Grand Janmashtami Celebrations at Hare Krishna Golden Temple

Metro India News | Hyderabad

On Friday the Hare Krishna Golden Temple in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, hosted grand Sri Krishna Janmashtami festivities. Lord Sri Krishna gave darshan in multiple forms, including Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Godha Krishna, Sri Laddu Gopal, and Sri Makhan Krishna. Devotees from across the city participated in Unjala/Jhulan Seva to Laddu Gopal and Makhan Krishna and received the Lord’s blessings.

Celebrations began at 4:30 a.m. with Shodashopachara Seva. Sri Radha Govinda was adorned with flowers, new garments, and specially crafted jewellery, followed by Shringara Arati from 6:45 a.m. that opened darshan. Jhulan Seva for the child forms of Krishna ran simultaneously. A Sri Sudarshana Narasimha homa was performed for universal welfare and prosperity. 

The offering of 56 elaborate food items known as Chappan Bhog, accompanied by Raja Bhoga Arati, bhajans, and kirtans, delighted devotees. Traditional Natya (dance) and Gana (music) Seva continued throughout the day, with continuous distribution of Donna Prasadam.Seven abhishekams were conducted for Sri Radha Govinda.

The highlight was the Krishna Anugraha Sandhya Abhisheka (special 108-Kalasha Abhishekam) starting at 6:00 p.m. Vedic mantras and Harinam sankirtan accompanied the bathing of the deities with panchamrita, panchagavya, fruit juices, herbal powders, flowers, aushadhis, navaratnas, and holy waters collected by devotees from India’s seven sacred rivers. 

This was followed by a pravachan by His Grace Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa (President of the Hare Krishna Movement Hyderabad), who spoke on the significance of Krishna’s appearance, drawing from the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam and urging devotees to apply its teachings amid modern challenges.A grand Sandhya Maha Arati, further Jhulan Seva, bhajans, kirtans, and dance performances concluded the evening events, after which sumptuous prasadam was served. 

Thematic exhibits highlighted Hare Krishna Movement initiatives such as Hare Krishna Challenge, Krishna Kids, Japa Club, Aikya Vidya, Folk Youth Preaching, Tirtha Yatra, and the Hare Krishna Vani magazine.From 10:30 p.m., the Krishna Avirbhava Abhishekam continued until midnight, again using waters from the seven holy rivers along with other sacred substances amid ecstatic kirtan.

At 12:00 a.m., a Maha Mangala Arati marked Krishna’s appearance, followed by Jhulan Seva and Ekanta Seva.Parallel celebrations took place at the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Narsingi (featuring performances by Basil Woods School children) and the Hare Krishna Cultural Centre in Kandi, Sangareddy, including darshan, Jhulan, Maha Abhishekam, and Arati.

On September 5, the temple will observe Nandotsavam with special offerings, sankirtan, and Jhulan Seva, alongside the 130th Vyasa Puja of Srila Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement, featuring homages, Guru Puja, special food offerings, and prasadam distribution.

Metro India Chairman CL Rajam, MD Mrs Vijaya Rajam attended the program as special guests. Ravi Lochana Das Prabhuji Presented a memento to Sri CL Rajam, Mrs Vijaya Rajam.