Radha Krishna ISKCON
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated with great fervor especially across India marking the birth of Lord Krishna. “Krishnashtami”, “Gokulashtami” or simply Janmashtami will be celebrated on 1st September by the Smartha Sects Brahmins and on 2nd September 2010 by the Brahmins who form the part of the Vaishnava Sects.
This auspicious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi i.e. the eight day of the Bhadra month, the dark month according to the Hindu calendar. Lord Krishna who is also the incarnation of Hindu deity Lord Vishnu has many intense followers on this land.
Many worshippers observe a severe fast a day before this festival where they restrain themselves from consuming grains, whereas some do not take even a drop of water. The entire night is spent engrossed in the worship of this revered deity be it reciting hymns in His praise or the shlokas from the Bhagavata Gita which culminates in parana which is the breaking up of the fast.
Thereafter, follows a day full of pomp and swing where Sri Krishna Janmashtami is observed as Nandotsav or Nanda Mahotsav in various temples all over the country. The ladies of the house mark the entrance of their homes with rice paste so as to form small feet of infants. They are always made pointing towards the house which is believed to mark the entry of the child Krishna in their abodes to bring them prosperity and happiness.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami with great show on both the days at its centre and Krishna Lila Theme Park situated in Bangalore. These events will include Gopuja as well as Utlotsavam which is the ceremonial commencement of the festivities of birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. This will be ensued by reciting bhajans and “abhishekam” of the Lord at midnight. Further, cultural programmes will be a part of the evening celebrations.
On September 2, the members of the society will distribute ‘Prasadam’ to more than 50,000 worshippers. There are several ‘sevas’ that mark the importance of this day. ‘Thottilu seva’ where devotees get an opportunity to swing the mesmerizing idol of baby Krishna having butter and ‘abhisheka seva’ that is carried on throughout the day. The final abhisheka done about 10 pm sees a huge turnout every year. Eventually, all the devotees move to the aarti ceremony of Lord Krishna to pay their utmost tribute to their beloved God.
