Shri Krishna Bhagwan is one of the most revered deities for Hindus around the world. He manifested on earth thousands of years ago on the Hindu calendrical day of Shravan Vad 8. This year, that day fell on Monday 30 August.
His birth anniversary was celebrated at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London with a host of devotional festivities including a ceremonial offering of food (the ‘annakut’), singing, chanting, discourses from swamis, and an arti signifying Shri Krishna’s holy birth.
The festivities began with darshan for worshippers from the morning, providing an opportunity for private worship throughout the day in line with the current health protocols for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The festival was further celebrated through an online evening assembly which included Krishna Lila – a musical production of colourful dances depicting the divine life of Shri Krishna Bhagwan. Swamis expanded on these enlightening episodes through eloquent devotional songs.
Swamis also delivered discourses in Hindi and English, explaining Shri Krishna’s messages of devotion and righteousness, and the purpose of his divine manifestation on earth. Drawing upon Shri Krishna’s teachings to Arjuna in the Mahabharat, their narrations also revealed the importance of remaining stable and equipoised in life and encouraged everyone to imbibe these qualities to progress on their personal spiritual path.
Video blessings from Mahant Swami Maharaj from the Janmashtami celebrations held in his presence in Sarangpur, India, earlier in the day were also shared in which he drew further upon the Mahabharat and explained that ultimate victory is through faith and refuge in God.
The festivities culminated with the divine and auspicious birth of Shri Krishna Bhagwan signified by the janmotsav arti followed by the joyous swinging of the paranu (swing) accompanied with vibrant devotional singing.