NY Hindu Swami writes on the meaning of Krishna Janmashtami 2014

New York Hindu Swami writes on the meaning of Krishna Janmashtmi 2014

A Hindu Swami in New York has written special a special message on the meaning of Krishna Janmashtami 2014. The Krishna Janmashtami 2014 message of Canadian-born Swami Nikhilanand Ji has been published on the website of Radha Govind Dham New York. This New York Hindu Temple will be the host of the first ever Krishna Janmashtami Block Party on August 17th and Swami Nikhilanand Ji will give a Krishna Janmashtami 2014 address during the celebration which will also include live bhajans, food, dandiya, dances and much more. Check out the Janmashtami event page, and join the mandir on facebook for more info, updates and to invite family and friends. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids in costume!

Swami Nikhilanand's message includes some background of what Janmashtmi is, important points to remember regarding Shree Krishna’s avatar and how we can make the most of this grand festival by celebrating it in a way that Krishna would want. Full message is available here.

The world prepares for Krishna Janmashtami 2014 in Vrindavan

Prem Mandir Janmashtami date has been revised
and will now take place on August 18th. Sadhana Shivir will take place
July 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th

The world prepares for Krishna Janmashtami 2014 in Vrindavan

The Vrindavan Times News: The world waits on the edges of their seats as Vrindavan readies for one of the grandest and spectacular festivals of the year: Krishna Janmashtami 2014. Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Jayanti, is the appearance day of Lord Krishna. Upwards of a million devotees will visit Prem Mandir during Krishna Janmashtami period and witness the largest Krishna Janmashtami 2014 in the world.

Lord Krishna appeared at midnight of the eighth waning moon which falls in August/September. Krishna Janmashtmi is one of the greatest celebrations of the Hindu community worldwide which is observed throughout India, at Prem Mandir Vrindavan, and around the world as far as Austin, New York and Singapore.

In the Temples on Krishna Janmashtmi, devotees sing and chant the glories and the leelas of Krishna up to midnight. Then they do arti of Krishna and distribute prasad. In Vrindavan there are a number of professional groups who enact the leelas of Radha Krishna on the open stage.

Mass meditation program and Krishna Janmashtami 2014 at Prem Mandir Vrindavan

This year on Krishna Janmashtmi, a sadhana shivir (mass meditation program) will be held on 14th, 15th and 16th of August 2014 at Shyama Shyam Dham, Vrindavan. The Krishna Janmashtmi celebration itself will be celebrated in all the temples, ancient and contemporary, in Vrindavan and all over Braj. Sadhana Shivir will take place July 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th. Janmashtami will take place in the presence of many saints and dignitaries.

To mark the occasion, areas of Prem Mandir Vrindavan are specially displayed with the childhood events of Krishna and great crowds come to have its darshan. At Shyama Shyam Dham Vrindavan, a lovely cradle of baby Krishna is placed in the Satsang Hall on this day, and people will come from all over for the opportunity to have darshan and swing the Divine child on His Birthday.

Throughout the day and up to midnight, devotional programs will be arranged in Vrindavan which include one act plays and dances related to Radha Krishna leelas. Chanting of Krishna Janmashtmi leelas and the songs of His appearance, special arti of baby Krishna and Jagadguru Shree Kripalu Ji Maharaj‘s speech, explaining the importance of Krishna Janmashtmi in a devotee’s life, highlight the celebration.

Dressing kids as Lord Krishna... a beautiful Janmashtmi tradition

Dressing kids as Lord Krishna... a beautiful Janmashtmi tradition

In Vrindavan, the Holy town associated with Lord Krishna, there are fabulous plays depicting the life of Lord Krishna performed by professional, traditional acting groups. The connection you feel with Lord Krishna from watching plays about his life is absolutely wonderful and people come from far and wide to experience Krishna Janmashtami in that way.

Another tradition which is becoming more and more popular is dressing up kids as Lord Krishna to add some magic to the divine day. In many Hindu Temples, in New York and Austin, there are best dressed Krishna competitions. The thinking behind this tradition is to give kids beautiful memories of Krishan Janmashtami which will stay with them forever, and also adding a lot of fun to the day! ;)

With just more than a week to go, there are still a lot of preparations taking places. More than a million devotees will visit Vrindavan, millions more enjoying Janmashtmi 2014 in the various charming ways and traditions in the beautiful Hindu temples which dot the globe.

Lord Krishna birthday song by Anup Jalota

Anup Jalota singing a special bal (baby/child) Krishna leela song during a live performance of his birthday. There will be ecstatic singing of songs like this during Krishna Janmashtami 2014 in just 9 days from now! 

There is always more joy when you bring your kids in costume whether celebrating in Vrindavan India, Austin or Radha Govind Dham New York or anywhere else. The best part of Krishna Janmashtmi is getting your kids into the spirit of the occasion by dressing them up for a contest, and giving them personal memories and experiences with Lord Krishna. Singing celebration songs like the one sung by Anup Jalota above is one way to experience the connection and real meaning of Krishna Janmashtami 2014.

Live Krishna Janmashtami 2014 news coverage from Vrindavan, Austin and New York

Live Krishna Janmashtami 2014 new coverage from Vrindavan, Austin and New York

Krishna Janmashtami 2014 News Blog will offer live coverage of the smallest to the biggest of Lord Krishna's birthday celebration in Vrindavan, India and around the world in such far flung cities as New York, Austin and Singapore. 

Stay tuned as we experience the joy of God's birthday festival and revel in the happiness of Krishna's devotees and fans worldwide.