GRAND JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS ACROSS SUB CITY

Janmashtami, the vibrant Hindu festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, holds profound significance in the spiritual and cultural fabric of India. Celebrated with immense enthusiasm and devotion, it commemorates the arrival of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, who is revered for his divine playfulness, wisdom and teachings. This year, the festival's celebrations across the city have been nothing short of spectacular, reflecting the deep-rooted devotion and cultural richness of the community. 

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami, is observed on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Shravana (July-August) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The festival holds great spiritual significance as it marks the birth of Lord Krishna in the prison cell of King Kamsa of Mathura. Devotees believe that Krishna's birth was a divine intervention to restore dharma (righteousness) and defeat adharma (evil). The festival celebrates not just his birth but also his divine play (leelas), his role in the epic Mahabharata, and his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita. The sub-city's Janmashtami celebrations have been marked by grandeur and devotion, with societies and temples showcasing its unique traditions and festivities. In many societies children decorated jhula and jhanki of Janamashtami. From grand pandals and elaborate decorations to soulful kirtans and community gatherings, the festival was a testament to the enduring legacy of Lord Krishna and the unifying power of devotion. As devotees came together to celebrate, the essence of Janmashtami -marked by joy, devotion and spiritual enrichment- was vividly experienced across the city.

Here's a tour of Janamashtami Celebrations-

Goluk Dham Mandir, Sector 10- Janmashtami celebration was a grand event at Golok Dham Mandir. The temple was beautifully transformed with Shri Radha Krishna highlighting through captivating decorations. The mandir was adorned with exquisite decorations, cradles, and jhankis to celebrate Baby Krishna's arrival. The premises were lit with vibrant lights, and a stage with a large LED screens broadcasted programs to enhance the festive mood until midnight, culminating in Abhishek, Balkrishna aarti, and other celebrations.

ISKCON Temple, Sector 13 - As usual, Janmashtami at ISKCON Dwarka was a grand event. A large pandal was set up to accommodate a huge gathering. Celebrations spanned on August 25th and 26th, featuring performances by children from various schools and societies, including songs, dances, and skits centered on Krishna. There were kirtan, discourses, and various programs.

Sri Radha Krishna Mandir- Sri Krishan Janmashtami Mahotsav was celebrated with enthusiasm at Sri Radha Krishna Mandir at Phase 2, HAF-3, Sector 19B, Dwarka on 26th August. There was a cultural programme that started at 6 pm. Krishna Leela was staged by artists. After the programme, Dandiya Raas and holi of flowers were played at 10 pm. Aarti and prasad were distributed at 12 am.

New Jai Bharat Apartment- Durgiana Mandir in New Jai Bharat Society, Sector-4, Dwarka was decorated. Pooja and Kirtan was held from 9.00 pm and arti at 12.00 night to celebrate Janmashtami. Members of the society participated with full enthusiasm.

Dwarka Kalibari - Dwarka Kalibari was abuzz with hundreds of devotees who braved the storm to celebrate Janmashtami. Despite the heavy rain and strong winds, the devotees gathered to pay their respects and wish Lord Sri Krishna a happy birthday. Their dedication and devotion were truly inspiring! The celebrations included a puja and havan, followed by the distribution of prasad and bhog among the attendees. On the eve of Janmashtami, community Bhandara, was organized by Dwarka Kalibari as part of KSR activities. Says Jayanta Kumar Ghosh, “We are grateful for the support of our devotees, who generously contribute to make these events possible. This time, nine devotees came forward to be a part of this special occasion. Their kindness and willingness to share their joy with the community are what make these events truly special. We thank them for their contributions and look forward to many more such gatherings.”

Dwarkadheesh Temple, Sector 12 - The Janmashtami festivities at Sector-12 Temple was celebrated with great enthusiasm. A magnificent jhanki and crib were on display. Mahant Bhagwan Pandit shared that there was jagran from 7 pm to 1 am. The evening included a grand darbar featuring Shankar Parvati, Radha Krishna, and Bahubali Hanuman. At night, prasad distribution offered 56 types of bhog along with makhan mishri, dhaniya, fruits and charanamrit. The police assisted to ensure the smooth execution of the event.

Ashirwad Apartment, Sector-12: On 26th August, the residents of Ashirwad Apartment celebrated Janmasthmi with religious fervor. The complex was transformed into a colourful spectacle with elaborate decorations, including traditional rangolis, twinkling lights, and beautifully adorned tableaus depicting scenes from Krishna’s life. A special story shared during the event was about a family who, every Janmashtami, offers tribute to the beloved “Makhan Chor” (Butter Thief). This year also they carried on the tradition, bringing smiles to everyone present. Children dressed as little Krishnas and Radhas added charm to the festivities, parading around the courtyard with innocence and joy. The event concluded with an Aarti and distribution of Prasad, leaving everyone with hearts full of devotion and spirits uplifted.

Needo-celebrate Divine Mischief- Global Centre for Needonomics based on Gita is blessed to extend warm wishes for a very happy Krishan Janmashtami to the readers of Dwarka City!

On this auspicious occasion, Prof .M.M.Goel, Vice-Chancellor and resident of Prabha Apartments share one such alluring pastime of Shree Krishan with Mother Yashoda, for our readers to relish and deepen their sadhana.

One day, Mother Yashoda urged her mischievous little Krishan to focus on studying the sacred scriptures. She lovingly explained that by gaining knowledge of God, He would develop detachment from the material world and immerse Himself in devotion.

But the young Krishan showed no interest in acquiring knowledge or seeking liberation. Instead, He simply declared that He was hungry and wanted some butter. Yashoda, a bit annoyed, decided to teach Him a lesson. She locked Him in the cellar, hoping this would make Him understand the importance of her words. In her simplicity, Yashoda locked Krishan in the room where the butter was stored! It took Krishan only a moment to realize His fortunate situation. He eagerly toddled over to the butter pot and began eating while keeping a cautious eye on the door in case His mother returned. Yashoda soon felt guilty about reprimanding her precious darling. She returned to the cellar and saw Krishan with butter smeared all over His hands and face. When questioned, Krishan explained that His bracelets were so heavy that His hands had begun to burn, and He was merely cooling them in the butter pot. As for the butter on His face, He claimed that He had only been pushing away His curly hair with His buttery hands. In this way, Krishan lies to get out of a difficult situation. Mother Yashoda is charmed by His innocent mischief yet worried about the future of her beloved Son!

The story for us implies that we must churn our minds to become like butter, so that Krishan may steal us away, allowing us to become one with Him as mandated by the Needonomics School of Thought. This Janmashtami, our family came together to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna with traditional fervor. We started the day by fasting until midnight, the auspicious time of Krishna's birth. The highlight was the jhulan (swing) ceremony, where we placed a small idol of Krishna on a beautifully decorated swing, and sang devotional songs as we gently rocked it. Our kitchen was abuzz with the preparation of delicious sweets like makhan mishri and panjiri, which we offered to Krishna and later enjoyed together. The day was a blend of spiritual reflection and joyful celebration, reminding us of the values of love, compassion, and divine playfulness that Krishna embodies.

Bal Vihar - On 26th August, 2024, the children of Bal Vihar came together to celebrate Sri KrishnaJanmashtami with immense dedication and enthusiasm. The event was marked by a series of vibrant cultural activities, including devotional songs, traditional dances and the reenactment of Krishna's childhood stories. The children, dressed as little Krishnas and Radhas, brought the spirit of the festival alive with their heartfelt performances. The highlight of the celebration was the Dahi Handi event, where the children enthusiastically participated in breaking the pot, symbolizing Lord Krishna's playful nature. Wing Com. Kapoor, Director says, “The event was a resounding success, reflecting the commitment of Bal Vihar to instil spiritual values and cultural traditions in the younger generation.”

Aradhana Nrutya Kendra- In a vibrant celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, students from Aradhana Nrutya Kendra captivated the audience with their enchanting performances at the Radhakrishna Mandir, Sector 19, Dwarka. The event, held on 26th August 2024, was a grand display of devotion, culture and talent. The students, trained under the expert guidance of their instructors, performed a series of classical and folk dances that beautifully depicted the life and teachings of Lord Krishna. Their graceful movements, combined with expressive storytelling, brought the mythological tales of Krishna’s childhood, his playful antics, and his divine love for Radha to life on stage. Speaking on the occasion, the director of Aradhana Nrutya Kendra, expressed immense pride in the students’ performances and said, "Our students have worked hard to prepare for this day, and their dedication is evident in their performances. It's heartening to see them bring the stories of Lord Krishna to life through their dance. We are grateful to the Radhakrishna Mandir for providing this platform to showcase our students' talents on such an auspicious day."

Radha Krishna Temple, Sector-16-B: Janmashtmi was celebrated in Radha Krishna temple with great pomp 16-B, Dwarka. Children of the pocket mesmerized gathering with their art, folk dances. Madhav  Pandey, Media In-charge, Purvanchal Federation Delhi Pradesh informs that Dr. Manish Kumar Singh, Director Arya Hospital, Janakpuri, MP, Smt. Kamaljeet Sahrawat, councilor Ramnivas were present as guests.