmeber, 2015: The temples of Vrindavan celebrated Nandotsava on the next day of Shri Krishna Janmashtami. On Sunday, Shri Rang Mandir celebrated the Nandotsava, by organizing the ‘pole festival’, locally known as the ‘Latthe ka Mela’.
The Latthe ka Mela is very popular among the local residents. They gather on the west gate of Shri Rang Mandir to witness the celebration. A wooden pole (lattha) was erected on the ground at the west gate of the temple, on which the ‘wrestlers’ were offered to climb. A vessel full of gifts containing copper, bronze, silver coins and the currency notes were placed on the top of the pole. The wrestlers needed to climb the pole and get the vessel. The first people who reached at the top would get the vessel along with gifts inside it.
The wrestlers made pyramid on the side of the pole and made attempts to climb on it. But the 40 feet pole was made slippery with oil before it was erected on the ground. A tall wooden platform was made just beside the pole, at the same height. When the wrestlers tried to climb on it water mixed with oil and turmeric was poured on it. It made it difficult for the wrestlers to climb on the pole and grasp the vessel. The audience enjoyed the festival with humor while watching the wrestlers slipping on the pole even after reaching near the target.
When they found it very difficult to reach the top, they went to seek the blessings from the deity of Shri Rangnath ji, who arrived on the spot sitting on a chariot to witness the celebration. After taking the blessings of the Lord, finally a wrestler climbed on the pole and caught hold on the vessel full of gifts. The gifts were distributed among his fellow wrestlers.
At the end they took bath in the ‘kund’ situated inside the temple. The temple management gave reward to all the wrestlers.
It should be noted that Shri Rang Mandir celebrates Shri Krishna’s appearance day and Nandotsava according to the Rohini Nakshatra, where as the other temples celebrate Krishna’s birthday on ashtami. This year both ashtami and Rohini Nakshatra fell on the same day, which made it easier for the devotees to celebrate it together.
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