Daily Darshan Online Donation FAQ Philosophy Parampara

Quote of the Day

In the spiritual moonlight ocean of perfect love and bliss is a wonderful island. In that island is the forest of Vrndavana. In that forest of Vrndavana is a wonderful fair and dark young couple. (Prabodhananda Sarasvati, Vrndavana mahimamrta, Sataka 2 text 31)

Temple Festivals

Rama Navami
The appearance day of Lord Ramachandra, also called Brahmotsava, in the month of Chaitra (March/April). The Krishna Balaram Temple was opened on Rama Navami in 1975. The Deities receive new outfits and there is a wonderful abhishek and bhoga offering of at least 108 preparations. In the evening Sri Krishna and Balaram are brought out on palanquin for procession with ecstatic kirtan.

Chandan Yatra
The Deities are covered completely with chandan (sandalwood paste) which provides relief from the scorching summer heat in the month of Jyestha (May/June). Chandan Yatra continues with the small Deities for 21 days.

Jhulan Yatra
Swing festival at the beginning of the rainy season in Shravan (July/August). The small Deities are brought out into the temple courtyard on a beautiful gold-plated, solid teakwood swing. Around the swing is Phool Bungalow (flower house) for the Lord's pleasure. Devotees wait in queue patiently for a chance to personally swing Radha and Krishna.

Balaram Purnima
Appearance day of Balaramji, Krishna's elder brother, celebrated at the end of Shravan with the offerings of a new outfit, abhishek of Krishna and Balaram, mahabhoga offering and aratika. In the evening Krishna and Balaram are taken in procession around the temple and Balaram's wonderful honey prasadam is distributed.

Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Appearance day of Sri Krishna celebrated in the month of Bhadra (August/September). From early morning until after midnight lakhs of pilgrims take darshan of Sri Krishna. Two new outfits and also a flower outfit are offered. Before midnight there is Maha Abhishek of Sri Krishna on the altar and then a fabulous bhoga offering and aratika take place at midnight. Devotees fast all day and take nongrain prasadam after midnight. A feast is held the next say on Nandotsava.

Sri Vyasa Puja
Appearance day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Srila Prabhupada appeared in this world the day after Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Devotees celebrate Vyasa Puja and glorify Srila Prabhupada until noon. Then there is mahabhoga offering, puspanjali, aratika and a sumptuous feast.

Radhashtami
Appearance day of Shrimati Radharani held fifteen days after Sri Krishna Janmashtami. The day is celebrated by a half-day fast, abhishek and wonderful feast. New dresses for the Deities are offered in the morning, a flower dress in the afternoon and another new dress in the evening.

Kartika
The month of Kartika, also known as Damodara (October / November), attracts the most devotee visitors from around the world. For the entire month, devotees offer lamps to the Deities in the evening and chant the glories of the Lord's special Kartika childhood pastimes. Highlights of the month are Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Srila Prabhupada's disappearance festival when devotees glorify Srila Prabhupada by sharing memories until late into the night. Vraja Mandala parikrama tours the twelve forests of Vrindavan during the month of Kartika.

Nityananda Trayodasi
Appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu in Magh (February/March). By His causeless mercy even the most wretched persons can approach Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. This day is observed with fasting abhishek, a new daity outfit and feast.

Vasant Pancami
First day of spring in Magh (January/February). On this day the Deities are dressed in yellow outfits complemented by beautiful flower decorations. This is also the beginning of Holi in Vraja, which continues till Gaura Purnima. Holi celebrations of throwing colored powders proceed from one village to another, ending in Vrindavan on Gaura Purnima.

Gaura Purnima
Appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Phalguna (February/March). On this auspicious day, there is fasting until moonrise, abhishek and a beautiful new outfit offered to the Lord. This day also marks the last day of the famous Holi celebrations in Vrindavan.

Boat Festival
Krsna Phula Dola, Salila Vihara
- a summer boat festival for the Deities of Sri Sri Radha-Krsna.

Daily Darshan

Vaisnava Calendar

8 May 2008 Th
Aksaya Trtiya. Candana Yatra starts.
(Continues for 21 days)
11 May 2008 Su
Jahnu Saptami
13 May 2008 Tu
Srimati Sita Devi (consort of Lord Sri Rama) -- Appearance
Sri Madhu Pandita -- Disappearance
Srimati Jahnava Devi -- Appearance
End of Jala Dana
14 May 2008 We
Vrsabha Sankranti (Sun enters Taurus)
16 May 2008 Fr Paksa vardhini Mahadvadasi
Fasting for Mohini Ekadasi
Rukmini Dvadasi
17 May 2008 Sa
Break fast 05:30 - 10:00
Sri Jayananda Prabhu -- Disappearance
18 May 2008 Su
Nrsimha Caturdasi: Appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva
(Fasting till dusk)
19 May 2008 Mo
Krsna Phula Dola, Salila Vihara
Sri Paramesvari Dasa Thakura -- Disappearance
Sri Sri Radha-Ramana Devaji -- Appearance
20 May 2008 Tu
Sri Madhavendra Puri -- Appearance
Sri Srinivasa Acarya -- Appearance
Trivikrama Masa, Gaurabda 522
25 May 2008 Su
Sri Ramananda Raya -- Disappearance
31 May 2008 Sa
Fasting for Apara Ekadasi
1 Jun 2008 Su
Break fast 05:24 - 10:00
Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura -- Appearance