August 16, 2006
USA & Canada
The North American Mahila Mandal celebrated Janmashtami, the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Bhagwan Krishna on August 16th 2006, at all mandirs across North America. The Janmashtami festivities were celebrated through various devotional and cultural presentations.
The theme of the Samaiyo "Bhaktavatsal Hari Birud Tihaaro" demonstrated that Bhagwan has unconditional love and affection for His devotees and that He appears on this earth in person to protect His devotees whenever they are in distress due to Adharma. Thus, Bhagwan comes upon earth during various eras to eradicate Adharma and re-establish Dharma.
The celebrations commenced in each center with deep pragyatya, stuti, dhoon, prarthana followed by devotional kirtans accompanied by classical Indian instruments such as the sitar, tabla, and harmonium.The audiences were then taken back in time where Shukdevji explained that the shrushti has four eras namely, Sat yug, Treta yug, Dwaapar yug and Kal yug. Each yug was portrayed through various skits, dances and presentations. The characters of Prahlaad, Ahalya, Draupadi, Jiva Sindhav and Chaaran Bhakt were staged out demonstrating each yug. These skits delivered the message that God is always protecting his devotees. The young women and girls performed beautifully choreographed dances adding rhythmic flare to the festivities. In addition to this many centers also performed Krishnaleela, Raas-garba, Kirtan Aardhana. Many dignitaries graced the celebration including Senator Radogno in Chicago. The celebration ended with video blessings of Param Pujya Pramukh Swami Maharaj