Janmashtami celebrations bring colour, devotion to Capital

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 26

Janmashtami festivities brought the Capital to life on Monday as Delhiites celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna with great enthusiasm. The usually mundane Monday was transformed into a day of joy and devotion, with people flocking to temples for aarti and darshan.

One of the major highlights was the Birla Mandir in Gole Market, which was beautifully illuminated and saw a steady stream of devotees from early morning, eager to attend the Krishna aarti. Similarly, the ISKCON temples across Delhi witnessed grand celebrations, drawing large crowds.

Director of ISKCON National Communication, Vrajendra Nandan Das, said, “Devotees started arriving at the temple since early morning. I am hopeful that the record of 4 lakh devotees will be broken. Many political leaders like Harsh Malhotra and Bansuri Swaraj paid obeisance at the temple. I appeal to everyone to come in large numbers to offer prayers at the temple.”

In addition to the spiritual fervour at the temples, cultural events also played a significant role in the celebrations. At the Kamani Auditorium in Mandi House, the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra hosted the 48th edition of its renowned dance drama, “KRISHNA”. This enchanting performance, which ran from August 23 to 26, vividly depicted the life of Lord Krishna, from his divine birth to the moment he was cursed by Gandhari after the Mahabharata war.

Padma Shri Shobha Deepak Singh, Vice-Chairperson of Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra and the producer and director of the dance drama, said, “KRISHNA is a living testament to Lord Krishna’s timeless wisdom. Through captivating storytelling and artistic brilliance, we bring his life’s journey to the stage. Each performance is a symphony of dance, music and visuals, creating a world where divine and human intertwine.

Amidst life’s complexities, we offer a message of hope and peace, echoing the enduring spirit of Krishna.”

Another highlight of the celebrations was the ‘Matki Phod’ held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The event featured a live performance by singer Padma Shri Kailash Kher, whose soulful voice uplifted the festive spirit. The evening was marked by the formation of human pyramids, as participants attempted to break the traditional “matki”.

Prominent personalities, including New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj and MCD Mayor Shelly Oberoi, were seen attending aarti at both the Birla Mandir and ISKCON temple. Oberoi said, “I extend best wishes to everyone on Krishna Janmashtami. I wish that God’s blessings remain on everyone and that happiness and prosperity come to everyone’s home.”

The celebrations were not limited to the temples alone. Various melas were organised across the city, attracting families and devotees alike. The ISKCON mela in Dwarka featured multiple stalls, offering delicious bhog. The mela provided visitors with an opportunity to experience the vibrant Vaishnav culture while celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth.

The Punjabi Bagh Janmashtami Mela also drew large crowds with its carnival-like atmosphere, offering food, light and sound shows, and rides such as giant wheels and swings. The highlight of this mela was the Krishna Leela Jhankis.