ISKCON Bangalore celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2024, Lord Krishna’s divine appearance day, on 25 and 26 August at KTPO, Whitefield.
Krishna describes the nature of great souls in the Bhagavad-gita (9.14) as follows:
सततं कीर्तयन्तो मां यतन्तश्च दृढव्रता: ।
नमस्यन्तश्च मां भक्त्या नित्ययुक्ता उपासते ॥ १४ ॥
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
Narayana ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate
Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
The festival saw an array of programmes involving the chanting and singing of the glories of the Lord.
Grand Pallakki Seva
The festivities on 25 August began with a grand Pallakki procession for the utsava vigrahas of Sri Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama. The assembled devotees then had the opportunity to have Darshan of Their Lordships and receive Their blessings.
Divyam – Gita Recitation by Children
Divyam event, a testament to the devotion of 1000 children of the beneficiaries of the Krishna Life program, chanting shlokas from the Bhagavad-gita and Brahma-samhita, the hymns glorifying Krishna composed by Lord Brahma. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu found this at the Adi Keshava Perumal temple during His padayatra to south India.
Divine Concerts and Elaborate Abhisheka
In the evening, renowned classical vocalist Sooryagayathri captivated the audience with a devotional concert, setting a spiritually charged tone for the grand abhisheka that followed.
The Deities were bathed with pancha-gavya, pachamrita, fruit juices and herbal waters accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras and Harinama Sankirtan.
The first day’s celebrations concluded with a performance by the Sadho band.
On the evening of 26 August, Hindustani classical vocalist and playback singer Siddhartha Belmannu and Harinam Sankirtan singer Maanya Arora, also known for her devotional songs, enchanted the audience with their performances.
Janmashtami Special Darshan and Choir Performance
The festivities on 26 August began with a beautiful Darshan of Their Lordships in the morning.
In the evening, the venue resonated with the harmonious voices of 150 singers and musicians who came together to perform a mesmerising choir rendition of the devotional song, “Sri Krishna Govind Hare Murare.” The collective melody filled the air, creating an atmosphere of deep spiritual connection as the music echoed throughout the temple, enveloping the devotees in a wave of devotion and reverence for Lord Krishna.
Abhisheka and Midnight Arati
The festivities concluded with a grand Abhisheka and midnight Arati for Their Lordships, leaving the assembled devotees enraptured.
The devotees also relished honouring the Maha Bhog Thali prasadam feast. They expressed happiness at coming together and glorifying Lord Krishna’s divine appearance and activities.
Devotees from Whitefield enthusiastically participated in the Janmashtami celebrations. They volunteered in various services, including decorating the temple and assisting with prasadam distribution, making the event a collective effort.