ISKCON Gears Up For Grand Janmashtami Celebrations
Bengaluru : The Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple at ISKCON is gearing up to host a grand Krishna Janmashtami Mahamahotsav from September 2 to 4, with an extensive line-up of devotional, cultural and spiritual programmes.
The celebrations will feature Krishna Katha at Dwarka , musical performances, dance and theatre presentations, Kalash Abhishek, Maha Abhishek and Maha Aarti. Special offerings will include 56 Bhog comprising around 100 varieties of preparations, including the traditional makhan mishri.
Krishna Katha will begin on September 2, with His Holiness Bhakti Ashraya Vaishnav Swami Maharaj delivering discourses on Krishna-Sudama Milan at 8 am and 7.30 pm. The programme will continue on September 3.
A special cultural programme by children will showcase episodes from Lord Krishna’s life, including Kaliya Daman, Radha-Krishna Leela, Radha-Gopi dance and Ashta-Sakhi dance.
Music will also be a key attraction. Amal Krishna Das, associated with the Bari-Vari Band and an alumnus of IIT Delhi, will present a special flute jugalbandi blending traditional Indian music with contemporary beats.
The deities will be adorned in specially designed outfits for the festival. Paris-trained fashion designer Priyanka Bansal has designed Krishna’s attire in vibrant shades of yellow, blue, pink, green and white. The temple altar will be decorated around a Gokul-themed concept.
The main celebrations on September 4 will begin with Mangala Aarti at 4.30 am, followed by Krishna Katha and Kalash Abhishek. An inter-school theatre festival, fancy dress competition, dance performances, quiz and rock kirtan are also planned.
A special cultural presentation titled “Krishnanjali” will be staged by artists associated with Indian classical and cultural traditions. The evening will culminate in Maha Abhishek and Maha Aarti.
A major attraction will be the distribution of 1,108 kg of cake, besides a special 200-kg cake-cutting ceremony at night.
For the expected rush, organisers have constructed a massive waterproof pandal capable of accommodating around 41,000 people at a time. Around 2,000 defence personnel are expected to assist with security arrangements.
CCTV cameras and drones will be used for surveillance. Wheelchairs, drinking water, buttermilk and thandai will be provided, while carpets will be laid along queues to ensure greater comfort for devotees.