ISKCON, Chandigarh celebrated Sri Krishna Janamashtami

India

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Chandigarh, August 19, 2022:

Shri Krishna Janamashtami , which is celebrated on the midnight of the eight day of waning moon (Ashtami tithi under Rohini Nakshatra), is the appearance anniversary of Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to mark His Descent to this world.

Some 5000 years ago, Sri Krishna appeared as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudev in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This festival celebrates His arrival in this world in His original form as a two-armed beautiful cowherd boy, with bluish hued skin who plays a flute and enjoys pastimes with His most intimate and loving devotees. 

Millions gather today, in India and around the world, to offer prayers, worship, and devotional songs glorifying the appearance of Lord Sri Krishna.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Chandigarh celebrated Sri Krishna Janamashtami (the appearance of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna) festival in a marvellous and unprecedented way.

In a world infatuated with technological advancement, it is imperative that we inspire children to connect with our cultural roots soaked in Vedic wisdom and encourage them to imbibe timeless values. 

On the eve of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, ISKCON Chandigarh held a cultural program on 18th August, 2022- presented by the children of Bhakta Prahlad School & Gopal Fun School. Through ballets, dance performances, rhymes and skits various pastimes of Sri Krishna, who is worshiped all over the world as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, were presented. About 120 children performed 12 small small skits, dance etc. Various performances were:-

1. Sri Krishna’s appearance (birth) pastime
2. Makhan Chori Lila
3. Killing of Putana
4. Rasa Lila
5. Go carana Lila (Herding cows with His friends)
6. Recitation of Sanskrit verses from Bhagavad Geeta

The children enthralled the audience with their performances, thereby attracting the minds of one and all towards God. This program was a glimpse of how creative expression in the field of performing arts develops the child’s inner self and creative discipline also helps in developing child’s personality.

JANAMASHTAMI

On the final day, the temple hall was decorated with beautiful and fragrant flowers, and thronged by devotees who were eager to have Darshan of the Lord and serve Him. There were wide variety of flowers used for the beautification of the temple.

Not only did lacs of devotees participate in the temple festivities physically, but owing to continuous live streaming facility on Youtube and facebook, many other devotees celebrated the merciful event sitting in the very comfort of their homes.

The Janamashtami celebrations began with Mangala Aarti of Sri-Sri Radha Madhava, the most attractive couple of the City beautiful at 4:30 am followed by Tulsi Aarti, Nagar Kirtan in Sector 36 , Guru-puja of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Chanting of the Holy names of Krishna with melodious tunes enthralled the devotees participating and also those witnessing the divine celebrations online on Youtube.

Main attractions of the day were:

1. Divine Swing (Jhulan) of Sri Ladoo Gopal  and Sri Sri Radha Madhava .
2. Attractive flower decoration.
3. Enchanting Aviral Kirtan whole day.
4. 108 Kalash Abhishekam of Sri Laddoo Gopal
5. 108 Pradeep Aarti to Sri Sri Radha Madhava.
6. 108 Bhoga offering to Their Lordships
7. Splendid Maha Abhishekam of Sri Sri Radha Madhava with milk, ghee, different types of fruit juices , which are honored as Charanamrita later on.
8. Midnight Prasadam for all devotees.

On the auspicious occasion, Sri Sri Radha Madhava were adorned with a brilliant new dress (traditional attire) and  the devotees felt blissful by having a glimpse of Their Lordships.

Devotees continously performed kirtans and glorified Sri Krishna by singing wonderful songs composed by the Vaishnava Acharyas. Many Important personalities of the city graced the temple to have Divine Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Madhava and encouraged the devotees with spiritual wisdom.

Devotees fasted until midnight, the hour of Lord Krishna’s appearance, having spent the day performing devotional activities in honor of this most auspicious occasion.

The celebrations concluded at midnight with a grand celebration of the birth of Lord Sri Krishna accompanied by an elaborate Maha Aarati , which was performed as the devotees sang Sri Guruvastakam.

The path of bhakti or devotional service prepares one’s heart and consciousness — by eradicating selfishness and incorporating selflessness — to understand and experience the divine love and mercy of God.

This is a wonderful day to meditate and reflect on the beautiful pastimes of Sri Krishna and pray that we can love and serve Him eternally because,

नेहाभिक्रमनाशोऽस्ति प्रत्यवायो न विद्यते ।
स्वल्पमप्यस्य धर्मस्य त्रायते महतो भयात् ॥

“In this endeavour of offering service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, you get eternal credit, and a little service offer to Lord Kṛṣṇa can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.”

~Bhagavad Gita, verse 2.40

Journalist Jaswant Singh Puri