Friday, August 5, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: Second Shloka

Lord Krishna Breathes Music Into His Flute

kusumit vanaraaji susmi bhrnga dvijakulaghusta sarah sarinmahidhram |
madhupati ravagahyachaarayan gah saha pashupalabalaschukuja venum ||2||
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.2)


Madhupati Krishna Enters Vrindavan Alongwith Balarama & the Gopas

Meaning: The intoxicated black bees were buzzing all over the rows of green trees blooming with beautiful flowers; various species of birds, flocks of them were resounding the lakes, rivers, Mount Giriraj, Gahar Van as well as other forests with their melodious voice as they sang passionately. Gaining entry into that forest region along with brother Baldau and the cowherd boys, Madhupati Shri Krishna breathed music into His flute as He grazed the cows.


Lord Krishna in the Idyllic Forest of Vrindavan

Commentary by Shri Manohar Baba: Shri Sanatan ji Maharaj says that the underlying meaning of describing kusumit or flowering is that this creation of the beautiful forest scene, stirs up passion. Shri Krishna entered such an idyllic and sensuous forest which provides the perfect setting for the sweet love of Krishna.There is a clear indication that He did not enter into some forest overpowered by the gods or demons-like Tal Van and other forests. Nyavisad means He entered naturally like any other day. Here the commentator clarifies that the daily routine of Krishna's grazing cows is not just for delighting the sakhas.


Dark God Krishna & The Gopas Enjoy Spirited Antics

But rather dark god Krishna sets out towards the forest for the sake of bringing joy to his hungering devotees represented by the enraptured village girls of Braj, with whom He sported in His youth.The purpose of grazing the soft-eyed cows and going off with the other gopas is secondary and is just for playing spirited antics with them.

 Gopis Represent Krishna's Hungering Devotees

Shri Jeev Goswami Paad ji says nyavisad madhupati. Who entered the forest? Not Devaadhipati Shri Krishna, the Lord of the gods but rather madhu rituraajasya pati or Krishna the Wupreme lover who rules over the autumnal season. The glorious beauty of the forest of Vrindavan and Madhupati Shr Krishna gaining entry in it- means that the forest of Vrindavan is the perfect landscape in which the enraptured cowherdesses romantically dally with their elusive paramour Krishna (gopis longing for Krishna express the cry of the love-struck soul for god).


Lord Krishna's Madhurya or Sweet Love Unfolds in Vrindavan

The bhava of making the cows and gopas accompany Krishna is merely to keep the rapture of romantic dallying secretive. Keeping these fusions of delight and desire hidden, is the beauty of Krishna's madhurya which unfolds in a land of highly restrictive social conventions. Thus He gained entry into the forest along with cows and cowherds to disguise the truth of His intentions.


Gopis Abandon Earthly Chores & Rush to Krishna, the Supreme Lover

The Supreme Lover entered with an indication of romantically dallying with the Braj bhaktijan, (the hungering devotees of Krishna represented by the gopis), then how did the cowherdesses who were busy in their earthly chores, their families, their duties come to know of His entry? The answer is that Krishna did not enter the forest silently but with venum chukuja or by breathing music into the flute.



Dark-Hued Krishna's Flute-Play Passionately Draws the Gopis
The commentator says that the word nyavisad would be sufficient if the sole purpose to enter with the cowherd boys  was for grazing cows-what was the need of saying chukuja venum ? Therefore it is crystal clear that the melodious song of the flute-play was for the sake of passionately drawing the gopis. Shri Shukdev ji Maharaj has used the world chukuja after great consideration.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: 1st Shloka

Dark-hued Krishna Enters Vrindavan with His Cows & Sakhas

ittham sarat-svaccha-jalam, padmakara-sugandhina |
nyavisad vayuna vatam, sa-go-gopalako 'cyutam ||1||
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.21.1)

The Forest of Vrindavan in The Autumnal Season

Meaning: Shri Shukdev says-Parikshit ! The forest was in its most glorious state because of Sharad Ritu, the autumnal season.The waters flowed clear and sweet, and the breeze laden with the fragrance of lotus flowers blossoming in the luminous lakes, was blowing softly. Lord Krishna entered the forest of Vrindavana along with His cows and cowherd friends.

Commentary by Shri Manohar Baba:

The Luminous Autumn Sky

On its own accord the rainy season took leave after watering nature, making it green with the cool blades of grass- leaves, and handing over the just bathed earth in the hands of the autumnal season.


The Radiant Full Moon of Sharad Ritu

As soon as autumn set in, the sky was cleared of heavy black clouds. The lovely radiant full moon rose on the starry firmament and illuminated the earth.The gushing flow of Shri Yamuna as well as waters of the lakes and ponds rejoiced on being cleansed and were crystal clear.

White Lotus Clusters

The reddish, white, blue and yellow-hued lotus clusters began enhancing the forest's majestic beauty as soon as the Sharad Ritu arrived. The threefold breeze laden with the fragrance of lotuses, scented the entire forest. The sole purpose of blossoming lotuses, clear waters, a cool fragrant breeze blowing and a detailed description of the forest's beauty is to present a prelude to Krishna's enigmatic lila or divine play.
Rasraj Krishna, Truly, the Lord is rasa" (raso vai sah), Who bestows eternal joy, entered Vrindavan, blooming with lotus flowers, along  with the gopas.


Madhur Rasa of Shri Radha-Krishna

Being ineffably pure and effulgent the Sharad Ritu is serviceable and stimulates Krishna's playful dalliance. Just mentioning the word Sharad reminds one of madhur rasa, the sentiment of sweet romance. 


Lord Krishna Blesses the Braj Bhaktijan

Even on being surrounded by cows and cowherds in a season which celebrates nature in its most majestic state, Krishna enters the forest of Vrindavan just to grant rasa to the collective Braj bhaktijan, the denizens of Braj.

The Simple Sakhas are Unaware of Krishna's Romantic Dalliance

The word Sharad expresses a bhava which is totally different from Krishna's going to graze cows as a daily routine. As He takes the cows today, the episode is comletely centred around madhurya or sweet love. The innocent sakhas are incapable of understanding this fact. All of them merely know how to play spirited antics with their lovable sakha, Krishna, after observing the sheer beauty of nature.

Krishna Breathes Music into His Flute

Whether He is Madhupati (title of Krishna, the capricious black bee which flits from one flower to another) or His flute gives the so very secretive love message, the cowherds are enchanted by the sweetness of Krishna's flute play, His lotus face, an ocean of beauty and the dark-god's winsome manners. Whereas the bhava of grazing cows in the autumnal season abounds with the sentiment of sweet romance and is supreme for the residents of Braj.


The Gopibhaba of Total Commitment to Krishna

All nights and days of the autumnal season are for the sake of showering rasa.That is the reason why Shri Shukdev ji has laid stress on ittham which means that dark-hued Krishna enters the forest in its most glorious state of Sharad Ritu-so that only those who have developed the gopibhava of sweet and total commitment and love for Krishna, can understand this meaningful message. As far as Shri Parikshit ji is concerned merely a beautiful account given of the forest of Vrindavan is sufficient.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Shri Venu Geet: Introduction

The Song of Lord Krishna's Flute Play

The Venu Geet or Song of Lord Krishna's Flute Play is a compilation of 20 shlokas in the twenty-first chapter of the tenth canto in Shrimad Bhagwat. Shri Manohar Baba's moving commentary on Venu Geet in 'Prem Rasamrit Dhara' helps us imbibe the essence of Krishna's message given by the song of His flute play.

Gopis Long to See Krishna When He Returns Home with the Cows

Herein Krishna is revealed as the Supreme Lover towards whom the enraptured village girls with whom He sported in his youth are passionately drawn. The gopis have known Krishna as a child and watched Him grow up and go with the other gopas to graze the soft-eyed cows that were the wealth of their small village. They have waited for Him to return in the evening at the hour of cowdust, playing the flute as he approached.

Krishna Celebrates Nature in Her Most Glorious State

The first five verses of Venu Geet glorify the autumnal month of Kartik. That supreme moment of Krishna's manifestation as human lover and divine incarnate is experienced through a celebration of nature in her most glorious state, in that magical time of the year which comes with Sharad Ritu, the autumnal season. That is when the skies are cleared of heavy black clouds, the waters flow clear and sweet and the air is luminous, and the whole of earth rejoices on being cleansed.

Krishna Breathes Music Into His Flute

In this enchanted season Krishna picks up his flute and breathes music into it. The magical sound fills the gopis with intoxication, peacocks dance, animal stand still entranced, the cows stop grazing. In this state of innocence all the elements of nature are perceived as living, sentient beings: the earth is blessed because Krishna has chosen to walk on her, the bamboo trees are proud that Krishna has chosen them for his music.All of them are filled with one bhava which pervades the atmosphere that of ecstatic devotion or shringara bhakti.

The Supreme Lover Krishna, Enters Vrindavana & the Gopis' Hearts

The gopis see Krishna entering the forest of Vrindavan accompanied by His friends wearing a peacock crown and golden garments, in verse 5 of the Venu Geet. He is adorned with flowers in His ears and a forest garland around His neck. Filling the holes of His flute with the nectar of His lips, His entrance is not only into the beautiful forest of Vrindavan, but into the hearts of the gopis.

Gopis Sing the Glories of Krishna's Flute

In the next 14 verses of Venu Geet, the gopis sing the glories of Krishna's flute.The flute in the hands of Krishna is more than a musical instrument. It is the breath of love and a call to eternity. It is the sound of the flute that attracts the cows and draws the gopis, the milkmaids of Vrindavan, out of their homes for a romantic dalliance with Krishna.

The Milkmaids are Jealous of Krishna's Flute

The gopis exclaim in verse 9 of Gopi Geet, “What act of great merit hath this flute performed in consequence of which it is drinking the nectar from the lips of Krishna without leaving the smallest particle for the gopis, the rightful enjoyers of it? What ! Is this more loved even than us, that night and day Krishna continues holding it?...Why did not the lord of Vraja make us flutes so that night and day we had remained with Hari Krishna.” As they stepped into youth, the gopis became intensely desirous of having Krishna's attentions for themselves alone.

Dark-Hued Krishna is Seen as the Object of Longing

When Shri Krishna plays the flute a second time, the enlightenment of the gopis is five-fold. Firstly it is absolute renunciation. When the gopis hear even a single note, they know no other loyalty but to find Krishna even when they know that he is as capricious as the inconstant bee. Hearing the music, the gopis abruptly abandon husbands, children, calves, dinner on the stove to run to him. Heedless of their reputation, the adoration of the village women brings them into the dark forest. Krishna rebukes them and asks them to return to their duties back home.

Gopis Realize that Krishna is Human & Yet Divine

The second step is acquiring knowledge or sankhya. On an autumnal night when Krishna dances with them, He realizes that conceit and pride has affected the gopis' love for him, and He vanishes.With Krishna's disappearance, the gopis experience a depth of despair that carves a new dimension in their love; the gopis learn that Krishna is very much in and of this world yet He is above it, He is human and yet divine.

Soon After, Krishna is Forced to Reappear Before the Gopis

Thirdly when Krishna reappears before the gopis and answers their questions on the different kind of love, He prepares the milkmaids for a love of selfless devotion. “ Your devotion for Me has increased now when you went through the agony of losing Me for a while.” Strangely enough, the gopis find themselves cleansed of their sensual desire for Krishna-as much as the hills and rivers and skies have been cleansed after the rain.

The Progression of the Gopis into Complete Absorption in the Joy of Krishna

Yoga or meditation is the fourth step of enlightenment; a delicately decisive moment in the progression of the gopis towards union with their Lord. No longer in search of satisfaction of their lust alone, stripped of pride and conceit, they urge one another into complete absorption in the joy of Krishna that does not require His human presence.
The Gopis' Devotion Transforms into Perfected Devotion

Finally the cowherdesses' bhakti transforms into parabhakti or perfected devotion. Aching with separation, they begin to know the Krishna that abides in their hearts when they sing His praise and dwells in their longing for Him. They have begun to know their friend not as a separate singular god-like body, but mystically visualize Him as the world around them. And they instinctively renounce the desire for liberation and enlightenment, as well.
Having Imbibed the Essence of His Flute Play, the Gopis Constantly Love Krishna

Having imbibed the essence of His flute play, the milkmaids love Krishna constantly, freely, without purpose. While milking cows, draining curds, washing clothes on riverbanks, they gather in clusters at night to sing the dark God's glories.

Spiritual Calendar, August 2011

1st Aug, 2011:The Jayanti of Swami Karpatri ji Maharaj


Swami Karpatri ji Maharaj

He is the same Karpatriji Maharaj who led the famous movement for the protection of cows on 7th November, 1966, which shook New Delhi. All the bhaktas of gau mata bow at the feet of Svami ji and vow to stop the slaughter of cows, thus working in the direction of Gandhi ji, Bhagwan Mahavir ji and Guatam Budh.



Gau Maiya
In Hinduism the cow is considered sacred and its protection is a recurrent theme in which the cow is symbolic of abundance, the sanctity of life and of the earth which gives much while asking for nothing much in return. In case one does not have a cow at home one must at least have a picture of gua maiya, the wealth of Lord Krishna's small village!


1st to 13th August, 2011: Special Worship of Lord Shiva in the Month of Sawan, till Rakhi


Worship of Lord Shiva in Shravan

particularly on Mondays. Shravan is considered the holiest month of the year. Every Monday is special when the dharanatra hangs over the linga bathing it with holy water and the nandadeepa or lamp burns round the clock in Shiva temples.Devotees adorn the Shivlinga with bel patra & flowers, and fast till sunset.


Lord Shiva or 'The Auspicious One', works for our well being, is the refuge of loving tenderness, is splendidly generous, bestows religious devotion to Krishna and is maha yogeshwar.Easily pleased, Lord Shankar manifested for Bobo and made this spectral revelation that he was her guru or spiritual preceptor.

2nd August, 2011: Hariyali Teej is on a Tuesday


Shri Radha-Krishna On a Jhulan

The first of the three main Teej festivals is observed three days after Hariyali Amavasya. Vrindavan is certainly worth a visit on this day since Shri Prabhu Banke Bihariji is posited on a jhoola sinhasan, religious hymns are chanted and lilas of Radha-Krishna are narrated. Saint Ushaji's Thakurji is already resplendent on a swing from 5 to 6 pm for the entire month of Shravan.

2nd August, 2011: Respected Bharti ji and Vikas ji invite you to join the teej jhoola utsav of


Sri Sri Radha Radha Kanti ji

Sri Radha Radha Kant ji from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesday at their residence followed by Mahaprasad. All are humbly requested to attend the festival.

3rd August, 2011: Vinayak Sri Ganesh Chaturthi is on a Wednesday


Shri Ganesha

Ganesha, the foremost god of the Hindu pantheon is beheld as the most auspicious God of new beginnings and widely worshipped as the supreme god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.


On Ganesha Chaturthi Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, grants his presence on earth for all his devotees. Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi it is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. The festival is observed in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, starting on shukla chaturthi (fourth day of the waxing moon) sometime between August and September. The festivities last for 10 days and ends on Ananta Chaturdashi with chants of, "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudcha Varshi Laukar Ya!" (O Lord Ganesha, return soon again next year!)

3rd August,2011: At the holy feet of revered Santosh Behenji ( 1923-2004)


Santosh Bahenji

The waters of Jhelum abound with love tales of Laila Majnu and Shiri Farhad. Born in a Sikh family of those environs of Kashmir and impressed by Gandhi's principles, Santosh Bahenji, daughter of an affluent father, got Shaligramji ( Lord Vishnu's form ) from a sage when she was very young. Longing for Krishna In 1942, she came to the holy site of Vrindavan at the tender age of 19 and met great saints like Sri Sri Maharaj ji, Manohar ji, Bobo ji & Sushila Bahenji who influenced her life. Sarla Bahenji was her constant companion. The book 'Sri Krishna Anuragini Santosh Bahenji' was published in 2005 and showcases her experiences with Shri Bihariji, Vrindavan, Yamunja ji, the Yugal Sarkar of Saint Ushaji and the parikar in Vrindavan.

4th August,2011,: Naag-Panchami


Lord Krishna Vanquishes Kalia Naag

Naag Panchami is a festival during which religious Hindus in some parts of India either worship images or live Nagas on the fifth day after Amavasya of the Shravan Month. Traditionally, married young women visit their premarital households to celebrate the festival. Particularly in the villages of India, a traditional aspect of the celebration involves young women swinging joyously on swings temporarily hung on tree branches.


According to Puranic mythology, Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. The first wife gave birth to Devas; the second, to Garudas; the third --named Kadroo--, to Nagas; and the fourth, to Daityas. Nāgas were the rulers of Patal-Loka.

Lord Krishna had conquered Naga Kalia and put an end to his evil deeds on Naga Panchami. As per a myth, the Kathmandu Valley used to be a vast lake. When human beings began draining the lake to make space for settlements, the Nagas were enraged. To protect themselves against the wrath of Nagas, people gave the latter certain areas as pilgrimage destinations, thus restoring the harmonious balance of nature.


4th August, 2011: Kalki Jayanti


Lord Kalki

when Lord Kalki will take birth in this Kaliyuga. Observed on Shukla Paksha Sashti in the month of Shravan it is the most auspicious time to purchase a new house or car.


In Hinduism, Kalki is the tenth and final incarnation of Vishnu who will come to end the present age of darkness and destruction. Kalka in Sanskrit refers to ignorance and hence denotes the "destroyer of darkness". Other similar derivations from Sanskrit - include one simply meaning 'White Horse'.


4th August,2011 is the 48th anniversary of the (punya tithi aradhana) of Sri Swami Shivananad ji


Swami Shivanandji Ji

of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh (8th September,1887 to 14th July, 1963). In the year 1936 he started the Divine Life Society on banks of the holy Ganges in Rishikesh with the main objectives of dissemination of spiritual knowledge and the selfless service of humanity.


6th August,2011, SAT: The appearance of Shri Goswami Tulsidas


Gosain Tulsidas ji

Gosain ji was a dedicated devotee of Lord Rama and the writer of 'Shri Ramcharitmanas,' a great Hindu epic. He was born on Shravan Shukla Saptami of 1498 AD in Rajpur, Chitrakoot district and was a Sarayuparina Brahmin by birth.

Tulsidas ji intensely loved his wife Buddhimati and she enlightened him by saying that if he loved Lord Rama half as much as her he would attain eternal bliss. Thereafter Tulsidas became an ascetic. He got a vision of Lord Rama through Hanumanji and began composing the Shri Ramcharitmanas. On Tulsidas Jayanti one must read or hear the Ramcharitmanas, visit shrines of Lord Rama plus Hanumanji, and feed Brahmins.


8th August, 2011: Sawan Somwar Fast


The Twelve Jyotirlingams

The first Monday of Shravan is dear to all the gods, especially Shiva. On every Monday of this month, devotees throng to Shiva temples throughout India to worship the sacred Shivalingam.

9th August, 2011: Putrada Ekadashi


Lord Vishnu

The significance of this ekadashi was explained by Lord Krishna to Yudhishtira and is found in the 'Bhavisyotara Purana'. It is observed during the waxing phase of the moon in the months of July-August in Gujarat, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In North India Putrada Ekadashi is observed in the Paush Month or December-January. It is said that by fasting on Putrada Ekadashi all our sins are pardoned.


There is a popular belief that married couples with no offspring are blessed with children if they observe the Putrada Ekadasi. Most devoteess of Lord Vishnu fast on this day and some do not sleep.Those fasting partially abstain from food made of rice.


11th August,2011: Lord Shiva's Pradosh Fast


Bhagwan Shri Rudra Puja

We must attend the Bhagwan Sri Rudra Pooja in the month of Sawan at the Community Center, Trinity Tower, Gurgaon at 7 PM. Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight for propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings all desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment. It is said that all gods and goddesses assemble at Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva on this day.


13th August, 2011: Rakhi or Purnima is on a Saturday


Lord Krishna Saves Draupadi's Honour

Rakhi is a very famous festival for brothers and sisters. At Vrindavan, the one-month long sawan stuti of Lord Shiva and jhulan of Thakurji that started on Guru-Poornima or 15th July, comes to an end.


According to the Hindu Calendar Rakhi falls on the Shravan Purnima (full moon day) which corresponds to July-August as per the English Calendar. In Mumbai the festival is called Narial Purnima and people of Kerala term it the Avani Avittam.

Krishna and Draupadi: An incident concerning Krishna and Draupadi from the epic Mahabharata is centred on this festival. Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, had torn a strip off her silken sari and tied it around Krishna index finger to stop the flow of blood. Krishna was so touched that he promised to repay the debt and did so during the Vastra Haran of Draupadi. In the assembly of King Dhritarashtra when Yudhishthir lost her in gambling, Krishna indefinitely extended her saree, to save her pride.

The legend of Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna: Raksha Bandhan was a ritual followed by Yama, the Lord of death and Yamuna his sister. Yamuna tied a rakhi to Yama and bestowed immortality. Yama was so moved that he declared that whoever got a rakhi tied from his sister and promised her protection would become immortal.


15th August,2011: Independence Day


Wishing all Indians at home & those living abroad, a very happy independence day.


17th August,2011 : Sri Ganesh Chaturthi Fast


Ganesha, the Most Auspicious God

Devotees of Lord Ganesha, who intend to observe a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi, wake up early in the morning and take a bath. After wearing laundered clothes, they head towards the nearest temple or perform a small puja at their home, to offer prayers to the deity.


They either opt for the nirjal vrat (a stringent, waterless fast) or phalahar vrat (a diet). In order to concentrate, the devotees chant mantras invoking Lord Ganesha and sing bhajans in his praise. It is believed that if one observes a fast on Ganesha Chaturthi with sincerity, he is blessed with health, wealth and prosperity.


20th August, 2011: Halshashti


Lord Balram or Haldhar

This is the appearance day of Lord Balarama, the first expansion of the dark-hued Krishna. Devotees offer special prayers to Balarama, the icon of duty, honesty and simplicity to receive spiritual strength from Him.He incarnated on the full moon day of Shravana.

Balaram, Balarama and Sankarsana are some of Lord Baldev's other names. Balaram had incarnated as Lakshman in the Treta Yuga which came before Dwapar.

He is considered the incarnation of Sheshnaag, the thousand-headed snake on whom Lord Vishnu sleeps throughout periods of dissolution of the world.Because he was drawn from Devaki's to Rohini's womb, He is known as Lord Sankarsana. It is a common belief that he bestows riches on this materialistic world.

Balaram is also famed as Haldhar, the god of the farmers.They devotedly worship the plough, his weapon, before undertaking any task.


22nd August, 2011: Lord Shri Krishna Janamashtami on a Monday


badhai ho, badhai ho, badhai ho sabhi ko bhagwan shri krishna ke janamotsav ki badhai ho !


Celebrations are to be held at Sri Banke Bihari ji Temple, all the temples of Vrindavan, Gokul, Mahavan, Mathura, ISKCON and the world over.


The main purpose of the Lord’s incarnation is for the salvation of saints, destruction of evil and installation of righteousness as explained in the 'Bhagwad Gita.'. Towards the end of the Dwapar Era, in the Hindu month of Bhadra, Mathura had the great fortune of witnessing Lord Krishna’s birth on Krishan Ashtami. Atrocities were on the rise, religion had become a mere farce and the deities were great pained. King Kansa terrified of his own death had imprisoned Vasudev and Devki, having killed six of their earlier children. The seventh child was to be the Lord Himself.

Shri Radha- Krishna, our Yugal Sarkar at Gaura Colony, Vrindavan

Parampoojaya Susheela Bahinji shall lead the utsav at Gaura-Colony in front of our Yugal Sarkar or Thakurji.The search of the impassioned soul for union with god is centred within earthly Vrindavan. Its enraptured village girls representing Krishna's hungering devotees are passionately drawn to his lyrical softness, innocent pranks, beautiful adornments and serene sensuality which add to his madhurya or sweet love.

Krishna's playful dalliance is nitya or eternal. One aspect of Lord Krishna’s enigmatic persona which distinguishes him from all other deities is his lila or divine play which makes him both human and divine at the same time, and becomes him most of all.Delighting in play he endears himself and brings joy to all his devotees.


22nd August, 2011:We have the special Janmashtmi Kirtan


Shri Hari Kirtan

at respected Indu Auntyji 's home from 5 to 7 pm. All are requested to attend the celebrations .


23rd August, 2011:The Nandotsav at Sri Banke Bihariji and the other temples.


Thakur Radha Raman ji on Nandotsav

Krishna Janamashtami is followed by a day full of pomp and joyous abandon where Nandotsav or Nanda Mahotsav is observed in various temples all over the country. In the morning after Janamashtami or navami, Bihariji continues to sit in the jagmohan showering his blessing and loving tenderness to all. Priests and devotees distribute sweets, fruits, clothes, toys, utensils and coins as part of the celebrations. Devotional songs congratulating Nand Baba on the birth of Krishna are delightedly sung in unison.Everybody feels that the dark-hued Krishna has been born today and revels with enthused exultation.


Footprints of Child Krishna

The ladies of the house mark the entrance of their homes with rice paste so as to form small feet of infants. They are always made pointing towards the house which is believed to mark the entry of child Krishna in their abodes and bring prosperity along with happiness.


25th August, 2011: Aja Ekadashi


The Truthful King Harishchandra & Taramati

Aja Ekadasi falls on the eleventh day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (August – September). As the legend goes once there lived a great King known for his truthfulness and popular as Satya Harishchandra. The King was passing through difficult times and sought shelter of the great Shri Gautam Maharshi.The sage asked the king to keep the fast of Aja Ekadsi with utmost devotion.

King Harishchandra observed the fast of Ananda Ekadasi. Soon after, he got back his wife, son and kingdom which he had lost in the past. Above all, the King ruled the kingdom happily and went back to God.

The legend and significance of Aja Ekadasi is explained in the Brahma Vaivartha Purana. Lord Krishna mentions to Yudhisthira. Observing a fast on this day cleanses all the sins of a person and is very auspicious being a favourite day of Lord Vishnu and His consort Shri Lakshmi.


26th August, 2011: FRI : Lord Shiva Pradosh fast


Lord Shiva

Pradosh means dusk and this fast is kept on the 13th day of each lunar fortnight for propitiating Lord Shiva. With his blessings all desires are fulfilled and one attains spiritual enlightenment. It is said that on this day all gods and goddesses assemble at Mount Kailash to worship Lord Shiva.

Worship of Shiva throughout the night, bathing the Shivalinga with panchamrta (milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey), homa, chanting the mulamantra (Aum Nama Shivaya) and praying for forgiveness are the other religious observances. At the end of the vrata one must do parana (break the fast by partaking the offerings).


29th August, 2011: Somvati Amavasya is on a Monday


Somvati Amavasya in Haridwar

The significance of Somvati Amavasya was explained to Yudhishtra by Bhisma in the Mahabharata. It is said that who ever takes a bath in the sacred rivers on this day will be prosperous, free of diseases and freed from sorrow and grief.It is also believed that the souls of ancestors will rest in peace if family members take a holy dip in the sacred rivers like the Ganges at Haridwar, Triveni and other places..


Amavasya of any month which falls on Monday is called Somvati Amavasya. It is specially known for the Tarpan of ancestors. Person observing this fast should sit under the Peepal tree and chant the Shani mantra on this day.


Baths and donations have a special significance while staying Maun (silent) is very fruitful. According to Dev Rishi Vyas, the above observances give fruition which is similar to donating thousands of cows.


Additionally those observing the fast circumambulate 108 times around the peepal tree and worship Lord Vishnu and the tree. This fast is mainly observed by women. After this, donations are made according to our financial ability. On 29th August, Somvati Amavasya, thousands of people can be seen having a dip in Haridwar.