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 Friday 19 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 from the morning, providing an opportunity for worshippers to offer their personal prayers and respects.
The festival was further celebrated through an evening assembly of devotional songs and discourses that elaborated upon the teachings of Shri Krishna Bhagwan from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. The narrations drew upon the basic tenets of true spirituality and the hallmarks of an ideal Guru as detailed in the sacred text. Swamis also shared practical perspectives that explained the benefits that the Gita offers in one’s personal life.
Video blessings from the Janmashtami celebrations held in the presence of Mahant Swami Maharaj in Anand, India, earlier in the day were also shown.
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.