Chinmaya Mission Guwahati celebrated Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna in an astounding and devotional manner on 18th August at Mission Kendra Premises.
The programme showcased various activities like Krishna Jhula
Decoration, Carnival for
Kids and guests, Naam Kirtan, Spiritual Music Performance, Devotional Cultural Dances, Janmashtami Aarti &
Kirtan, Gopal Sahasranaam Chanting, Rajopachar cultural programs and Prasad Distribution.
Lord Krishna's decorated Jhulan (swing) or adornment was also showcased where the deities
were decked in golden-coloured clothes and eye-catching ornaments. They were offered 56
specially-prepared food items. Devotees were offered the chance to sway the small figurines
of Divine Sri Radha Krishna on the jhula (swing).
In the Mission Premises at Sixmile, Rukminigaon, a Full-day celebration began with a Prabhat Feri at 7 am for One Hour where devotees along with Naam kirtan troupe took a procession in the nearby area, the procession was well greeted by nearby residents and passersby. Then after a hiatus the programme again restarted at 3 pm in the evening where kids' activities like Art competition and Fancy Dress competition, were organised on the school campus. Various stalls of food, gifts, accessories, books, clothes etc & Selfie Points in the open ground were installed with a carnival concept, with the idea to attract visitors, who can take jubilation of the festive surroundings. Simultaneously at 4:30 pm, a replica of Guru Axon was inaugurated by eminent erudite scholar Dr Rajendra Nath Sarma followed by an enlightening discourse on the cultural heritage and value of spiritual activities in society in reference to the importance of Guru Axon.Post that Naam Prasang was sung and all the naamatis were felicitated.
Then the cultural programme began at 6:30 pm with the lighting of lamps at Chinmaya Auditorium to mark the ceremonial beginning. Post that all dignitaries were invited on stage.
The President of Chinmaya Mission Guwahati Shri Amit Kr. Jain welcomed the gathering and congratulated the members for organising such a program and was optimistic that such programs will help in the spreading the message of Lord Krishna among the masses, further bringing us closer to our religion, spirituality, culture and ethos.Post the welcome address, our Resident Incharge Brahmacharini Ananya Chaitanya also shared some moral & inspirational stories of Lord Krishna and greeted everyone on the occasion of Janmashtami. Succeedingly, President felicitated Shri Partha Sarthi Mahanta, Jt Commissioner Guwahati Police as the chief guest with traditional Gamusa and Holy Geeta.
Post it, few words of wisdom were shared by Shri Shri Partha Sarthi Mahanta where Mr Mahanta Highlighted the connect of Krishna with Assam,he further cited that among the populace the traditional antidote in face of any difficulty is to say "Hare Krishna Or Hare Rama"itself shoes our deep connect with Lord Krishna. Then he further highlighted certain facts little known among people that Lord Krishna Visited Assam thrice and Goddess Rukmini was a resident of Sadiya, Assam. On a spiritual note Mr Mahanta said that Krishna enlightened the masses of the thin difference between being selfish and selfless, because of this his influence and love among was always transcendental.
Thereafter the program displayed various performances by artists where Devotional Performances of music and dance, Borgeet, Bhajans and instrumental compositions were staged.. The entire program was also showcased outside the auditorium through Large LED Screens and sound systems in Mission Playground for the audience and members outside.
On completion of the program a recess break of 45 minutes took place post that Gopal Sahasranaam Archana (chanting of Lord Krishna 1008 names) was done according to Vedic rituals. While chanting the names of Lord Krishna offerings of milk, curd, honey, water of Holy Rivers and flower petals were used for Abhishek. A list of offerings called Rajbhoga were served to the main Deities 5 times throughout the day consisting of various delicacy of sweets, rice preparations, savouries, varieties of parathas, puris, kachoris, various sabjis, flavoured milk and lassi, fruits, juices and drinks along with sweet butter and curd, and much more was offered.
Succeeding till midnight Rajopchar cultural program was conducted with various heart touching Kirtans, Bhajans and a talk by the Residential Incharge. Maha Aarti was performed at midnight post which Prasad was distributed among attendees and the celebration will come to a conclusion. Approximately 2000 devotees took part in Janmashtami Celebration and more came as visitors or passerbys, throughout the day and arrangements accordingly were made.
About Chinmaya Mission: Chinmaya Mission was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda. Guided by his vision, devotees all around the world formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and across its borders.
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