Hare Krishna! City’s Two ISKCON’s to Celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Mangaluru: Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is a yearly festival for Hindus and celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. It is a precious festival to the Vaishnavism culture of Hinduism. The festival will be perceived as per the Hindu luni-solar calendar. This is a global festival. It is celebrated in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, the USA, Fiji etc. Gokul is the name of the destination where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The name Krishna has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Karsh’ that means ‘to pull.’ According to Adi Shankara, Lord Vishnu’s 57 name is Krishna. The meaning of Krishna is the “Presence of happiness and knowledge.’’ The festival normally befalls on the 8 day after Avami Avittam ceremony, and this year it is celebrated on 2 September.
As part of the Celebrations Of Krishna Janmashtami, Hindus paint and decorate their houses. The footprints of kids are imprinted from the entrance to the pooja room rectifying the arrival of Lord Krishna. Special sweets are prepared and offered to the Lord. Butter, which is entrusted to the most favorite food item of the Lord, is also offered. Devotees perceive fast on the festival day. They break the fast at midnight and sing devotional songs on the Lord. In the evening, devotees will worship the Lord and offer delightful foods such as appam, coconut seedai, fruits, thattai etc.
Krishna Janmashtami is one of the popular festivals of Hindus and is celebrated by Hindus across the country with eagerness. If you understand the significance of this great festival, you can perform Gokulashtami poojas enthusiastically. The significance of the festival correlates to the birth of the Lord. It is believed that Lord Krishna was born to relax the people from all types of evils and was titled to destroy the whizzes on the earth. According to mythology, the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami symbolizes the influx of prosperity and spreads the message of ‘relationship.’
Why Do People Celebrate Dahi Handi? Dahi Handi is a pot of curd. It befalls on the second day of Gokulashtami. During his childhood, the Lord used to love butter the most. He used to steal butter made by young ladies in Gokul. His mother decided to punish him when she got a complaint from gopis. She scolded and advised him not to repeat the same mistake again. Therefore, Dahi Handi is celebrated on the festival day to copycat the thieving of butter by the Lord. Dahi Handi signifies the relevance of teamwork according to mythology.
Happy Sri Krishna Janamashtami wishes from Team Mangalorean in advance!
Arya Samaj Road ISKCON to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami on 1 and 2 September at Koragappa Kalyana Mantapa, Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Kudroli, Mangaluru.
Addressing the media persons during a Press Meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Karunya Sagar Dasa, the President of ISKCON said, “International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Arya Samaja Road, Mangaluru is organizing Sri Krishna Janmashtami on 1st and 2nd of September this year in Koragappa Kalyana Mantapa, Gokarnanatheshwara temple, Mangaluru. We welcome and invite everyone for this most auspicious festival to come with your colleagues, family and friends and receive special blessings of Lord Krishna on His appearance day”.
He further said, “On the first day, Cultural Programs starts from 4 pm to 6.30 pm. This will be followed by the prize distribution of the Heritage festival which was held last month on 18th & 19th August 2018 in Canara High school Auditorium, Urva, Mangaluru. About 1000 students from 35 schools in and around Mangalore have participated in this fest. We have conducted 18 different events like Gita Shloka Chanting, Colouring, folk Dance, Essay writing, Painting, Mime Show, vocal Music, Vedic Quiz etc. etc., About 300 students will be receiving prizes for different events. The prize distribution will begin at 6:30 pm. The prizes will be handed over by Vedavyas Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru South and Myself. This will be followed by a video show on Lord Krishna’s appearance followed by Grand Mahamangalarathi at 9 pm along with Sankirtana chants by all devotees. Delicious Dinner Mahaprasadam will be served for all after the arati”.
“On the second day Darshan starts from 12 noon onwards, there will be a magic show themed as ” Yogeshwara Krishna” performed by Mega Magic Star Kudroli Ganesh from 3.45 pm to 4:45 pm. This show will be an educational and innovative show unique from the other shows which is performed by the artist as an offering unto Lord Krishna. Added attraction this year will be sensational Saxophone performance by renowned Saxophonist and Padmashree Awardee Sri Kadri Gopalnath on “Hari Chitta Satya” from 5 pm to 6:45 pm. Post that there will be a Grand Maha Abhishek of Lord Krishna followed by an important and interesting video on Lord Krishna Maha Mangalarathi at 9:30 pm accompanied by ecstatic Kirtans. Dinner Mahaprasadam will served at 10 pm for all ” added Karunya Sagar Dasa
“Japa Mantapam an exclusive 108 step-mantapam will be created to facilitate the chanting of the Lords holy name by all. We desire that there will be chanting of FIFTY LAKH NAMES OF LORD KRISHNA on this day by all devotees. Donna prasadam for all the devotees is also arranged on both the days. There will be a special swing for Little baby Krishna and people can offer “Jhulan Seva” to the Lord on 1st Sept from 4.30 pm-8.30 pm and on 2nd Sept from 12 noon to 6.45 pm Devotees can also offer Pushpanjali Seva to Lord Krishna during the same time on both the days. All are welcome for the festival without discrimination of caste, creed and religion. Yours in the service of Lord Krishna, mankind and children” concluded Karunya Sagar Dasa,
Nikhilatma Dasa, and Sudhakar Rao Pejavar, both Cultural Programme Coordinators were also present during the press meet. For more details contact Nikhilatma Dasa at 99725 30108, Arya Samaj Road, Mangaluru, Email: iskconmangalore@gmail.com
ISKCON Sri Radha Govinda Temple-Coconut Garden Road, Kadri Tollgate, Mangaluru to celebrate Shri Krishna Janmashtami at the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Convention Centre, M. G. Road, Mangaluru on Sunday 2nd Sep 2018.
Addressing the media, Nama Nishtha Das, President of ISKCON said, “Sri Krishna Janmashtami, is the appearance day of The Supreme Personality of Godhead – Lord Sri Krishna. The purpose of celebrating this auspicious day is to understand the importance of Lord Krishna in our lives. Darshan will remain open for whole day from 9 am to 10:30 PM. From 10 am to 4 pm there will be competitions for school children and 6 pm to 10:30 pm we have Janmashtami Celebrations. Dinner Prasadam will be served to all the visitors at 10:30 PM. In children program, they will be grouped according to their age and in some competitions they are grouped as primary school, middle school and high school students. Prizes will be given to winners at 6:00 pm:
“From 10 am to 1 pm, there will Krishna Vesha and Painting Competition; Krishna Vesh: Children up to 15 yrs are allowed to participate. They will be provided with Stage, mike & audio system. Painting Competition will also be held for Students of Primary, middle and high school. Drawing sheets will be provided, and they are supposed to bring their own coloring material; 2 pm to 4 pm: Gita shloka recitation and Gita quiz competition; Gita Shloka Recitation Competition. Participant should be able to recite at least 5 shlokas of Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. Regarding Gita Quiz- Students have been provided with the Booklet containing pictorial depiction from Bhagwat Gita and a Corresponding Study Booklet containing shlokas with their translation and explanation. They will be issued photograph booklet and will be asked to write on five photographs which they have to relate with the shlokas and their explanation”.
Also speaking at the press meet, Programme coordinator Srivasangan Kirtan Das said, “Janmashtami celebrations will start at 5 pm and will last until 10:30 PM. The program will comprise of various Pujas and Artis, Abhishek, Jhulan and Pravachans and Bhajans. The celebrations will end with the Maha Mangalarti at 10 PM. The Janmashtami Program details are: 5.00 pm: Shri Krishna Janmashtami inauguration; 6.30 pm: Sandhya Arti; 7.00 pm: Pravachan; 8.00 pm: Abhisheka; 9:00 pm: Jhulan utsav, and10.00 pm theMaha Mangal Arti followed by Dinner Prasadam for all. Everyone irrespective of caste or creed are cordially invited to be part of the celebration on this auspicious occasion and benefit from the blessings of Lord Sri Krishna”.
For any clarifications for these competitions, please contact Srivasangan Kirtan Das: 9845261300, Coconut Garden Road, Kadri Tollgate, Mangaluru 575002. Email: namadas@gmail.com