Janmashtami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna, was celebrated at ISKCON Kolkata on 28th August (Wednesday), 2013. Dance, Drama, Abhishek, Kirtan, Krishna Katha were the major highlights of the festival. Since, morning large numbers of people started assembling in the temple hall to take beautiful darshan of the Lord. The program started at 4:30 a.m. with Mangala Arati in which everyone enthusiastically participated. The temple was beautifully decorated. Lord Krishna was dressed with beautiful garments, garlands, colourful flowers, jewels and ornaments. Many school children participated in cultural programs based on Krishna’s pastime.
A grand Abhishek of the Lord was performed using milk, honey, water and other ingredients. A melodious kirtan accompanied the Abhishek, devotees joyful danced and melodiously sang the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, “HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE”.
Krishna’s appearance brings auspiciousness in our lives. If we take shelter of Krishna then all our miseries will wither away. Arjuna was in the midst of a ghastly warfare, he was fighting unconquerable warriors like Bhisma, Drona and Karna but still he was victorious because Lord Krishna was always with him. If we too want to be victorious, if we too desire to sail smoothly in this turbulent ocean of material world then like Arjuna we should also take shelter of Krishna. Krishna will then protect us from all the dangers and our lives will be full of bliss and ecstasy.
On 29thAugust, the 117th birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada, the founder acharya of Iskcon, was celebrated with great fanfare. Srila Prabhupada was born next day after Janmashtami, the Nandotsav day.
