By Adi Kesava Das
Dear Devotees, Friends and Well Wishers
The festivals have begun as of yesterday here at Krishna Balaram Mandir, ISKCON Vrindavan. During the month of Shravan Vrindavan is flourishing with greenery due to the rains and is also buzzing with pilgrims. Yesterday being Pavitropana Ekadasi marked the first day of Radha Govinda’s Jhulan Yatra, the famous festival where our sweet Utsav Deities of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar are swung in Their opulently decorated swing. This event is held in the courtyard of the temple and will continue for the next 3 days. It starts at 5pm and continues up to 8.30pm. All the devotees and pilgrims are given a chance to swing Their Lordships accompanied with ecstatic kirtan which creates a most enlivening atmosphere in the temple for everyone to dance for the pleasure of the Lord.
Please take the opportunity to view our LIVE Broadcast on our website to watch the following events and festivals. This service is provided for those who cannot be here personally to still be able to participate in the festivities, ofcourse ultimately to get the mercy of our most merciful Srila Prabhupada and our most beautiful Deities here at ISKCON Vrindavan.
Here is the direct link to view our LIVE Broadcast which is functioning continuously throughout the day and night showing the entire temple program http://www.iskconvrindavan.com/live/
On the 21st of August is the Appearance day of Lord Balarama. Festivities will begin from Mangal Aratik onwards. The Deities will be offered new outfits, gorgeous flower garlands will be offered to the Deities and the altar and temple room will be decorated. Various senior devotees will be present and will speak on the glories of Sri Balarama. Particularly in Hindi H.H Radha Govinda Goswami will start a lecture series on Srimad Bhagavatam on the topic of the Appearance of Lord Krsna. This lecture series will continue up to Janmastami Day. These lectures will be held in the courtyard of the temple starting in the morning at 8am up to 9.30am The utsav Deities of Sri Sri Krsna Balarama will have abhisek at 10am in the morning and after the bathing ceremony a huge bhoga offering will be done for all the Deities. Then followed by Rajbhoga aratik. At 2pm devotees will honor Ekadasi prasadam feast. Another outfit will be offered to the Deities which we will have darshan of at 4.30pm
The peak of the events rise up to Janmastami which we will observe here on the 28th of August. Four new outfits will be offered to all the Deities, as well as elaborate bhoga offerrings through out the day. A Kalash Abhisek and Maha Aratik will be held in the courtyard for Life Members and donors. This will commence at 7pm and will continue up to 9pm. Maha Abhisek of the Sri Sri Krsna Balaram and Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar will be held on the altar. That will commence at 10pm up to 11pm followed by a Maha Bhoga offering. Then Maha Aratik at Midnight. Ekadasi Prasadam will then be served for all devotees, guests and pilgrims.
The nectar of Janmastami overflows into the next day which is Nandotsava but for us more significantly a most important day as it the Vyasa Puja(appearance anniversary) of our beloved Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The highlight of the ceremony will be that we get to hear from direct diciples of Srila Prabhupada who will be offering their homages and glorification of His Divine Grace. Offerings will begin at 8am and will continue to up to 12.30pm. Then followed by bhoga offerings, pushpanjali and Gurupuja. A maha feast will served at about 2pm.
Please join us here at ISKCON Vrindavan for all these festivities. You may check our website www.iskconvrindavan.com for regular updates in our Darshan Gallery and Media Downloads section and as well as view our LIVE Broadcast http://www.iskconvrindavan.com/live/ for a better experience if you cannot be personally present.
Your servants at ISKCON Vrindavan.