West Bengal: ISKCON HQ gears up for Janmashtami celebration
Mayapur Aug 19 (UNI) Preparations are in full swing at the global headquarter of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) here to celebrate Janmashtami.
More than 50,000 devotees and tourists from all over the world are expected to participate in the 3 day celebrations beginning August 23, informed Subroto Das, media spokesperson of ISKCON Mayapur.
As per established Vedic scriptures, Lord Sri Krishna appeared from the womb of Devaki 5000 years ago in the Dwapara Yuga in Mathura. Janmashtami is celebrated in Krishna Paksha on the 8th day of month of Bhadra as per Vedic calendar.
The major attraction for this year is the offering of close to 400 "Kalashas" to the Lord Sri Krishna by the devotees. Astounding amount of milk, ghee, honey, yogurt, coconut water, fruit juices will be used for the Maha-Abishek of the deities - Sri Radha Madhava. More than 200 litres of milk , 200 litres of yogurt, 50 kg ghee, 100 kg honey, 100 litres sugar water, 50 litres of fruit juices, 100 litres of coconut water, 20 litres of rose water, 300 litres of Ganga water, 20 litres of panchpushpa, 15 litres of scented water and over 200 kg of flowers have been arranged. The 8.5 ft tall deities of Lord Sri Radha Madhava will adorn new silk dresses designed especially by devotees who are professional designers.
Enthusiasm among hundreds of devotees from Spain, Russia, Brazil, China, Portugal, Australia, England, America is palpable as they are busy making rangolis all over the huge temple campus, decorating with lights and giving final touches to the ornaments that will be offered to the Lord.
On August 25 Vyasa Puja or appearance day of His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, founder Acharya of ISKCON, will be celebrated with fervour and devotion. He is revered as the global ambassador of spreading ancient Vedic wisdom to the entire world. On this occasion there will be discourses from his life, teachings and more than 1000 pots of bhoga will be offered to Srila Prabhupad at his Samadhi temple. More than 35000 people will be distributed MahaPrasadam.
Image: Sudarshan Pattnaik Twitter page
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