In a blur of colour, excitement and vibrance, ISKCON Toronto’s 2009 Janmastami celebrations brought smiles and jubilance to so many assembled devotees.
Janmastami marks the appearance anniversary of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. At the Hare Krishna Center celebrations began before dawn as devotees gathered to greet the deities at Mangala Arati, the first darshan on this auspicious day! This was followed by an eventful morning program. One of the highlights was when the altar doors reopened and their lordships Sri Sri Radha Ksira-Cora Gopinatha gave their first darshan in their brand new outfit and stood majestically on their flower-bedecked altar! Throughout the day the many people who visited the temple got a glimpse of the fury of activity involved in the preparations for the main festivities.
The evening program was kicked of with rapturous kirtan which set the tone for the festivities! Other features included bhajans, classical dances, discourses and more! As a very special presentation the new paintings for the Temple room were unveiled as the pastimes they depict were explained. Additionaally, two brand new dramas, directed by H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami were presented during the evening’s festivities! During the second drama “Nandulal”, the audience was treated to see H.H. Bhaktimarga Swami play the role of Bilvmangala Thakur.
The countdown to midnight was kicked-off with the abhisheka (bathing ceremony) as the Temple was resounding with wonderful rocking kirtans. The Temple room as well as the balcony was packed to full capacity as the crowd awaited the opening of the altar doors. At the stroke of midnight, the Deity doors were swung open and the Deities were revealed in their pushpa (flower) outfits!
Please Enjoy this video presentation summarizing this year’s Janmastami celebrations. Click here to see Janmastami Deity photos. Click here for Janmastami kirtan recordings.
The festivites did not end here! The following day devotees observed the appearance anniversary of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada— celebrated as Vyasa Puja (“worship of the spiritual master”) by his disciples and followers. Click here for photos of Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa Puja.