Janmashtami will be celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and gaiety in all the 700 centres of ISKCON across the world, the statement issued from the ISKCON's headquarters at Mayapur in Nadia district said.
More than 50,000 devotees are expected to visit the Mayapur premises of ISKCON on the occasion of the three-day Janmastami festival from September 2, an ISKCON statement said.
Several spiritual, devotional and cultural programmes will be held during the period.
Janmashtami will be celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and gaiety in all the 700 centres of ISKCON across the world, the statement issued from the ISKCON's headqurters at Mayapur in Nadia district said.
The statement said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conveyed his best wishes to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) on the occasion of Janmashtami.
In a letter, the Prime Minister said "I am sure that the festival will fill the minds of all devotees with spiritual fulfilment and greater enthusiasm for service of humanity."
The Hare Krishna temple in Bhadaj will also celebrate Janmashtami starting with darshan, maha abhishekam, swarna rathotsava, bhajan and a dance drama by Darpana Academy of Performing Arts under the aegis of Mallika Sarabhai, followed by maha mangala aarti at midnight.
The Krishna Janmashtami celebrations are held across the country and also in various parts of the world. The festival is known by several names like Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti, or simply as Janmashtami.
The tradition of celebrating Lord Krishna's birthday hails as one of the most important religious festivals for Hindus. Raas Lila or Krishna Lila which comprises dance and drama enactments of Lord Krishna's life is one of the popular ways to celebrate the festival. According to the verses in the Bhagavad-Gita, a famous shloka narrates that whenever there will be pre-dominance of evil and decline of goodness, Lord Vishnu shall re-incarnate to save the earth. Lord Krishna's birth as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu also marks the prevalance of goodwill and good energies.
Devotees observe a day-long fast only to open it next day when the Asthami tithi or the eight day is over. The devotees gear up to welcome baby Krishna to their homes by performing Krishna Abhishekam. People decorate Lord Krishna’s idol with new garments and fresh flowers after bathing the idol with milk, ghee and water. Then bhog is offered to the deity. Devotees fast on this day. They adhere to phalahar diet (diet which consits of fruits and water) during the hours of fasting.
(With PTI inputs)
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