A devotional music event with a contemporary format drew large crowds on Wednesday, as the Vishwa Shanti Dharma Sammelan and Maha Sankirtan, organised by ISKCON Visakhapatnam, brought together monks and residents in a shared public setting along the Visakhapatnam’s beachfront.
The programme began with a nagar sankirtan (chanting procession) from the Kali Mandir at RK Beach in the evening and proceeded to MGM Park. More than 500 brahmacharis and sannyasis from across the country participated. Radhapada Dasa, a brahmachari from Panihati in Kolkata who participated in the procession, said the effort sought to convey “a message of peace and unity” at a time of global uncertainty.
Commissioner of Police Shankhabrata Bagchi joined the procession and described it as an exercise in the “rejuvenation of spirituality,” while recalling the message of equality and universal brotherhood associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
The ‘Bhajan Clubbing’ segment, held at MGM Park from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., drew families, students and young professionals. Tickets were priced at ₹300, and organisers from ISKCON said attendance exceeded initial estimates, with over 2,000 tickets sold.
“Events like these happen elsewhere, but we never had the opportunity to attend. When we heard it was taking place in Visakhapatnam, we decided to come,” said Tanusha, who attended with her sister, Vaishnavi, from Old Town. “It feels different from regular concerts or clubbing. There is a sense of calm even as we participate.”
