ISKCON-Mayapur and Nabadwip celebrate Lord Krishna's birth with joy and reverence

 

ISKCON-Mayapur and Nabadwip celebrate Lord Krishna's birth with joy and reverence

Close to 50000 devotees from across the globe participated in the Janmashtami festivities, divine Appearance of Lord Sri Krishna, held at ISKCON headquarter at Sridham Mayapur via various online platforms, said Subroto Das, Head Media Communication.

Biswabrata Goswami

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KRISHNAGAR, 12 AUG: The Covid-19 pandemic is changing the way, major festivals are being celebrated. Shri Krishna Janmashtami also took a virtual route this year in Nabadwip and Mayapur, famous for Vaishnava Dhams. 

Janmashtami celebrations witness lakhs of devotees visit various temples to offer their prayers and seek blessings. However, this year temples followed strict social distancing guidelines and devotees joined the celebrations from their homes - virtually.

Although, only a few selected devotees and pujaris were allowed to perform the rituals inside the Chandradaya temple in ISKCON, Mayapur due to restrictions on entrance but the enthusiasm amongst the devotees was no less.

Close to 50000 devotees from across the globe participated in the Janmashtami festivities, divine Appearance of Lord Sri Krishna, held at ISKCON headquarter at Sridham Mayapur via various online platforms, said Subroto Das, Head Media Communication.

As a precautionary measure, in wake of rising Corona virus cases in the Nadia district, the ISKCON Mayapur Management has decided to keep close the doors of the Chandradaya temple for a month, from 8th August. However the decision will be reviewed after 2 weeks. As per new decision no visitor, devotee and pilgrim will be allowed to enter the campus. Only the pujaris will carry out the regular services of the deities, Mr Das said.

The day began with Mangal Arti, Darshan Arti, lecture on Krishna Lila from Srimad Bhagwatam by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami. From 10 pm to 12 mid-night Mahabishek of the Utsav deity was performed using milk, honey, ghee, yogurt, fruit juices.

Later at midnight Maha Bhog was offered to the Lord. Throughout the day the devotees were fasting  and performed Kirtan and Bhajan. Each year more than a lakh people visit Mayapur during Janmashtami however it was a low key affair this time on ground.  In wake of the rising Corona virus cases in Nadia district, the Mayapur Management has kept closed the main gates of the campus for all devotees and visitors, Mr Das said.

He also said Janmashtami is an important festival for the Vaishnava community. The devotees prayed for well being of all. The devotees will celebrate Vyas Puja, appearance day of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, founder Acharya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness tomorrow morning.

In Nabadwip, Janmashtami was also celebrated amidst maintaining all rituals but with a few numbers of devotees who were allowed to get entry into the temples. Most of the devotees celebrated Janmashtami in their homes and shared photos and videos to their nearest ones.

The birth of Lord Krishna, believed to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, is an annual Hindu festival celebrated as Janmashtami or Gokulashatami. It is usually observed on the eighth day or Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravan or Bhadrapad. This year, Janmashtami celebrations began 11 August, with many also likely to celebrate it today. Krishna puja is usually conducted at midnight; the ritualistic puja includes 16 steps which are part of the Shodashopachara puja vidhi.

As per the Hindu tradition, Krishna is believed to have been born in Mathura at midnight on the eighth day of the Bhadrapada month. Immediately after his birth, his father Vasudeva took young Krishna across the Yamuna river to save him from uncle King Kansa and gave him to his foster parents in Gokul, Nanda and Yashoda. Legend goes that Kansa’s sister Devaki’s eighth son was prophesied to kill the cruel king. So Kansa locked Devaki and Vasudeva in the prison and started killing their sons one by one until Krishna was born.

On Janmashtami, therefore, idols of infant Krishna are washed, clothed and placed in a cradle. The devotees then break their fast and share foods and sweets with a special emphasis on milk products including makhan, milk and curd.