News of BAPS - USA & Canada - Janmashtami Celebration

17 August 2003, Sunday, Edison, NJ:

The Edison BAPS Temple celebrated the auspicious event of Shri Krishna Bhagwan’s birthday. The attendees were graced with the presence of Pujya Yagnavallabh Swami, Pujya Haridarshan Swami, Pujya Viveknidhi Swami and Pujya Gnanpriya Swami.

The festivities included kirtans, video darshan, speeches, and a dance. Pujya Viveknidhi Swami spoke on the divine events of Krishna Bhagwan. Then Pujya Gnanpriya Swami performed a parayan on the Bhagwat Gita outlining “Sarvadharmaan Paritajya.” The balaks performed a dance despite their Shraavan Maas vrats and upvaases.

24 August 2003, Sunday, Cleveland, OH:

The Cleveland BAPS mandir celebrated the joyous occasion of the birth of Shri Krishna Bhagwan.

The cultural program included kirtans extolling incidents and lilas of Krishna Bhagwan and also a drama depicting the friendship of Lord Krishna and Sudama. The themed speech given by the pujari of the mandir focused on the verse “Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge.” The evening concluded with a wonderful kirtan aaraadhnaa and the janmotsav celebration.

24 August 2003, Sunday, Jersey City, NJ:

The foremost festival of the Hindu month Shravan, Janmashtami, was celebrated with great joy at the Jersey City BAPS mandir.

The celebrations commenced with a Mahapuja in the morning. The evening cultural program included kirtans glorifying the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Swaminarayan and also included a kirtan performed by the Bal Mandal – “Baavaa Nand Tane Darbaar.” A parayan was given on the topic “Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge.” The highlight of the day’s events was a drama titled “Moksh Nu Dwaar” showing the importance of an ekantik sant in the quest for ultimate redemption. All who attended also received the added blessing of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s Aashirvachan.

17 August 2003, Sunday, San Jose, CA:

Devotees and a number of specially invited guests were blessed to be present at a grand and memorable celebration of Janmashtami at the San Jose BAPS mandir.

The highlight of the celebration was a drama titled “Paksh,” comprised of 12 characters, re-created the ancient Mahabharat event of Lord Krishna’s mediation with Kauravas on behalf of Pandavas, which was the prelude to the great war. During the theme speech of the celebration, Pujya Uttamcharan Swami delved upon the divine virtues of Lord Krishna and how one can achieve the same divinity with the grace of a true saint - Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Melodious kirtans including a ‘pad’ by the Kishore Mandal created a relevant atmosphere. The celebration concluded with the Krishna Janma hindola darshan.