Celebrating the Divine Appearance of Lord Krishna
Janmashtami is one of the most joyous and spiritually uplifting festivals celebrated worldwide by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It marks the divine appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna, who descended over 5,000 years ago in Mathura to protect devotees, annihilate evil forces, and re-establish dharma.
Who is Lord Krishna? A Brief Biography
According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead—Svayam Bhagavan. Unlike ordinary births, His appearance is transcendental and fully divine.
- Birth: Krishna appeared at midnight in the prison of Kamsa, King of Mathura. His parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, witnessed His four-armed divine form before He became a charming baby.
- Childhood in Vrindavan: Raised by Nanda Maharaj and Mother Yashoda, Krishna displayed enchanting pastimes—stealing butter, playing with the cowherd boys, and protecting villagers from demons.
- Youth and Pastimes: Krishna lifted Govardhana Hill, danced on the serpent Kaliya, and played His flute to captivate the hearts of the gopis.
- Later Life: Krishna became the charioteer of Arjuna and spoke the Bhagavad-gita, the timeless guide to life, devotion, and self-realization.
Why We Celebrate Janmashtami
- To Remember Krishna’s Divine Mission
Krishna descends to protect devotees, destroy evil, and re-establish righteousness. His life teaches courage, compassion, and devotion. - To Reawaken Devotion (Bhakti)
Festivals like Janmashtami purify our hearts and remind us of our eternal relationship with Krishna. - To Follow Srila Prabhupada’s Vision
The Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, spread Krishna consciousness globally and encouraged Janmashtami celebrations as a way for everyone to come closer to God.
Spiritual Benefits of Celebrating Janmashtami
- Purification of Heart: Chanting Krishna’s holy names and hearing His pastimes remove material desires.
- Inner Joy and Peace: Devotion to Krishna replaces stress with spiritual happiness.
- Strengthening Faith: Remembering Krishna’s pastimes deepens our understanding of life’s purpose.
- Blessings for Families: Offering service together—decorating, cooking prasadam, or attending kirtan—brings harmony to the home.
- Liberation from Karma: Scriptures assure that anyone who remembers Krishna on Janmashtami attains His divine mercy.
Highlights of ISKCON Janmashtami Celebrations
- Grand Abhisheka (Deity Bathing Ceremony): Radha-Krishna Deities are bathed with milk, honey, ghee, yogurt, and fruit juices amidst kirtan.
- Colorful Decorations: Temples glow with flowers, rangolis, lights, and swings depicting Krishna’s childhood pastimes.
- Non-stop Kirtan and Bhajan: Devotees chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra throughout the day and night.
- Dramas and Cultural Performances: Youth enact Krishna’s enchanting stories to inspire all generations.
- Midnight Maha-Arati: As Krishna appeared at midnight, this sacred moment is honored with jubilant arati, conch blowing, and congregational chanting.
- Festive Prasadam: Thousands of guests receive sanctified vegetarian food prepared with love and devotion.
What Is Krishna Janmashtami’s Fasting Method?
Fasting on Sri Krishna Janmashtami is an important spiritual practice for devotees worldwide. In the tradition of Guru, Krishna, and Shastra, fasting is not merely an external ritual—it is an offering of love, an austerity performed to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna.
Purpose of Fasting
The true goal of fasting is to minimize bodily demands and maximize spiritual focus. By reducing attention on eating, devotees can dedicate more time to hearing Krishna’s glories, chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and remembering His divine pastimes.
Recommended Fasting Standards
- Highest standard: Complete fasting from both food and water until midnight, the sacred hour of Lord Krishna’s appearance.
- If complete fasting is not possible: Take only water until midnight.
- If even water fasting is difficult: Accept only fruits, roots, and milk products—or light non-grain prasadam prepared and offered to Krishna.
⚠️ Important Restriction: No grains, no beans, and no prohibited vegetables should be taken on Janmashtami.
Breaking the Fast
Devotees usually fast until midnight and then break the fast with a simple offering (sankalpa), traditionally fruits, roots, and milk. This ensures the day remains fully centered on Krishna, free from the distractions of heavy eating.
Spiritual Essence
Fasting is not about hardship—it is an act of devotion. By voluntarily reducing material comfort, we deepen our remembrance of Krishna and intensify our chanting of His holy names:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
When done with the right consciousness, fasting on Janmashtami becomes a joyful offering, helping us experience Krishna’s mercy more vividly.
The Eternal Message of Janmashtami
Krishna’s birth is not an ordinary event—it is an invitation. Srila Prabhupada explained that Krishna appears to call us back to our real home, the spiritual world, through bhakti-yoga, the path of devotion.
“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice… I descend Myself to protect the devotees, annihilate the miscreants, and reestablish dharma.”
(Bhagavad-gita 4.7–8)
By chanting the holy names —
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
— anyone can feel Krishna’s presence and receive His mercy.
Join the Festival!
We warmly invite you, your family, and friends to join us in celebrating Balarama Purnima at ISKCON Raichur.
👉 To offer seva, click here: give.iskconraichur.com
Seva Opportunities:
- Go-Seva – ₹1,008/-
- Deity Garland Seva – ₹5,008/-
- Deity Night Dress Seva – ₹10,008/-
- Chappan Bhog Seva – ₹15,008/-
- Flower Decoration – ₹30,008/-
- Temple Hall Decoration – ₹50,008/-
- Maha Prasadam Seva – ₹75,008/-
Srila Prabhupada Writes in a Letter:
“Our movement is for ananda, simply bliss, and the method of pushing this movement is chanting, dancing, feasting and philosophizing. So in our almanac there are many festivals in every month.”
(Letter dated 15 July 1969, Los Angeles)
Visit ISKCON This Janmashtami
ISKCON temples worldwide warmly welcome everyone to participate in this divine celebration—regardless of background or belief. Whether you attend the midnight arati, listen to discourses, offer a lamp, or simply bow before Krishna, you will leave spiritually uplifted and blissful.
✨ Celebrate Janmashtami with ISKCON Raichur—experience the joy of devotion, the beauty of kirtan, and the unlimited mercy of Lord Krishna!
Hare Krishna!