Every Day is a Festival in ISKCON BANGALORE.
Kevala Ananda Kanda : Chanting, Dancing and Feasting.
The festivals make spiritual progress a fun-filled experience.
Colourful altar decorations, beautiful flower garlands, splendid multi-course feasts, elaborate rituals, kirtans, dance and dramas.
Anyone who participates in these exciting events can vouch that there is no modern-day substitute for these soul-satisfying experiences.
Often people wonder, “Is there a purpose to festivals beyond the celebration itself?”
Why worry when we can help you find the answer…..
Immerse yourself into the deeper mood of a festival by learning about the significance of festival and glories of the Lord. In this manner, one gains spiritual wisdom and build a more loving relationship with the Lord.
If this sounds great, and you are eager to be part of it, here are three golden opportunities for you every month: –
Maha Narasimha Abhishekam
Swati Utsav
Kirtan Mela
Maha Narasimha Abishekam
Every second Saturday of the month, one can behold the grand Abhishekam of Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha dev from 11:00 am onwards.
Here are seven reasons why you may not want to miss it
Darshan of Lord during Maha Abhishekam is an amazing experience
Nava Narasimha darshan
Dwadasha Seva
Pallaki utsav
Soul stirring kirtans and bhajans that invoke your strong love for the Supremely strong – Lord Narasimhadev
Chanting of Brahma Samitha
Sumptuous feast – Prasadam
To sponsor for abhiskem either fully or partially contact
Karunika Janava – 9740614814
Swati Nakshatra
Swati Nakshatra is the birth star of Lord Narasimhadev and worship of Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimha on this day is very auspicious.
Hence, every month on Swathi Nakshatra Day, abhishekam of the Utsav murthi of Lord Narasimhadev and Homa is performed for the wellbeing of whole world.
To be a part of the Swati utsav contact à Karunika Janava – 9740614814
“Performing Kirtana and hearing the vibration of the sound Hare Krishna is actually seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly.”
-Srimad Bhagavatam 7.4.25-26
Kirtan mela is when you can let go of all the chains and completely absorb your minds in the continuous chanting of the Holy Names. Peace, love, excitement, thrill, joy are the beats your feet will start dancing to, as you enter an out-of-the-world experience.
Kirtan mela is held on the last Sunday of every month from evening 6:00PM onwards.
Don’t miss it! On the keyboard or on the temple floor– start tapping!
Other Festivals
Ekadashi
Ekādaśī is the eleventh day of the fortnight of the waxing or waning moon and it occurs twice in a month.
SB 9.4.29
In the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, it is said that one who observes fasting on Ekādaśī day is freed from all kinds of reactions to sinful activities. The real reason for observing fasting on Ekādaśī is to minimize the demands of the body and to engage our time in the service of the Lord by chanting or performing similar service.
Appearance/ Disappearance of Acharyas
No matter how much one may endeavour, without the mercy of the Vaishnavas, one cannot make progress in his/her spiritual life.
So on the auspicious occasion of their appearance and disappearance, we seek the blessings of the elevated transcendentalists. We pray at their lotus feet to keep us engaged in the service of Sri Guru and Gauranga.
EVERY DAY IS A FESTIVAL WHEN IT COMES TO KRISHNA, BUT SOME ARE EXTRA SPECIAL
Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami festival is celebrated by millions of people every year all over the world.
Krishna appeared on earth over 5,000 years ago in Vrindavan, India. Krishna means “the all-attractive one”. He is the cause of all causes, the Supreme personality of the entire creation, both material and spiritual, He is the God of all Gods.
This is the day devotees celebrate His beautiful pastimes, His presence in their lives, taking time to remember their eternal loving relationship with Him and His presence within all of their hearts.
Devotees fast till midnight on this day, followed by a feast in His honour.
Brahmotsavam
The archa-vigraha of the Lord descends at the request of the Acharya’s and so we can get an opportunity to serve them.
In the year 2013, Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadev and in the year 2014, Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu descended to bestow their causeless mercy on the citizens of Bangalore.
Brahmostav is an annual festival celebrated for 3 to 4 days mostly in the month of April or May and some of the major highlights of the festival are flower dress for their lordships, Tepostava(Boat festival).
The most eye-catching event is the Milan (Meeting) of Lord Narasimhadev and Lord Giridhari.
Narasimha Chaturdashi
This festival is one of remembrance of the Lord as the protector of His devotees and the remover of all obstacles and difficulties on the path of devotion to the Lord. Lord Narasimhadev, an incarnation of Lord Krishna, is known for His appearance in the world in order to save His devotee, a young child Prahlada.
Lord Narasimhadev appeared at dusk on the Shukla Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Vaishakha (May). Devotees fast till dusk on this day.
We invite you all to participate in the celebrations and seek the blessings of Sri Sri Lakshmi Narasimhadev.
Nityananda Trayodashi
Lord Nityananda, the brother of Lord Chaitanya, always accompanies the Lord in all of His incarnations: as Lord Balarama – the beloved brother of Lord Krishna, and as Lakshmana – the younger brother of Lord Rama.
Lord Nityananda is known for His compassion and the original spiritual guide for all seeking souls.
On the day of Nityananda Trayodashi, devotees fast till noon and pray to Lord Nityananda for spiritual strength.
Gaura Purnima
Lord Chaitanya, also known as Gauranga – the golden coloured incarnation of Lord Krishna – appeared in West Bengal, India, around 500 years ago. Gaura Purnima is the festival of His appearance, taking place in spring. The Lord appeared in His previous incarnations as Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and Lord Narasimha dev. Lord Chaitanya transformed the hearts of everyone He met through singing of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra and re-establishing the Bhakti-yoga tradition that ISKCON continues, through its lineage today.
On this day, devotees fast till moonrise and break their fast by taking anukalpa feast (made from non-grains).
Vaikunta Ekadashi
It is said in the Padma Purana that anyone who passes under the Vaikunta Dwara on the day of Vaikunta Ekadasi with great faith and devotion, attains “Vaikunta”.
Special attractions: Vaikunta dwara, Laksharchana, Go-puja
Ekadasi that occurs in the month of Margashirsha (December – January) during the fortnight of waxing moon is of special significance and is glorified as Vaikunta Ekadasi.
May all the festivals bring utmost joy to your devotional life!
Join the bliss!
Hare Krishna!
Gallery
