Visakhapatnam, August 26, 2013: This year, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is celebrating ‘Sri Krishna Janmashtami Utsav’ with a host of events spread over three days on its premises at Sagar Nagar.

Cultural programmes

Special cultural programmes, ‘julan seva’, ‘108 kalash abhishekam’, ‘harikatha’, multilingual bhajans, discourse on ‘Sri Krishna Leela’, presentation of dance-drama of ‘Dasavatar’, ‘Vishnu Sahasranama parayanam’, chanting of the Gita, and ‘mass annadanam’ are some of the programmes lined up for three days from August 27. Chaitanya brothers, Annapurna Devi, and Sri Vidya Sharanya are some of the singers who would be regaling the audience with their devotional numbers.

An exhibition with amusement rides and a spread of 100 counters at the venue are the special attractions planned for the year. Further, there will be a display of ‘Krishna Leela’ and Lord Krishna’s childhood pastimes at Vrindavan during the festivities.

On Janmashtami (Wednesday), competitions such as flower decoration, ‘rangoli’, sweet dish preparation, butter pot breaking, fancy dress competition, drama, and solo and group dances will be organised from morning to night, where hundreds of students of LKG to Class X from various schools are expected to exhibit their skills.

Further details can be had on phone numbers 0891-2592233 or 9441792704 or 9502771257.

Diorama a special attraction

The Hare Krishna Movement is celebrating Krishna Janmashtami for two days from August 28 at Alwardas grounds.

Using eco-friendly techniques, a 20-ft-high diorama of Lord Krishna’s ‘Vishwarupam’ will be put up at the venue.

Among other programmes, ‘Hari nama japa yagna’, ‘special harati’, ‘jhulan seva’, ‘abhishekam’, cultural programmes, and distribution of ‘prasadam’ will be organised.

Some of the eminent artistes such as A.B. Bala Kondala Rao, M.P.S. Ravali, and Dwaram Thyagaraj would be performing on the occasion. The two-day celebrations will begin at 7 a.m. and continue till night.

Keeping last year’s participation of 70,000 devotees in view, this year the management is expecting 1.5 lakh visitors to the venue.

Some 15 craftsmen from Kolkata are working for the last three months to put up the dioramas of different forms of Lord Krishna.

Source: The Hindu, August 26, 2013