🌸 Jhulan Utsav – The Divine Swing Festival of Radha-Krishna 🌸
Every year, in the auspicious month of Shravan, the air fills with fragrance, the temples come alive with colorful decorations, and the hearts of devotees overflow with loving anticipation. It is the time of Jhulan Yatra – the Swing Festival of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna, a celebration of Their divine love and playful pastimes.
✨ What is Jhulan Yatra?
Jhulan Yatra is a five-day festival (sometimes celebrated longer), commemorating the monsoon season in Vrindavan when Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna would joyfully swing together in the lush groves of Vrindavan, lovingly pushed by the gopis. This festival is beautifully described in various Gaudiya Vaishnava scriptures and songs by acharyas like *Srila Rupa Goswami, **Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura, and *Bhaktivinoda Thakura.
In the rainy season, the forests of Vrindavan become especially enchanting — filled with the sound of peacocks, blooming flowers, and a cool breeze. Krishna, the ever-playful Lord, invites Radharani and the gopis to sit on a festively decorated swing (jhulan), and with His enchanting smile, He engages in Their transcendental pleasure pastimes.
🌿 Pastime
Once, Srimati Radharani was seated on the Jhulan and Krsna was pushing the swing very gently. Suddenly Krsna put so much force in pushing the swing that Srimati Radharani became fearful and started crying out, “O Krsna, save Me, save Me!” That transcendental trickster Sri Krsna climbed on the swing and She firmly embraced Him, giving Him so much pleasure. Why so much pleasure? Because normally He has to do so many tricks so that Radharani will embrace Him, but in this instance She embraced Him out of Her own will, without much effort on His part. Therefore He is so fond of these swing pastimes.
🧘♀ Meditations on Sri Jhulan Yatra in Sri Vrindavan Dham
The Jhulan time is very intense. In general the Shravana masha have an exceptional mood, it is raining all the time, Yamuna Mayi became very wide, flooded and there is a fresh atmosphere for devotees who move daily to worship and take the lila-darshan which is performed in diverse temples in Vrindavan.
🎉 Celebrations at ISKCON Raichur
At ISKCON Raichur, Jhulan Utsav is celebrated with deep devotion and festive grandeur. Here’s what you can experience:
- 🌺 Daily Jhulan Darshan: Beautifully adorned Deities of *Sri Sri Radha Krishna are placed on a specially decorated swing in the temple courtyard, surrounded by fragrant flowers, colorful lights, and forest-like décor.
- 🎶 Melodious Kirtans and Bhajans: Uplifting kirtans led by devotees, singing traditional Vaishnava bhajans like *“Jaya Jaya Radha-Krishna Yugala Milana”, immerse everyone in transcendental bliss.
- 🙇♂ Devotee Participation: Devotees lovingly swing the Lordships, offering flowers and heartfelt prayers while meditating on the loving mood of the Vraja-gopis.
- 🍛 Special Prasadam: Delicious festive prasadam is distributed to all attendees, sanctified by the Lord’s glance during the swing.
- 📜 Lila-Katha and Remembrances: Daily narrations of Jhulan pastimes from scriptures like the Govinda-lilamrita and Krishna Bhavanamrita to nourish the heart with transcendental remembrance.
💖 Mood of Devotion
This festival is not just a cultural event — it is an invitation to deepen our relationship with Radha and Krishna. By offering our service in decorating, singing, swinging, or simply being present with a prayerful heart, we get the rare opportunity to enter Their eternal pastimes in Vrindavan.
Srila Prabhupada writes in the Nectar of Devotion:
“In the month of Śrāvaṇa (July-August), there is a ceremony called Jhulan-yātrā, when Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa are seated on a swing, and all the devotees sing in glorification of the loving pastimes of the Lord.”
🙌 Join the Festival!
Come, participate in this divine celebration with your family and friends at ISKCON Raichur. Let us together relive the eternal pastimes of Radha and Krishna, and receive Their merciful blessings.
To offer seva, click 👇🏻
https://give.iskconraichur.com
Seva Opportunities:
- 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/-
“Come swing the Lord with love… and let Him swing your heart into Goloka Vrindavan!”