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.

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.