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Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
City celebrates ‘Krishnashtami' with devotional fervour
Visakhapatnam: The city soaked in festive spirit as Krishna temples celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami organising various events for close to three days consecutively in Visakhapatnam. ISKCON celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami with great pomp at the ISKCON temple in Sagar Nagar, Visakhapatnam. As part of the second day of the festivities, mangala aarti, chanting of Harinama, Annamayya kirtans, maha abhishekam with water collected from holy rivers, among other activities, were held. Nitai Seveni Mataji and president of ISKCON Samba Das Prabhu preached Krishna Leela. The idols of Sri Radha, Damodar were decorated with silken robes sourced from Vrindavan and fresh flowers from different parts of the country. The premises witnessed a beehive of activity as thousands of devotees from the people of Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas visited. Traffic congestion was seen at Sagarnagar as many visited the temple. A special Harinama mandapam was set up so that the ardent devotees chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra 108 times before the darshan. Utlotsavam organised in the evening saw participation of thousands of children. Dance competitions and other contests engaged them. Adding to the spiritual fervour, the Hare Krishna Movement in Visakhapatnam celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami at Gadiraju Palace. Following an elaborate abhishekam that commenced at 6 am on Saturday, Sri Bala Gopala and Sri Radha Madan Mohan deities were decked up impressively on the occasion. Organised under the leadership of Niskinchana Bhakta Dasa, president of Hare Krishna Movement, Visakhapatnam, the event saw a number of activities. He explained the spiritual significance of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Here, devotees took part in performing abhishekam to the idols. Thousands of devotees availed the darshan and participated in Julan Seva. Cultural programmes were organised on the occasion. Artistes from Sri Dwaram Thyagaraja Group, Chaitanya Brothers, students from Vidyadhari Music School performed programmes. Utti Mahotsavam, selfie with Krishna, sport the differences, Krishna quiz were the other programmes that entertained the audience. On Sunday, the movement is organising 'Vyasa puja' and 'Nandotsavam'. At One Town Area, the festival celebration reached a crescendo as Arya Vysya Yuvajana Sangham organised programmes on the occasion. Pendurthi MLA and JSP Visakhapatnam rural president Panchakarla Ramesh witnessed various festival activities by visiting temples in the constituency. At Abhayanjaneya temple in the 39th ward, 'annadanam' was served to the devotees. Visakhapatnam south constituency MLA Vamsi Krishna Srinivas Yadav took part in the programme. The MLA highlighted that annually, Krishnashtami is celebrated with fervour in Visakhapatnam. 'Such festivals hold great significance in Hindu traditions and unites people of all sections,' he underlined. As schools declared holiday for the occasion, some of the educational institutions celebrated the day in advance. Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar celebrated the festival with devotional fervour. Bhajans, dance performances, pot-breaking activity, among others, were organised on the occasion. Students, dressed as Radha and Krishna, took part in various devotional programmes organised on the campus. At Vignan's Institute of Information Technology, the festival was celebrated in a grand manner. The importance of Lord Krishna's birth was explained to the students. Institute's Rector V Madhusudan Rao, Principal J Sudhakar, and students took part in the pot-breaking exercise. The Principal and Rector exhorted the students to draw inspiration from the verses of Bhagavad Gita and tread a righteous path. As part of the festivities, SR Digi School students took part in various programmes. Dressed in thematic attire, students celebrated 'Krishnastami' with fervour. Headmistress Y Padmaja, and other teachers took part in the festival programmes. The campus of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Public School transformed into a 'little Vrundavan' as it celebrated Krishnashtami on August 14th. Dressed up as Radha and Krishna along with other characters, students of kindergarten joined the celebrations which included cradling of Krishna, playing of flute, singing devotional songs, pot-breaking activity and arranging the campus with butter pots and other related festive decors that largely focused on yellow as the colour theme.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebrated with devotion and fervour in Visakhapatnam
Sri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with great fervour and devotion at the ISKCON temple in Sagar Nagar here on Saturday. As per the Vaishnava tradition, August 16 is celebrated as the main day of Lord Krishna's birth and a large number of devotees from across the city gathered at the temple to seek blessings. The day began with the auspicious 'mangala aarti', followed by continuous chanting of the 'Harinama Sankirtan'. Special discourses were delivered by Pujya Nitai Saveni Mataji and Temple president Samba Prabhuji. The idols of 'Sri Sri Radha Damodar' were adorned in exquisite silk garments brought from Vrindavan and decorated with flowers sourced from different regions of the country. After the darshan, devotees participated in the traditional 'Uyya Seva', reverently swinging the 'baby Gopala' in beautifully decorated cradles. A dedicated Harinama Mandapam was set up, allowing devotees to chant the 'Hare Krishna Maha Mantra' 108 times before proceeding for darshan. In the evening, the Utlotsavam attracted large crowds. Children took part in a Radhakrishna fancy event, followed by dance competitions that added a festive charm to the celebrations. The temple authorities conducted the 'Maha Abhishekam', this sacred ritual included the use of holy water collected from various rivers, herbal juices, panchamrita, panchagavya, and fragrant flowers. Following the 'Abhishekam', a grand 'maha aarti' was performed with 1008 lamps, amidst soul-stirring chanting by devotees, creating an atmosphere of divine ecstasy. The event was graced by Mayor Sri Peela Srinivasarao and several other elected public representatives and Police Commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi. Hare Krishna Movement – Visakhapatnam, also celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations at Gadiraju Palace. The celebrations commenced with the morning abhishekam at 6 a.m. for Sri Bala Gopala and Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan deities. The programme was organised under the leadership of Dr. Nishkrinchin Bhakta Das, President of Hare Krishna Movement, Visakhapatnam.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
ISKCON, Hare Krishna Movement to celebrate Janmastami across Vizag
The International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Sagarnagar, and the Hare Krishna Movement, Visakhapatnam, will jointly celebrate Sri Krishna Janmastami from August 15 to 17 at multiple venues in the city . Addressing the media on Tuesday, ISKCON, Visakhapatnam, president Samba Das, said that the three-day celebrations will be held at the new temple complex at Sagarnagar. The festivities will begin with a solo dance competition at 4 p.m. on August 15, followed by bhajans by Mayapur devotees at 5 p.m., a Telugu discourse on 'Krishna Leela' at 6 p.m. and a cultural programme at 6.30 p.m. On Janmastami (August 16), events will commence with Mangala arati at 4.30 a.m. followed by darshan arati at 9 a.m., Akhanda Harinama Sankeertana at 9.30 a.m., fancy dress competitions at 3 p.m., 'Utlotsav' (breaking the butter pot) at 4 p.m., group dance competition at 5 p.m. and at 10 p.m. Sri Samba Das will deliver the Janmastami message. Maha Abhishekam of Lord Krishna will be performed at 11.30 p.m. and at midnight Mangala Arati with 108 lamps will be offered followed by distribution of 'prasadam' to devotees. On August 17, darshan arati at 10 a.m. followed by Srila Prabhupad Leelamritham at 10.30 a.m.; Nandotsavam and Abhishekam for Srila Prabhupad at 12.30 p.m. Prasadam (lunch) will be served to devotees at 1.30 p.m. The other attractions include: Sri Radha Krishna 'vastra abhusan' made in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, the pushpa alankar (floral decoration) of the deity done by artists from Bengaluru and Kolkata and the temple decoration brought from Pipli in Odisha. Mathaji Nitai Sevini called upon devotees to participate in large numbers and make the festival a grand success. There would be competitions in various categories for school and college students. A total of 750 boys and girls have registered as 'volunteers' for the three-day festival. The Hare Krishna Movement will be celebrating Janmastami simultaneously at two places in the city – at Gadiraju Palace, MVP Colony, and at Hare Krishna Vaikuntam temple premises at Gambhiram, IIM-V Road, Anandapuram – during the three days, according to Yadhu Raja dasa and Syama Madhava dasa. The major events to be conducted include: Hari Nama Japa Yagna, Jhulan Seva, Abhishekam, cultural programmes by eminent artistes like Ghatti Sri Vidya, K. Saraswati Vidyardhi, Dwaram Venkata Krishna Ganesha Tyagaraj troupe, Haritha Sisters, G. Sarada Subramanyam and disciples and Chaitanya Brothers. Devotees can have darshan of the deity from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be special pujas, pot-breaking games and distribution of Bhagavad Gita books. Details can be got from Sri Yaduraja das on mobile no. 9010611108
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Lord, along with siblings, begins annual sojourn amid Jai Jagannath chants in Vizag
There was an air of festivity along the main thoroughfares of the city on Friday as tall 'Rathas' (chariots) carrying the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Bhalabhadra and Godess Subhadra pulled by devotees moved at a slow pace, with cultural troupes performing before the grand processions, and devotees trying to catch a glimpse of the deities. The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra organised by ISKCON, Hare Krishna Movement, Utkal Samaj and Sri Jagannadha Swamy temple drew devotees in large numbers. Devotees gathered on either side of the road and prayed to the deities. Many devotees took selfies and pictures before the chariots. Some of the artistes and cultural troupes, who came to perform before the chariots, took pictures of their groups. The overcast sky and cool weather provided a welcome relief to those pulling the chariot and the artistes participating in the processions. Traditional dances, bhajans, congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and chants of 'Jai Jagannath' marked the commencement of the 18th Annual Sri Jagannath Rath Yatra from the Central Park, near the GVMC. The procession began after Mataji Nitasevini broke a coconut and ceremoniously swept the ground in front of the chariot, symbolising service. Visakhapatnam West MLA PGVR Naidu (Ganababu) inaugurated the Rath Yatra. The procession passed through Dabagardens, Jagadamba junction, Ram Nagar Main Road, before culminating at Gurajada Kalakshetram, where special Vedic rituals were performed by priests. The Rath Yatra, organised by Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, began from the Sri Jagannath temple at Daspalla Hills, after sweeping of the chariot by J.K. Nayak, president of the Samaj. The procession passed through VMRDA Children Arena, AU Out Gate and VUDA Park to reach the Gundicha temple, at Lawson's Bay Colony, where the deities would be in sojourn till July 5. Marwadi Yuva Manch provided drinking water. General secretary of the Samaj, Bimal Kumar Mahanta was present. Scores of devotees participated in the Jagannadha Swamy Radha Yatra from Town Kotha Road to the Turner's Choultry. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat, and Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsikrishna Srinivas inaugurated the yatra after the rituals, by pulling the rope. The chariots of Embar Mannar and Sri Kodanda Ramaswamy temples followed the chariot of Sri Jagannadha Swamy. Endowments Commissioner N. Sujata, Assistant Commissioner Annapurna, temple EO T. Rajagopal Reddy were among those who participated in the Rath Yatra. As one side of the road was occupied by the chariots and devotees, vehicles were allowed to ply on the other side causing traffic snarls at a few junctions.
Hans India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Hare Krishna Movement celebrates WB-themed fest
Hyderabad: The Hare Krishna Movement on Monday joyfully celebrated the 'Panihati Chida-Dahi' Festival with great devotion and festive spirit. The Chida-Dahi Mahotsava is a spiritually significant festival in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, commemorating the historic pastime of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, who, over 500 years ago, on the instruction of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, organised a grand feast of chipped rice mixed with yogurt, milk, fruits and other offerings at Panihati, West Bengal. This heartfelt act of devotion, presented to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu, symbolises the mercy of the Lord and the joy of devotional service. Also referred to as the Danda Mahotsava (Festival of Punishment), it highlights the profound truth that by serving the Lord's devotees with humility, one attains spiritual upliftment. The festivities began with Japa Yajna, Nagar Sankirtan (devotional street chanting) and an Initiation Ceremony for new devotees. The celebration featured a delightful drama by Gurukul children, a spiritually uplifting special pravachan, and a visually enchanting Boat Festival. A special Abhishekam was performed to the deities of Sri Nitai Gauranga with Panchamrita, Panchagavya, fruit juices, fragrant flowers, auspicious herbs (aushadhis), and Navaratnas (nine gems), all amidst the melodious chanting of Vedic hymns. Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, President of Hare Krishna Movement Hyderabad, delivered an enlightening discourse, stating that 'Panihati Chida-Dahi festival teaches us that the surest way to receive the Lord's blessings is by serving His devotees. This festival inspires us to participate joyfully in devotional service and experience divine peace and prosperity.' The celebrations concluded with the special pravachan followed by distribution of sumptuous dinner prasadam to all attendees.
