Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations Worldwide
Last Updated:August 29, 2008
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AUSTIN: Krishna Janmashtami is
being celebrated with great enthusiasm
in India and around the world. Here’s
the first of our Janmashtami reports
begins with the celebrated at Barsana
Dham.
Hindus all over the world every year
celebrate Shree Krishna janmashtami,
from simplest festivities with families
and friends to large gatherings with
thousands in attendance. Shree Raseshwari
Radha Rani Temple, Barsana
Dham in Austin is unique among them
all. Barsana Dham, founded in 1995
by HD Swami Prakashanand Saraswati,
has offered truly exceptional and
ecstatic
Janmashtami celebrations for
the past 13 years.
This year, families from all over
Texas and beyond came to Barsana
Dham. As usual for celebration times,
the ashram was filled to capacity. A
delicious dinner prashad was served
; mouth watering puries, chaval, dal,
sabji, mithai filled everyone’s plat.
Soon everywhere you looked people
were eating and relaxing with friends
and families in the marvelous and
beautiful garden-like grounds.
After dinner, everyone rushed to the
Temple to secure a front row seat for
the evening program. Children were
jumping and giggling, tugging at their
parents begging to take them to their
own special outdoor program, complete
with a baby calf who was quickly
named “Cowie”. Chanting soon began– “Mero Gopala Mero Nandlala” and“Govind Gokul Ayo”; jaikars filled
the air, dholak, dhol, manjira, jhanch,
the traditional instruments of India,
enlivened the hearts of all.
A traditional and eloquent Janmashtmi
message was delivered by
Sushree Diwakari Devi, president of
JKP, Barsana Dham. Diwakari devi
(Didi) explained the importance of
doing bhakti. Following the discourse,
the leela presentation began; people
mummered in expectant excitement,
the prayer hall lights were lowered
and conches heralded the first glimpse
of 12 year old Shukdev entering the
stage. Everyone delighted in receiving
the darshan of baby Krishn – candy
was thrown to all during the joyous jamn scene. Further, everyone enjoyed
a delightfully charming bal leela
performed by children from all over
Austin.
The evening continued with chanting
of Krishn name until midnight in
the main prayer hall concluding with
the arti of Bal Krishna.
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