Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with great fervour and devotion at the ISKCON temple in Sagar Nagar here on Saturday. As per the Vaishnava tradition, August 16 is celebrated as the main day of Lord Krishna’s birth and a large number of devotees from across the city gathered at the temple to seek blessings.
The day began with the auspicious “mangala aarti”, followed by continuous chanting of the “Harinama Sankirtan”. Special discourses were delivered by Pujya Nitai Saveni Mataji and Temple president Samba Prabhuji.
The idols of “Sri Sri Radha Damodar” were adorned in exquisite silk garments brought from Vrindavan and decorated with flowers sourced from different regions of the country. After the darshan, devotees participated in the traditional “Uyya Seva”, reverently swinging the “baby Gopala” in beautifully decorated cradles. A dedicated Harinama Mandapam was set up, allowing devotees to chant the “Hare Krishna Maha Mantra” 108 times before proceeding for darshan.
In the evening, the Utlotsavam attracted large crowds. Children took part in a Radhakrishna fancy event, followed by dance competitions that added a festive charm to the celebrations.
The temple authorities conducted the “Maha Abhishekam”, this sacred ritual included the use of holy water collected from various rivers, herbal juices, panchamrita, panchagavya, and fragrant flowers. Following the “Abhishekam”, a grand “maha aarti” was performed with 1008 lamps, amidst soul-stirring chanting by devotees, creating an atmosphere of divine ecstasy.
