The Janmastami

Sri Krsna Janmastami

September 6 - 7, 2004 -- Mathura, India

Janmastami was celebrated with much pomp for two days in Mathura with Srila Narayana Maharaja. The evening before, Arila Maharaja organized a large parade with harinama sankirtana, bands, floats portraying Krsna's pastimes, camels and elephants. And, throughout the entire three hour procession, he rode on a horse-drawn chariot. Tens of thousands of spectators watched in awe.

On the morning of Janmastami, bhajanas began at about 6am, and at around 7am, Srila Maharaja gave a lecture on the meaning of various songs glorifying Sri Radha and Krsna. In the evening, from 8pm to midnight, Srila Maharaja and thousands of devotees listened to classical bhajanas of guest musicians . At midnight there was an abhiseka (bathing ceremony) of Srimati Radharani and Sri Krsna, followed by a feast to break the day's fasting.

A lifesize diarama of Sri Vasudeva Maharaja carrying baby Krsna across the Yamuna River was the first sight to see as a guest walked into Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha in Mathura.

Srila Maharaja walking out of Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha to join the Janmastami procession.

Blessing a young child in the parade.

Srila Maharaja's float.

The altar at Sri Kesavaji Gaudiya Matha; Sri Sri Radha-vinoda-bihariji and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the center, Giriraja Govardhana to their right, and Parama-gurudeva Srila Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Gosvami Maharaja on their left.