The devotees started trickling into Madhurapuri and by 9pm the Prayer hall was filled by devotees eager to witness Nandotsavam. The Hall bore the look of a typical palace room of Gokulam on the eve of Sri Krishna's Birth, with pots hanging all over the place, devotees eagerly expecting Nandotsavam, and songs of Govind reverberating throughout the Hall.

After Sahasranamam and Athma Nivedanam, Sri Premika Varadan went for his evening Stroll with his devotees, enjoying their Nama Sankirtanam. After returning from "Purrappadu", the first Divya Nama Sankirtanam of this year's Utsavam took place. Sri Swamigal started the Thirumanjanam (Abhisekam of the Lord), while Divya Namam was going on. The pots were filled in with Milk, curd, butter and scented water. At about midnight, Sri Swamigal read out the Avathara Kattam (the Chapter in Bhagavatham which talks of Sri Krishna's birth) and got ready to start the Nandotsavam.

Periazhwar had given us a detailed sketch of what happened in Gokulam when Sri Krishna was born. When Nandotsavam started in Madhurapuri, the scene was no different...

Sri Swamigal took on the role of Nanda Baba (Sri Krishna's father); he carried the Sweet little blue bundle of Bliss to the cradle, with the devotees singing the birth of Sri Krishna. After carefully placing the little Krishna in the cradle, Nanda Baba(Sri Swamigal, of course!) celebrated the birth of his son with spontaneity and extreme joy. He took a long ornate stick and with sweet notes of "Jai Jai Govinda, Jaya Hari Govinda.." went all over the Hall breaking the pots spilling milk and curd on one another. The whole group gleefully celebrated the Lord's birth with joy.

Then the devotees went near the cradle and showered the baby with gifts; with the group singing of "Madhura Nayaka...", Sri Swamigal performed Dolotsavam to the Lord. It was about 2am when the devotees retired; but with the wonderful thoughts of the day's happennings still lingering on, many couldn't catch much sleep!!!