Grayslake Mandir in Illinois celebrates Hindola festival

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The Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake, IL celebrated their special Shravan Masa Hindola Utsav or swing festival Sunday, July 16, 2023. The festival featured family dieties of many devotees, a press release from the Hindu Mandir said.

Devotees believe the origins of Hindola can be traced to 5000 years ago in Vrindavan where Ma Yashoda and Gopis swayed baby Lord Krishna on a decorated swing.

The Program started with Lord Ganesh Puja and acknowledgment of sponsors (Sankalpam) by the temple priests, Pundits Anil Joshi, Bala Gopal, and Radha Krishna. Shri Krishna Abhishekam was performed with different fresh homemade juices and saffron milk.

Special Vastram and Alankaram were offered while Rita Patel, Pt. Devaraj Joshi sang bhajans with Kamalesh Desai and Atul Soni as accompanists.

Pt. Joshi narrated the story of Hindola Utsav to the devotees. He said that Ma Yashoda organized Hindola Utsav when Krishna went to graze cows for the first time to the forest. She thought that he might be thirsty and tired on his way back from the forest. Therefore, Ma Yashoda and Gopis arranged fresh fruits and juices for Krishna and other Gopas. They also rocked Lord Krishna on a decorated swing in the forests of Vrindavan. That time, all Devi and Devatas also came down in the form of birds and animals to see Ma Yashoda’s pure love for her child, the story goes.

He conveyed the basic message that nature is created by the Lord and everything grown there belongs to him. So, we need to offer to HIM before consuming them. This applies to all the food grains, fruits, and whatever is consumed at any time of the year.

Devotees brought their family deities to participate in the Hindola Utsav. Pundit Joshi blessed all the devotees for a happy and long life.

After Maha Mangalarati, the temple oAffered Maha Prasadam consisting of fresh fruits, juices namely lassi, Aam Panna, Thandai, Kichadi and yogurt to all the devotees.