FESTIVALS

Sharad Purnima marks the autumn full moon and celebrates Lord Krishna's divine “rasa-lila” with the gopis of Vrindavan, His most beloved devotees. On this auspicious night, devotees gather for a special darshan of the Deities, beautifully adorned with exquisite outfits, ornaments and fresh flower garlands amidst an atmosphere inspired by moonlit Vrindavan, filled with flowers, devotion and melodious kirtan.

The sacred Month of Damodara, also known as Kartik, is a special time to deepen love and devotion to Lord Krishna. During this holiest of months, devotees worship Krishna in His childhood form as Damodara, the mischievous child lovingly bound at the waist by Mother Yashoda. Each morning and evening, devotees can offer ghee lamps while singing heartfelt prayers before the Lord.

Govardhan Puja commemorates Lord Krishna's pastime of lifting Govardhan Hill on His little finger for seven days to protect the residents of Vrindavana from the torrential rains sent by Indra. Devotees celebrate this event by offering a magnificent feast arranged as Govardhan Hill, worshipping Krishna as Giridhari, honouring Govardhan Hill and the cows dear to Him, and sharing the blessed prasadam.

The magnificent Sri Sri Radha-Madhava Temple serves as a centre of Krishna Consciousness in the heart of Bhiwandi, an industrial town on the outskirts of Thane (20kms outside of Mumbai). Home to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Madhava, Sri Sri Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra, and Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, the temple has become a vibrant beacon of Bhakti, inspiring devotees from Bhiwandi and beyond.

Gita Jayanti commemorates the day Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra over 5,000 years ago. Revered as the essence of Vedic wisdom, the Bhagavad-Gita, meaning "The Lord's Song," presents timeless teachings for the benefit of all humanity. On this sacred day, devotees gather to recite all 700 verses, remembering this divine conversation between the Lord and His dear devotee.