Janmashtami festival in ISKCON started on Friday evening with a cultural evening. It was quite a buzz from Saturday morning itself. The temple is attractively decorated. The stories of Shri Krishna are displayed on the campus through pictures. Various types of stalls have been set up. Selfie Zone is also created. In the evening, Abhishek of Lord was arranged on the stage in the temple premises. For this, devotees got the chance to do Abhishek by getting the coupon at the counter of the temple committee. Devotees lined up for Abhishek. This was followed by cultural programs.
The birth anniversary of Lord was celebrated at night. According to Pt Raghavdas, Abhishek of the Lord was performed at 10.30 pm. This was followed by Mahaarti at midnight. During this time the temple was filled with devotees. As soon as the birth of Lord Darshan was observed at night, the devotees celebrated the birth anniversary of Krishna with joyful cheer. The blocks were closed after Mahaarti.
Srila Prabhupada’s Appearance Day will be celebrated on Sunday on the occasion of Nanda festival in the temple. There will also be narrative discourses on this occasion.
Devotees also got a taste of foreign indulgence by visiting. Most of the foreign dishes resembling native dishes were seen at the foreign Bhoga stall in the temple premises. The method of making them was foreign and the material was also used in those countries. According to Pt Raghavdas, ISKCON has branches and temples all over the world. Where foreign devotees also attend the events. They offer exotic vegetarian offerings to God.
Most of the bhoga offered in different countries are similar to Indian cuisine but they also include special vegetarian dishes there. Such as French fries, pasta, American corn, etc.
Nanda Utsav at Gopal Mandir
Nanda Utsav was celebrated on Saturday in the big Gopal temple. From morning to evening, bhajan-kirtan should be played in the temple. The tableau of Mata Yashoda was decorated. Dholibua Balakrishnath narrated the theme of Shri Krishna Katha to the devotees in the Kirtan style in the temple premises. The story is happening every day.
Devotees also did Abhishek for the Lord in the ISKCON temple in the evening.
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