Hyderabad: Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival at Hare Krishna Golden Temple, Banjara Hills was celebrated grandly, as part of the festival Lord Sri Krishna gave Darshan to devotees in different forms as Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Godha Krishna, Sri Laddu Gopal, and Sri Makhan Krishna. Everyone was given an opportunity to perform Unjala/Jhulan Seva to Laddu Gopal and Sri Makhan Krishna. Scores of devotees across the city visited the temple and received Lord’s blessings on this most auspicious occasion.
The Auspicious Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrations on September 4th, Friday began with “Shodashopachara Seva“ at early morning 4:30 am. Then Lord Sri Radha Govinda was adorned with select flowers, nava vastras, specially crafted jewellery. The enchanting Shringara Arati marked the beginning of Darshan, extending the blessings of the Divine to the devotees from 6:45 am. The Jhulan or UnjalaSeva for Sri Laddu Gopal and Sri Makhan Krishna commenced simultaneously, granting attendees the honor of participating in this sacred ritual.
In the morning the auspicious “Sri Sudharshana Narasimha homa“ was performed for the welfare and prosperity of one and all. The offering of 56 meticulously crafted food preparations known as Chappan Bhog captivated all hearts, followed by a splendid Raja Bhoga Arati enhanced by resonant bhajans and kirtans. Traditional Natya (dance) & Gana (music) Seva provided a day-long feast for the soul, with constant distribution of Donna Prasadam ensuring every visitor savored the essence of Sri Krishna's blessings.
The festivities included 7 elaborate abhishekams to Sri Radha Govinda throughout the day at morning, noon, sandhya (evening) and midnight, the highlight of the day's celebration was the mesmerizing "Krishna Anugraha Sandhya Abhisheka" (Vishesha 108-Kalasha Abhishekam) that commenced at 6:00 pm. The rhythmic chanting of Vedic mantras intertwined with soul-stirring Harinam sankirtan filled the air as the Lordships Sri Radha Govinda were offered with devotion panchamrita (milk, curd, honey etc), panchagavya (5 auspicious items from cow), varieties of fruit juices, rare herbal powders, chosen varieties of flowers, special aushadhis, navaratnas etc. The main feature of the Abhishekam was that the Lordships were given a ceremonial bath with the holy waters collected by devotees from the 7 sacred rivers of India.
The Sandhya Abhishekam concluded with a SoulStirringPravachan by His Grace Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa prabhuji (M.Tech, IIT, Chennai), President of Hare Krishna Movement Hyderabad, on the significance of Lord Krishna’s appearance.Prabhuji beautifully explained the spiritual significance of Lord Krishna’s divine Appearance, quoting verses from the Bhagavad Gita and the Srimad Bhagavatam. He emphasized that Lord Krishna appears to protect the righteous, annihilate the miscreants, and re-establish dharma. Prabhuji urgedthe devotees to imbibe the teachings of Bhagavad Gita in daily life, especially in a world increasingly clouded by confusion and conflict.
A grand Sandhya Maha Arati and a spiritually enriching Jhulan seva, accompanied by melodious bhajans, kirtans, and traditional dance performances, added the final touches to this celestial event. Later all the devotees were served sumptuous prasadam. Scores of dignitaries, devotees & general public participated in Jhulan Seva of Lord and took the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna. As part of the festival several thematic cultural exhibits were displayed, showcasing Hare Krishna Movement’s initiatives like Hare Krishna challenge, Krishna kids, Japa Club, Aikya Vidya, Folk youth preaching, Tirtha Yatra, and Hare Krishna Vani magazine Offering a glimpse into its multifaceted cultural and social impact.
Krishna Avirbhava Abhishekam starting at 10:30 PM to continue till Mid-Night:
As part of the Krishna Avirbhava Abhishekam, Sri Radha Govinda were bathed with holy waters from 7 holy rivers of India, rare fruit juices, herbal powders, Himalayan herbs, chosen flowers, sugandha dravyas, aushadhis etc, amid ecstatic bhajans & kirtans till Mid night 12 o' clock.
A grand Maha Mangala Arati at 12:00AMmidnight was offered signifying the auspicious appearance of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna in this material world. This was followed by Jhulan Seva to the Lord and finally Ekanta Seva was performed.
Celebrations at Hare Krishna Heritage Tower, Narsingi: Parallel to the Banjara Hills celebrations, Grand Sri Krishna Janmashtami festivities unfolded at the newly envisioned Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Narsingi, Kokapet. Sri Radha Krishna Darshan & Sri Laddu Gopal Jhulan were provided to visitors all throughout the day. The cultural panorama was enriched by performances from the talented children of "Basil Woods" School, while the captivating devotion expressed through melodious music and dance immersed everyone present. Maha Abhishekam, Maha Mangala Arati & Jhulan Seva were conducted for the pleasure of their Lordships. Similar celebrations were also held at Hare Krishna Cultural Centre, Kandi, Sangareddy.
September 5th– 130thVyasa Puja celebrations of Srila Prabhupada and Nandotsavam :
On Sept 5th Saturday, the temple will observe Sri Nandotsavam accompanied by Special Naivedyas and harinama sankirtan along with Unjala / Jhulan Seva to Lord Sri Krishna. The grand 130th Vyasa Puja celebrations on the Divine appearance of the Founder Acharya of Worldwide Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON) Srila Prabhupada will be held in the evening. Devotees offer their Homages & express their gratitude to their spiritual master & performGuru Pujato seek blessings of theVishwaguru Srila Prabhupada. As part of the celebrations manySpecial Food offerings to Srila Prabhupada prepared by devotees were offered and the festival concludes with Prasadam distribution.