Although falling on a Thursday evening, Nrsimha Caturdasi celebrations at Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple brought over 100 devotees as an evening dazzled with kirtan, class and ancient tradition awaited all.
Nrsimha Caturdasi celebrated the appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva, Lord Krishna’s half-man and half-lion incarnation. When King Hiranyakashipu tormented his youngest son Prahlada, a pure devotee of the Lord, Lord Krishna burst out of a palace column as Nrsimhadeva to protect His devotee.
Celebrations at the temple began with a beautiful kirtan led by Yajna Gauranga das and, as devotees arrived, the atmosphere became surcharged with the powerful sounds of kirtan. Devotees then collectively recited the Nrsimha Kavaca Stotram.
After some brief announcments, the Hare Krishna Temple warmly welcomed HG Brhat Mrdanga das to give class on this very auspicious day. Devotees were completely immersed in Brhat Mrdanga prabhu’s incredible class in which he gave some amazing little-known insights into the story of the appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva!
From there, our loving pujari department conducted an abhiseka of Lord Nrsimhadeva as kirtan reverberated through the temple. As the ancient tradional bathing ceremony took place, assembled devotees got the opportunity to fan the Deity of Lord Nrsimha.
The kirtan continued past 8:00pm as the arati took place and a delictable feast awaited the devotees for the end of the evening.
With a spine-tingling class by HG Brhat Mrdanga das setting the tone for the evening, it was yet another successful festival at Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple that had the glories of Lord Nrsimhadeva being called out to one and all!
View Photo Gallery of Festival Below:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf