ISKCON Columbus

We welcome you to participate in the celebrations of Sri Krishna Janmashtami with your family and friends, and get Lord Krishna's blessings!!

Date August 13rd - Thursday
Venue ISKCON Columbus Temple
Address 379 W 8th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Phone 614-421-1661
Parking

• Before 8PM: Parking garage on Medical Center Dr. (One block from 8th ave)
• After 8PM: Free street parking on 8th avenue

Time 6 PM until Midnight

Schedule of Events for Thursday, August 13th

6:00PM -7:00PM : Bhajans
7:00PM -7:45PM : Discourse by H.G. Yadavacharya Das
8:00PM -10:00PM : Abhishekam & Bhajans
10:00PM -12:00AM: Bhajans
12:00AM -12:30AM: Mid-night Darshan of Deities and Kirtan
12:30AM: Maha prasadam (special feast)

Nama Yajna: Bhakta Hari and devotees from Pittsburg would be doing a nama yajna starting from noon till midnight.

What is Janmashtami?

Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of Krishna, who is described in India’s sacred writings as God Himself. One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, it is celebrated by nine hundred and thirty million people around the world–and two million in the US alone. To devotees, it’s Christmas and New Year’s in one, a day of deep spiritual renewal and celebration that effectively finishes an old year and begins a fresh one.

But why Janmashtami, you may ask? What’s so special about Krishna, as opposed to any other form of God? It’s His personableness. For every devotee who offers Him love, He reciprocates in uniquely human ways. He is a mischievous son, a romantic lover, a compassionate friend. And on Janmashtami, devotees celebrate Krishna in all of these aspects. For just as Krishna reciprocates individually with His relatives and confidantes, he responds to the distinct feelings and desires held most deeply in the heart of every single worshipper.

So remember that whatever way you worship Krishna on Janmashtami, He will reciprocate with you accordingly. It’s a meditation that makes for an extremely rewarding devotional experience.

How is Janmashtami Celebrated?

Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa, private, more intimate prayer. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp.

Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues. [For details please visit krishna.com ]

We also invite you for the celebrations of Srila Prabhupada's appearance day on the 14th August, Friday at the temple

To sponsor for the Janmashtami / Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja, please contact Premvilas prabhu (gulla007@hotmail.com) or Harinamananda Prabhu (henry1008@hotmail.com).

Hare Krishna!

For questions or more information, contact us or call (614) 421-1661

ISKCON COLUMBUS
379 West 8th Ave
Columbus, Ohio 43201