Today the appearance day of Sri Krishna was celebrated in a very grand manner. Thousands and thousands of devotees and pilgrims visited from all over India. On 13th overnight, Deity altars, the temple, Srila Prabhupada Samadhi, all were decorated very nicely with various types of flowers brought from Delhi. 14th morning the temple was opened for devotees all were stuck with awe. After Mangala Arati at Srila Prabhupada Samadhi, the temple Mangala Arati at 4:30, Deities gave darshan on a new outfit sponsored by H.G.Vir Krsna prabhu. Thousands of devotees attended Mangala Arati.
     The darshan arati was delayed by 15 minutes as Deities were offered new outfits sponsored by Sriman T.K.Chaudhary. The darshan of Deities in the new outfit accompanied by nice kirtan made the devotees to be fully absorbed in spiritual bliss.
     From 8 am onwards till 10 am, Krishna’s pastimes in English were discussed by both H.G.Gadhi prabhu and H.G.Prabhupada das prabhu. H.H.Radha Govind Maharaj concluded his seven day long Bhagavat Katha by discussing the pastimes of Krishna’s appearance. Hundreds of devotees who specially came for Bhagavat Katha from all over India were inspired by the message sent through the lecture to the devotees.
     Through out the day thousands of people came from all nearby places and took the darshan and blessings of Their Lordships. The temple closed at 1:15 pm. At 4:30 p.m, again the Deities were offered new outfit sponsored by a devotee who wants to remain anonymous. At 6′o clock in the evening in the temple courtyard in the temporarily erected abhishek mandapa 3 sets of Sri Sri Radha Krishna Deities accepted kalash abhishek(copper, silver plated and gold plated) from more than 250 devotees who arrived from all over India. Simultaneously thousands and thousands of people were taking darshan of Their Lordships. Continuous ecstatic kirtan was performed by H.G.Aindra Prabhu and other devotees.
     At 10:15 p.m. Maha abhishek was performed for the Utsava Deities of Sri Sri Krishna Balarma was performed. Simultaneously Pujaris were dressing the Deities with new midnight outfit sponsored by devotee family from Agra. During Abhishek ecstatic kirtan was performed by Aindra prabhu and other devotees. After Maha bhoga offering at 12′o clock in the night, midnight maha aratik was performed. Again Deities were giving darshan in the new midnight outfit. Tens of thousands of people were visiting the Krishna Balaram mandir since morning especially crowd increased from 5′0 clock in the evening till 1 am in the night. After the aratik all the devotees broke their day long fast by honoring delicious Ekadasi prasadam(sponsored by Sriman T.K.Chaudhary). Many devotees and general public sent in their donations for kalash abhishek, arati seva and for prasadam and for other sevas on the occasion of Janmashtami. Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir management would like to thank all the devotees and volunteers for their participation and contribution for making this festival a grand success.
Sri Sri Krishna Janmashtami mahotsav ki Jai!
     We thank those who have donated through online and by depositing online in State Bank of India for various sevas. We shall be shortly sending them the Maha Prasad. As we are not able to trace the details of some donations all the donors to send in their donation details through mail to Brajbiharidas@pamho.net so that we don’t miss out the Maha Prasad and token of our appreciation.
(photos of the festival will be uploaded soon.)