Ganesh Chaturthi

Celebrating the Birthday of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha - God of Wisdom

II  Shri Ganesha Shloka  II 
II  श्री गणेश शलोक II

vakratu.nDa mahaakaaya koTisuuryasamaprabha |
nirvighnaM kuru me deva sarvakaaryeshhu sarvadaa ||

---

II Meaning of  Shree Ganesha Shloka II
O God Ganesha [large bodied with a large belly], radiant as millions of Suns, Please, remove obstacles in all of my tasks, all the time

---

Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi, is the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom, prosperity and auspiciousness. 

Ganesh Chaturthi 2011 date is September 1, Thursday. Ganesha is today worshipped around the world and the Elephant-faced Hindu god is one of the most popular deities associated with Hinduism. Like symbol ‘Om’, Ganesha is slowly becoming the face of Hindu religion. The Ganapati Festival ends with the immersion [Visarjan] of the idol on Ananta Chaturdasi day - September 11, 2011.

Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth day after new moon in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada [August - Septembe].

Ganesha with Lord Shiva and
GoddessParvati

Ganesha is the remover of obstacle - Vighneshwara or Vignaraja – and is always invoked when Hindus are beginning a new enterprise. It is believed that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of clay and breathed life into him. Letting him stand guard at the door, Goddess Parvati went to have her bath. When her husband, Lord Shiva returned, the child who had never seen him stopped him. Ganesha did not allow Shiva to enter and finally an enraged Shiva severed the head of the child. Goddess Parvati returned to find her son dead and was distraught and asked Shiva to revive him. Shiva cut off the head of an elephant and fixed it on the body of Ganesha and giving birth to elephant-headed Ganesha. 

The Elephant-Headed Ganesha

There is also a story behind the symbolic snake, rat and the singular tusk. During one of his birthdays, His mother, Parvati, cooked for him twenty-one types of delicious food and a lot of sweet porridge. Ganesha ate so much that even his big belly could not contain it. Mounting his little mouse, he embarked on his nightly rounds. His mouse suddenly stumbled upon seeing a huge snake. To adjust His belly, Ganesha put the snake on as a belt around his stomach. All of a sudden, he heard laughter emanating form the sky.

Lord Gansha Riding His
Vehicle-Mouse

Lord Ganesha with  the Broken Tusk

He looked up and saw the moon mocking him. Ganesha infuriated, broke off one of his tusks and hurled it at the moon. Parvati, seeing this, immediately cursed the moon that whoever looks at it on Ganesh Chaturthi will be accused of a wrong doing. The symbology behind the mouse and snake and Ganesha's big belly and its relationship to the moon on his birthday is highly philosophic. The whole cosmos is known to be the belly of Ganesha. Parvati is the primordial energy. The seven realms above, seven realms below and seven oceans, are inside the cosmic belly of Ganesha, held together by the cosmic energy [kundalini] symbolized as a huge snake which Ganesha ties around Him. The mouse is nothing but our ego. Ganesha, using the mouse as a vehicle, exemplifies the need to control our ego. One who has controlled the ego has Ganesha consciousness or God-consciousness.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is one of the most colorful and widely celebrated festivals in India. Large number of people observe Ganesha Chaturthi poojas at home. Ganesha puja on the Chaturthi day is usually performed at noon.  

For some Delicious Recipes for Ganesh Chaturthi, you may visit my Recipe Corner by clicking the Links below:  


http://lrsrecipecorner.blogspot.com/2011/08/festival-recipes-ganesh-chaturthi.html

http://vaangasamaykalaam.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post.html

The priest, usually clad in red silk dhoti and shawl, then symbolically invokes life into the statue by chanting manras. This ritual is the Pranapratishhtha. After this the ritual called as Shhodashopachara [16 ways of paying tribute] follows. Coconut, jaggery, 21 modakas, 21 durva [trefoil] blades of grass and red flowers are offered. The statue is anointed with red unguent, typically made of kumkum and Sandalwood paste . Throughout the ceremony, Vedic hymns from the Rig Veda, the Ganapati Atharva Shirsha Upanishad, and the Ganesha stotra from the Narada Purana are chanted.

The number 21 signifies - the five organs of perception, five organs of action, five vital airs [pranas], five elements, and the mind. One must perform the puja with a clean body and clean mind. What is more important is devotion not the ritual. 

Lord Ganesh's favorite sweet is the Modakam [Kozhukattais]. These are like sweet steamed rice [flour] dumplings. It is customary to make these during this festival. They are very delicate and tender, in a shape of Modakam. In the north,  many Pedhas too are shaped like this and sold at this time in many Indian sweet stores. It does take practice to make this delicate dessert. The inside is filled with a coconut and jaggery filling. 

The Myth Behind Lord Ganesha

The primary problem of human beings is that we cannot forsee things that Lord Ganesha, the elephant-head Gods' speciality, is that he can foresee, both seen and unseen obstacles.

Large-Bellied God - Lord Ganesha

It is a known fact that the elephant is an animal that can process unra-sound[sound below 20 cycles per second].  This range is outside of the normal audible spectrum of humans.  The elephant and some other animals too are capable of this detection You will find that this was evident during the Tsunami of 2004, it was recorded that most animals in the coastal regions headed for the hills in advance of the wave, as they could seen the unseen.

The form of Lord Ganesha is depicted as an elephant with Big ears to symbolize that.  His prominent ears also denote that He listens to every single prayer of his devotees.

Mytho-historically, Lord Ganesha, although large-bellied and slow like an elephant, is known for His inelligence,  grasping situations in lightening speed and succeed with minimal effort.  A fine example of this is seen wherein Narada mischeviously testing the two sons of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi [Ganesh and Muruga].  

Narada with the Gift of Omnipotence-The Mango

Narada had produced a Mango, infused with powers of "Omnipotence or Unlimited Power".  

A contest was decided upon to determine who of Lord Ganesha and Muruga should receive the gift of "Omnipotence".  Narada approached the Divine Supreme family in their Abode in Kailash and said the Mango was a gift which should go to only one person.  It was decided that the brothers would race round the Universe and whoever came back first, would be the recipient of the Gift of Omnipotence.  While Lord Muruga, perched on His peacock went round the Universe with great strength and speed,  Lord Ganesha had only His little mouse, He instantly grasped the full reality of the situation and stood up and walked round His parents, Shiva and Parvati. Then Lord Ganesha bowed before them and requested the price.  Lord Muruga, who had just in that time, circled the Universe, returned to see Ganesha completing His bow.  

Ganesha Requesting the Mango from
His Parents

"What do you mean by requesting the Mango?", Lord Shiva asked of Ganesha.  Ganesha responded with a smile, " Is it not true that my Parents are the Universe itself?  Within Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati exists all that was and ever will be".  

The parents could not deny Ganesha and He was gifted he Divine Mango, infused with Omnipotence.

This mythology demonstrates the power embodied in Lord Ganesha.  Lord Ganesha can bless you with intellligence and the ability to be strategic.

The Fearless -Lord Ganesha

Ganesha is known to have braved even to fight His own father Lord Shiva  He is fearless.  The prime emotion that leads to all types of confusions, conflicts and failure is fear and Lord Ganesha removes Fear.  

Lord Ganesha balances the Muladhara Chakra which represents both extremes of the fear factor.  He stimulates intelligence, enhances your problem solving skills, stabilizes your emotions, removes obstacles and guides you to the path of success.  

Muladhara represents the Element Earth, therefore Clay Ganesha.  Statues and idols are made in clay and then rituals are performed to absorb your Karma into the statues.  They are then put into the sea where they dissolve.  This is a very powerful tantric ritual designed by the ancient scientists and Yogis.  

Since Lord Ganesh is the incarnation of the collective qualities inevitable to make a human being happy and successful, He is always ready to give it to anyone who asks Him for it.  

Dancing Lord Ganesha

It is a known fact that Lord Ganesha gives His blessings equally to both - intellectuals and the not so intellectual ones.  

A Mantra for Ganesha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2rFVPCSPE&feature=player_embedded

" Om GAM  Ganapataye Namaha"

Lord Ganesha - The "OM" Symbol

When you are in "GAM"...you are in connection with ultra-sound and everything happens effortlessly.  You get the capacity to do things without much effort.  Ganesha is an Effortless God .  When His brother Muruga mounted the Peacock and went round the world in the Mango competition, Ganesha won effortlessly with Wisdom. 

Any offering done on Ganesha Chaturthi eliminates problems either foreseen or unforeseen.  The Fourth Moon possesses special powers to remove stubborn Karmic effects in many areas in our life.  The nauture of the Fourh Moon is that of "destroying" , so Lord Ganesha utilises this day to intelligently desroy all obstacles that come our way.  

The Moon is the ruler of the Mind, and the Moon is not efficient enough on the Fourth Moon; so one should perform actions that will strengthen the positive mind and intelligence. Since all obstacles are created by the wrong mind, it is best that we all turn our mind to Lord Ganesha on His Birthday.

Lord Ganesha - The  "Sankata Harana"
and "Vighna Nivarana" God

He is known to one and all as "Vighna Nivarana" or "Remover of Hurdles" and  "Sankata Harana" or "Remover of Sorrows".  

Lord Ganesha, the Chief God for Knowledge and Wisdom, rules over the Planet Ketu, which is known as the first Planet, and also known to be the most powerful Planet among the Nine Planets. Ketu governs Wisdom or "Jnana".  

Wisdom no doubt comes after proper understanding of your experiences, and not simply with the accumulation of knowledge.  Errors in the course of action could be wasted by dwelling on them, but Wisdom is learning the lesson in the mistake.  Ketu gives you this Wisdom and helps you to work through your Karmas intelligently.  

Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathy Swamigal, the former Sankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt has cited " that Ganesha re-invents Himself and comes down as a new incarnation in every Yuga according to the thought patterns of the humans that prevail during that particular epoch.  In this Kali Yuga, it is he "Naramuga Ganesha" who is the most powerful, because He is the Ganesha for this Age!  

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations

The Ganesh Chatruthi Celebrations
and Procession

The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and many other parts of India. Started by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the great Maratha ruler, to promote culture and nationalism, the festival was revived by Lokmanya Tilak [freedom fighter] to spread the message of freedom struggle and to defy the British who had banned public assemblies. The festival gave the Indians a feeling of unity and revived their patriotic spirit and faith. This public festival formed the background for political leaders who delivered speeches to inspire people against the Western rule. The festival is so popular that the preparations begin months in advance.  

Lok manya Tilak-
The Freedom Fighter

Tilak also sought to have all the immersions take place on the tenth and final day. Since then this festival just like the many other Indian festivals that are celebrated with pomp and show, is an extraordinary testimony to the public place of religion in Indian life.

Artists giving the Final Touches
to Ganesha Idols

Artists in the making of Ganesha Idols

Ganesha statues are installed in street corners and in homes, and elaborate arrangements are made for lighting, decoration, mirrors and the most common of flowers. Pujas are performed daily. The artists who make the idols of Ganesha compete with each other to make bigger and more magnificent and elegant idols. The relevantly larger ones are anything from 10 meters to 30 meters in height. These statues are then carried on decorated floats to be immersed in the sea after one, three, five, seven and ten days. Thousands of processions converge on the beaches to immerse the holy idols in the sea. This procession and immersion is accompanied by drum-beats, devotional songs and dancing.

"Visarjan" - Immersion in the Sea on
Ananta Chaturdasi Day

Chanting - "Ganapati Bappa Morya"

The Ganapati Festival ends with the immersion [Visarjan] of the idol on Ananta Chaturdasi day. Here is the Video of this grand finale to the Ganesh Chaturthi Festival:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=xudHgZB8noA&vq=small#t=182  

It is still forbidden to look at the moon on that day as the moon had laughed at Ganesha when he fell from his vehicle, the rat. With the immersion of the idol amidst the chanting of "Ganesh Maharaj Ki Jai!" [Hail Lord Ganesh]. The festival ends with pleas to Ganesha to return the next year with chants of.......

"Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya"- meaning, "Hail Lord Ganesh, return again soon next year".

" HAPPY GANESH CHATURTHI"

Janmashtami Festival

This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanthi, Ashtami Rohini, Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami

Lord Krishna - Janmashtami

Sri Krishna Jayanti is observed as Dahi Handi in Maharashtra, the formation of the huge human pyramids to break the pot hung high up. The festival is also known as Gokulashtami and Krishnashtami.

The Mischievous Baby- Lord Krishna

In 2011, Sri Krishna Jayanti is marked on August 21 in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and is some parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. In North India, it is marked on August 22. The Smarta Tradition observes the festival on August 21 and the Vaishnava Tradition on August 22.

The Young, Enchanting Krishna

Young Krishna stealing Butter

Lord Krishna

In North India, Shri Krishna Janmashtami is observed eight days after the full moon day in Hindi month Bhadrapada [August – September]. In South India, the festival is observed on the eighth day after full moon in the month of Shravan [August – September].

The Enchanting Lord Krishna with Flute

Lord Krishna's enchanting form with flute in hand is worshipped in myriads of homes in India. The women draw patterns of little children's feet outside the house in Southern India to symbolize Little Krishna entering every room to bless it. Varieties of sweets are made during this occasion. Among them, laddus and payasam are the most common sweets.
For some delightful Recipes to be prepared on this Janmashtami Day, you may view my Website mentioned below: 
  http://lrsrecipecorner.blogspot.com/2011/08/festival-recipes-janmashtami-krishna.html


The festival is observed by fasting on the previous day, which is broken only at midnight, the time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Lord Krishna during this festival. At Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the birth place of Lord Krishna, special spiritual gatherings are organised at this time. Pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings.

The devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate this festival with great pomp and gaiety in Krishna temples. Some of the famous Krishna temples in South India are Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur, Sri Krishna Temple at Udupi and ISKON temples.

Celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna

Sri Krishna Jayanti marks the celebration of the birth of Bhagavan Sri Krishna.  Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on Ashtami day.  The festival Sri Krishna Jayanti is also known as Gokulashtami and Janmashtami.  The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day.  This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar.

Lord Krishna with a pot of Butter

According to traditional sources, theJanmashtami is observed on the day when the ashtami tithi occurs at midnight. If the ashtami tithi AND the Rohini nakshatra occur on the same day, then the observance is considered to be doubly sacred; otherwise the observance is held on the day on which the ashtami prevails at midnight.  The vratam mainly consists of fasting, spending the whole night in the worship of Krishna, reciting hymns of praise and Krishna's pastimes, reciting prayers from the Bhagavata,  offering arghya to Krishna, and the parana or the ceremonial breaking of the fast.  The next day is  celebrated as  Krishna Jayanti.

Celebrations are held on a grand scale in all Krishna temples,  especially the ones in Vrindavan,Mathura [Uttar Pradesh], Dvaraka [Gujarat], and other regionally famous temples.

Sri Krishna as Lord Vishnu

Sri Krishna is Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar [incarnation] on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnations.  Even saying and remembering His name brings joy because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy at all levels and in all walks of life.  No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna.

Lord Krishna in all His Splendour

Since Sri Krishna lived in luxury throughout his life, Sri Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendor. Plenty of sweets are made. Among these are laddus, cheedai, Appam, payasam (kheer), and so on. In addition, plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, are given in offerings. A wide variety of fruits are also offered. The most common sweets made laddus and payasam.

Lord Krishna and His many Leelas

Great indeed are his many Leelas and the way in which he charms one and all.  Several sages and seers have paid homage to him. Narada, Sri Kulashekara Azhwar, Andal, Tirumangai Azhawar, Nammazhwar have sung glorious verses in praise of Lord Krishna who embodies Shudda Satvam. The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many Acharyas and Azhwars.

Lord Krishna

The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviours and propounders of Dharma. Born in the dungeons of Kamsa who was out to kill him at the very moment of his birth, Sri Krishna's life is replete with many such mortal dangers which he successfully triumphs over.  He was the unchallenged hero of his times both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance.

Vasudeva Carrying Krishna

The story of how he killed, one after another, all the demonic adversaries - Pootanaa, Shakata, Agha, Dhenuka, Baka, Keshi and a number of others - even in his infancy, signalled the advent of a peerless saviour of mankind. He also liquidated the wicked kings like Kamsa and Shishupala and got vanquished the terrorizing Jaraasandha and Kaalayavana. His role in the historic Kurukshetrawar in humbling the arrogant and despotic Kauravas and crowning the just and noble Paandavas, finally earned him the unchallenged position of Dharma Samshaapaka - the establisher of Dharma.

A striking feature of his character was his supreme detachment to power. Though he had personally destroyed many an evil ruler, he never coveted those kingdoms for himself. He installed the next of king as the rightful heirs in those places. And he himself remained utterly simple and unassuming till the very last. After the killing of Kamsa, he chose for himself a menial task like the receptionist at the court of Ugrasena whom he himself had installed as the king of Mathura. Himself a king and known all over the land as the mightiest and the wisest on the face of the earth, he however mixed freely with one and all. He embraced his old, poor friend Sudaama and ate with extreme relish the dry beaten rice offered by him and left him endowed with rich presents.

Lord Krishna in the Nandagokula

Krishna with Balrama and other
cowherd Boys

This was indeed a wonderfully rare, inborn trait with him. He mingled freely with the cowherd boys and girls in the Nandagokula and they loved him more than their life for his charming manners and heroic exploits. he subdued Kaaliya, the dreaded seven-headed King Cobra. Once he protected the Nandagokula against the wrath of Indra himself. Indra, growing jealous of Krishna's superiority, had brought down rains in torrents and the entire area was threatened by deluge. Sri Krishna called his cowherd playmates and asked them to apply their little fingers to the adjoining Govardhana mountain and raise it up - he himself taking the major burden.

The Powers of Lord Krishna

It was a wonderful sight when the mountain went up and acted as an umbrella over the Nandagokula. Indra conceded defeat and Krishna's unchallenged superiority was established. How beautifully the story depicts Krishna as a born organizer of men who could inspire even boys with a high purpose and for superhuman efforts!

The towering genius of Sri Krishna lies in a particularly baffling aspect of his personality. This relates to some of his apparently outrageous violations of the prescribed code of conduct. A strange anecdote in his life helps us to unravel this enigma. When all the children of Paandavas were killed by Ashwatthaama and even the child in the womb of Uttara, the wife Abhimanyu, was killed by him, Sri Krishna came forward to save the progeny of Paadavas by breathing life back into that still born child. Sri Krishna's utterance at that moment makes strange reading: "May this child come to life, if I have observed brahmacharya, if I have stuck to truth and if my wealth of virtues has never diminished." And of course, the child came to life and became the future king of Bharatavarsha, Parikshita. Sri Krishna had indeed uttered falsehoods so many times, had broken his pledges, had wives and even `married' 16,000 ladies! But still none of these actions violated the truth of his statement. The inference is that he did all these actions in a spirit of supreme detachment, motivated only with the highest goal of safeguarding Dharma.

Lord Krishna -Protector of the Good and
Destroyer of the Unholy

Sri Krishna himself often affirms this role of his while he explains to Arjuna the intricacies of the highest spiritual philosophy. At one place he says that he was engaged incessantly in worldly actions only for the welfare and sustenance of society, though he himself had no need or desire to be satisfied by the society. On another occasion he assures that he would take birth whenever Dharma declines and Adharma rises its ugly head. He declares his role as the protector of the good and the holy and the destroyer of the unholy and the wicked, and as the establisher of righteousness.

Sriman Narayana Manifested
in Sri Krishna

The parabramhan as Sriman Narayana was manifested in Sri Krishna - the adorable son of Devakiand Vasudeva. The word Krishna itself refers to the causal force of all divine and joyful works [Sarva devata karyam karoti iti va Krishnaha]. At the same time, Krishna also refers to the causal force which destroys the demonic energies and removes ignorance [Daityan karshayati iti va Krishnaha]

Lord Krishna - Bhakthi and Jnaana
Personified

Sri Krishna personified in himself all the various Divine Paths - the Bhakti, the Jnaana and theKarma to reach the highest goal of God-realization. And his personal example gave authority to the great gospel he preached to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is said of Bhagavadgita, "The Upanishads are the Cow, Krishna the milker, Partha the calf, and nectar of Gita, the milk." No other scriptural text propounds all the various paths to Divinity in such a profound and yet so concise and easily intelligible manner to the commoner as the Bhagavadgita. The setting of the Gita is also wonderfully unique, Kurukshetra representing the eternal battlefield in the human soul.

Bhagavat Gita and Lord Krishna

With all his superhuman qualities and achievements, Sri Krishna never appeared distant to any of his fellow human beings. In fact he was dearer to them than their own nearest kith and kin. He was ideal in all his human relationships - a darling son to his parents, an endearing friend and comrade, a devoted disciple, a loving husband and a trusted brother. The shadow of his greatness never marred these bonds of the heart.

Lord Krishna the Supreme-Divine Teacher 

Lord Krishna - Gajendra Moksham 

Lord Krishna's Awe-inspiring
Vishwaroopam

After preaching the sublime teachings of Bhagavadgita and manifesting his awe-inspiringVishwaroopam to Arjuna, he remained his bosom friend as ever before.  That was his unique trait even as a tiny tot. Once, Yashoda - the foster-mother - learnt that her child Krishna had eaten mud. She was alarmed and asked him to open his mouth. 

The Illuminated Universe in the mouth
of Young Lord Krishna

But when Krishna did so, she was stunned to see illuminated universes dancing in the little cavity of his mouth. However, her shock of coming face to face with Divinity Incarnate did not last long. Again, the child Krishna cast his spell with his mischievousness, and remained the adored child of Yashoda as before.

Lord  Krishna -The much-Ardored Child
of Yashoda

Sri Krishna Jayanti, therefore, signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine Teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose.

Krishna with Lord Brahma

Krishna represents the total power of attraction [Aakarshna Shakti] like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy.  Any festival in the Hindu context generally has three aspects namely philosophical, religious and cultural. The integration of the three gives spiritual joy.

All Powerful - Lord Krishna

The philosophical aspects deal with the knowledge of the personality behind the festival, Sri Krishna, who is Sanatana Dharma itself. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning and purpose of life. The great Bhishma in Vishnu Sahasranama [the 1000 names of Vishnu] relates the attributes of Vishnu in front of Sri Krishna, as both Vishnu and Krishna are essentially one and the same.

Janmashtami - Worshipping Lord Krishna

The religious aspects deal with the ritualistic details: the corresponding worship, chanting and recitation. Sri Krishna's idol is formally worshipped through Vedic chanting and stotras or hymns. Since Lord Krishna was born at midnight, symbolizing light dispelling darkness, the worshipping is done in the late evening hours. The mantapam or structure built to house the Lord, is elaborately decorated with fruits, and flowers together with lots of eatables, representing sensory joy.

Lord Krishna - the Omni-present

The cultural aspects are represented by the traditionally dressed devotees. The raas or dance is also done with devotees taking part with spiritual fervor.  Sri Krishna who manifests all levels of joy, is also the source of spiritual joy, which overrides mental or emotional joy, just as emotional joy overrides physical joy. If all the three are integrated and interdependent, then the observance of the festival takes on the full meaning of Sri Krishnaarpanamastu - let everything be offered to Sri Krishna.


On this Janmashtami Day, let us all celebrate the Birth of Lord krishna .....


....the Lord  Krishna who is eternal, all-knowing, omnipresent, all-powerful, and all-attractive.

HAPPY JANMASHTAMI