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By Madhava Smullen<\/em><\/p>\n This year\u2019s Janmastami festival at New Vrindaban, West Virginia on September 5th<\/sup> is expected to be packed with inspiring spiritual activities and sweet exchanges between residents and guests alike.<\/p>\n \u201cUnder the steady leadership of our community president Jaya Krishna Prabhu, the quality of the festival has been improving every year,\u201d says one of the festival\u2019s organizers Gaura Nataraj Das.<\/p>\n Around three thousand people, including ISKCON devotees from around the country, members of the Hindu community and some Western tourists are expected to attend. Meanwhile, the event will also be broadcast live internationally at Mayapur.tv.<\/p>\n The numbers demonstrate New Vrindaban\u2019s popularity as a holy place where people can celebrate Lord Krishna\u2019s appearance day on the United States\u2019 East Coast.<\/p>\n After all, it was often described by Srila Prabhupada as non-different from Vrindavana, India. And with its beautiful Radha-Vrindabanchandra temple, cow protection program, and replicas of Govardhana Hill and Braja\u2019s sacred lakes, it\u2019s a place where one can truly celebrate Janmastami steeped in the mood of Krishna\u2019s sacred village.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s festival will begin with a stunning reveal of the altar at 8:00am that will send participants even deeper into this meditation. Dressed in a gorgeous new maroon and gold outfit imported from Vrindavana Dhama itself, Sri Sri Radha Vrindabanchandra will be nestled in a stunningly elaborate arrangement of flowers and foliage replicating the forest of Vrindavana.<\/p>\n Long-time community resident Varshana Swami will then immerse listeners in his trademark sweet stories of Krishna\u2019s pastimes and deep philosophical realizations.<\/p>\n After more kirtans and spiritual discussion throughout the morning, there will be a sudarshan maha yajna fire ceremony for the auspiciousness of all at 3:00pm.<\/p>\n \u201cJust as Lord Krishna\u2019s sudarshana discus cuts everything, we\u2019ll pray to the Lord to please cut away all the obstacles in our spiritual lives,\u201d says Gaura Nataraj.<\/p>\n Next, everyone will make their way to the goshala, or cow barn, which will be beautifully decorated with flowers and festoons.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone will get the chance to worship Lord Krishna\u2019s cows, whose horns and bodies will also be decorated for the occasion,\u201d says Gaura Nataraj. \u201cThen everyone will also get to pass below the stomach of the cow, which is considered very auspicious. It will be lots of fun!\u201d<\/p>\n After that, it\u2019s a special treat for the kids, with professional storyteller Sankirtan Das donning a ceremonial princely garb and telling the story of Krishna\u2019s birth in his riveting style. Props, such as the basket in which Vasudeva carried the Lord across the Yamuna, will add to the experience.<\/p>\n After a stomping 7:00pm kirtan and Nrsimha arati, devotees and guests will get the chance to bathe the Lord, a sweet and intimate service.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we meditate on all the the fruit juices, milk, honey, and yoghurt cleaning the body of the Lord, our hearts will be cleansed,\u201d says Gaura Nataraj. \u201cIt\u2019s a highlight for many.\u201d<\/p>\n Next, hundreds of dishes lovingly prepared at home and brought in by community members \u2013 subjis, rices, fried treats, chutneys, cakes, sweets, fruit, pies \u2013 will be piled onto the altar and offered to Lord Krishna.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, New Vrindaban residents will perform a drama telling the story of Krishna\u2019s birth, Gujarati dancer Reshma Bharti will perform a traditional Bharat Natyam piece, and the children of Gopal\u2019s Garden preschool will make a special appearance all dressed up as Radha, Krishna and the gopis of Vrindavana.<\/p>\n Throughout all these activities, of course, the momentum will be building towards the grand finale: the epic Janmastami midnight arati. As the rest of the temple room is plunged into darkness, the curtains will open to reveal a glowing altar, completely covered in a lavish bounty of green branches and flowers of every kind and color imaginable.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n