Sri Krishna Janmashtami – 26 August 2024
Janmashtami celebrations at Sr Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Vrindavan, Bon Accueil
What a grand event it was! Right from the exquisite flowered-decorated altar to the splendidly-dressed brothers Sri Sri Krishna Balaram, the Janmashtami celebrations at Sr Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir pleased everyone’s heart. A nice Prasad [consisting of rice, subjis, dal, pickle, sweet, savories, drink] was served to all present. There were several stalls set up around the Temple, namely:
- kids’ corner where kids could engage in spiritual activities
- Cows’ corner where guests could feed and worship the cows
- Sales corner where people could buy sweets and savories
- Website stall where website of Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir was presented to the guests
- Krishna lila expo where the different pastimes of Lord Krishna were beautifully illustrated
- Books’ table where people could buy books written by Srila Prabhupada
- Japa stall where people got the opportunity to learn how to chant Hare Krishna mahā-mantra
- Festival pandal where several programs were presented to the guests, namely dramas, Kirtans, dance, lectures, Abhishek, Arati.
Divine appearance of Krishna
Sri Krishna Janmashtami marks the auspicious appearance day of Lord Krishna on earth, to perform His divine pastimes.
Vasudeva saw the newborn child, who had very wonderful lotuslike eyes and who bore in His four hands the four weapons śaṅkha, cakra, gadā and padma. On His chest was the mark of Śrīvatsa and on His neck the brilliant Kaustubha gem. Dressed in yellow, His body blackish like a dense cloud, His scattered hair fully grown, and His helmet and earrings sparkling uncommonly with the valuable gem Vaidūrya, the child, decorated with a brilliant belt, armlets, bangles and other ornaments, appeared very wonderful.
At the auspicious time for the appearance of the Lord, the entire universe was surcharged with all the qualities of goodness, beauty and peace. The constellation Rohiṇī appeared, as did stars like Aśvinī. The sun, the moon and the other stars and planets were very peaceful. All directions appeared extremely pleasing, and the beautiful stars twinkled in the cloudless sky. Decorated with towns, villages, mines and pasturing grounds, the earth seemed all-auspicious. The rivers flowed with clear water, and the lakes and vast reservoirs, full of lilies and lotuses, were extraordinarily beautiful. In the trees and green plants, full of flowers and leaves, pleasing to the eyes, birds like cuckoos and swarms of bees began chanting with sweet voices for the sake of the demigods. A pure breeze began to blow, pleasing the sense of touch and bearing the aroma of flowers, and when the brāhmaṇas engaging in ritualistic ceremonies ignited their fires according to Vedic principles, the fires burned steadily, undisturbed by the breeze.
Brahma Samhita chapter 5 - extract
Krishna’s name and Krishna are non-different. Chanting Krishna’s name is like having His personal darsana.
Please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and be happy:
Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare