GUWAHATI: In the heart of Guwahati, India, and across the world, the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with fervour and gaiety. This joyous festival, dedicated to Lord Krishna’s appearance day, carries a deep spiritual message that resonates with devotees and seekers alike.
To celebrate Janmashtami, The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) began the pre-Janmashtami celebrations under the ISKCON Heritage Festival 2023 at the Sri Sri Rukmini-Krishna temple, Mount Hare Krishna, South Sarania, Ulubari, Guwahati. The festival included competitions for children, promoting spiritual knowledge and cultural values through Vedic Drawing, Krishna Bhajan performances, Vedic fancy dress, and Gita Sloka recitations.
Janmashtami symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, both within and around us. In a world often entangled with vices like anger, greed, temptation, and attachment, the birth of Lord Krishna signifies the dispelling of these negative forces, offering spiritual liberation from the fleeting pleasures of material life.
ISKCON guides seekers to delve into Lord Krishna’s teachings through texts such as the Srimad-Bhagavad Gita As It Is and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Interestingly, the scriptures reveal that Lord Krishna will return in the form of the “Kalki” incarnation. The Srimad Bhagavatam predicts Kalki’s arrival in Shambhala village, where Visnuyasaa, a renowned Brahmana, will witness this divine event.
Siksa Gurus at ISKCON emphasise the importance of refining Krishnatarian activities to showcase the rich and colourful cultural heritage of Guwahati to the global community.
ISKCON Founder and Spiritual Master His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada emphasises that the transcendental vibration of the Hare Krishna mantra is the sublime method to rekindle Krishna Consciousness within. He notes that anyone, regardless of qualifications, can partake in this transcendental sound vibration and experience ecstasy.
ISKCON Vice President His Grace Gaurdev Das envisions a world where practitioners of devotional service, guided by spiritual masters, come to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna.
Krishna Janmashtami, celebrated worldwide, underscores Lord Krishna’s allure as the all-attractive person and the dearest friend of humanity. Historically, this festival’s reach expanded globally through the efforts of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Starting in 1966 in New York, ISKCON now spans cities across the globe.
Devotees mark Janmashtami by fasting and staying awake until midnight, a significant hour when Lord Krishna is believed to have descended into the captivity of King Kamsa. At this moment, people gather to sing devotional songs, read scriptures, and celebrate with the placement of a cradle symbolizing Lord Krishna’s birth. This act symbolises the eradication of darkness and evil whenever they prevail on Earth.
