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Tomorrow Friday, August 19th we will be celebrating the birthday or appearance day of Lord Krishna, also known as Sri Krishna Janamastami. This marks the biggest celebration at Toronto’s Hare Krishna Temple!
Lord Krishna is transcendental and all-knowing among other various things. He’s the avatari, that is, all avatars (Nrsimha, Vamana, Rama) emanate from Him, yet He remains the ever-youthful cowherd boy. His beauty and sweetness know no bounds and He is the spiritual master and best friend to all!
The Temple will be buzzing with activity on Janamastami starting at 4:30 am with Mangala arati. Morning festivities also feature Darshan arati where Their Lordships are unveiled in their new outfit! (See the special festival Darshan schedule below)
The main festivities will start at 6:00 pm and go on until midnight. The evening will be filled with kirtans, bhajans, and an abhishek (bathing ceremony). The highlight remains the countdown to midnight. A special arati will be performed to their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Chora Gopinatha who will be dressed in an exquisite flower outfit!
Evening Program Schedule:
6:00 – 6:30 PM Arati
6:30 – 6:45 PM Announcements
6:45 – 7:45 PM Bhajans
7:45 – 8:00 PM Children’s Presentation
8:00 – 8:30 PM Aarti
8:30 – 10:00 PM Kirtan
10:00 – 11:00 PM Special Abhishek Ceremony performed by sponsors
11:00 – 11:30 PM Kirtan
11:30 – 12:00 AM Grand Finale Maha Abhishek Ceremony
12:00 – 12:30 AM Midnight Arati with flower outfit darshan
**SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
We strongly request everyone to wear masks for the duration of the program.
Please note light take-out prasadam will be distributed to guests as they leave the Temple from 6pm-10pm. The festival feast will be distributed at 12:30am after the midnight arati and will also be take-out.
Govinda’s Restaurant will have a special menu and will be open for extended hours from 10am – 10pm.
One of the ways you can support this festival is our special abisheka ceremony. At 10:00 pm sponsors will get a unique opportunity to bathe Sri Sri Radha Krishna in auspicious liquids from a conch shell. The best part is you get to take this festive conch shell home! Click HERE for more information as well as other opportunities. There will be three unique darshans available on Janamastami day. The term Darshan translates to a viewing or an auspicious audience with the Deity. See the above schedule for the Festival Darshan timings.
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