Celebrating Krishna’s birth thousands of years later

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Krishna’s birth or Janmashtami was celebrated at temples and organizations all over the US. In New York, special celebrations were held till midnight, at the time when Krishna was born.

Radha Govind Dham: Like every year, the Radha Govind Dham in Floral Park celebrated Janmashtami on Tuesday, August 27^th with a Block Party from 5:00 pm to midnight. Established in 2013, the temple’s Janmashtami Block Party usually attracts close to 5,000 people, said temple trustee Rohit Sharma to Desi Talk. Beginning with pre-dinner prasad and kirtans by children, the event included a lecture by Swami Nikhilanandji on the significance of Janmashtami. Folk dances, classical dances and devotional dances were part of the cultural performances, informed volunteer Jai Punjwani. ‘Handi Fod’ or breaking of the earthen pot filled with dahi was the highlight of the evening, followed by garba till 8:30 pm which concluded the outdoor activities which continued inside the temple till midnight. The indoor event included darshan, kirtan and abhishek. Devotees could pull the swing or ‘zula’ rope of child Krishna’s crib. At 12 midnight Krishna’s birth was celebrated with cake cutting and a maha arati.

ISKCON: International Sri Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple at Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn held Krishna Janmashtami as the Appearance Day of Sri Krishna. An Adhivasa ceremony welcoming Krishna with auspicious items and chanting of mantras was held on Sunday, August 25^th , along with a Maha Arati performed by the devotees. Janmashtami celebrations were held on Monday, August 26^th from 3:00 pm to midnight with kirtan and Vaishnav bhajans, a flower dress darshan, a gaura arati, and a Krishna katha. At 7:30 pm, in cultural performances, dance and drama were presented, followed by Radha Krishna Maha Abhishekam, Krishna book reading, kirtan, a midnight arati at 12 midnight, and prasadam and anukalpa after that.

Ganesh Temple: The Mahavallabh Ganpati Sthanam, known as the Ganesh Temple in Flushing, held Krishna Janmashtami celebration on Sunday, August 25^th which was attended by a large number of devotees.  Speaking to Desi Talk, the temple spokesperson, Shivacharya explained that the temple celebrated ashtami a day before to go with US timings. He said, “Ashtami began on 25^th at 6:09 pm and ended on 26^th after 4:00 pm.”

The evening’s program included kalash puja, abhishek, shodash upchara puja, reading of Krishna Janma Katha, the Gita and the part about Krishna’s birth from the Bhagwatam. The program ended with a mangal arati at 10:00 pm. A ‘handi’ event was not held, but special use of Haldi (turmeric) was made at the puja on the 26^th as yellow was Krishna’s favorite color. Devotees also came for the celebration on the 26^th which was a Shravan Somvaar, Shivacharya said.

Satya Narayan Mandir: Satya Narayan Mandir, Woodside, celebrated Janmashtami on Monday, August 26^th from 7:00 pm to midnight, with a Puja and a ‘Bhagwat Katha’. Devotees brought children dressed as Krishna in the evening who were given gifts from the temple.

Shri Govardhannathji Mandir: The Vaishnav Temple at New Hyde Park in New York   celebrated Janmashtami on Monday, August 26^th from 10:30 pm to midnight. Beginning with Bhajan and Dhun, the celebration concluded with Shri Krishna Janma Darshan which was held at 12 midnight. The temple will hold the Nand Mahotsava on Saturday, August 31^st with a Radha and Krishna costume show and a ‘matki fod’ event. A  ‘palna darshan’ will be followed by prasad.

The Hindu Center on Kissena Blvd in Flushing celebrated Krishna Janmashtami with their annual Shobha Yatra which went around a few blocks before indoor celebration at the temple with Kirtans and lectures ending in a dinner.