200 kg of silver to adorn the Garbha Griha; Lord Krishna to appear in a Kalhans floral bungalow
Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report
August 30th Mathura: Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi is preparing for an elaborate celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami on September 4, with a series of special religious and cultural programmes planned for devotees.
This year, the celebrations will feature an especially grand presentation of Shri Krishna. On the occasion of His appearance, Shri Krishna will be seated in a magnificent Kalhans (swan) floral bungalow, while the sacred Garbha Griha, associated with the prison cell of Kansa, will be decorated with approximately 200 kilograms of silver.
The preparations are already underway at the Janmabhoomi complex.
According to Kapil Sharma, Secretary of Shri Krishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, the decoration, attire and ritual arrangements have been specially designed to make the festival a memorable spiritual experience for devotees. The organisers describe this year’s celebration as marking the 5,253rd birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.
Panchratna Attire for Thakurji
Shri Krishna will be adorned in a specially prepared Panchratna attire, incorporating representations of five auspicious and sacred symbols—Kamadhenu, Panchajanya Shankha, Amrit Kalash, Airavata and Kalpavriksha.
The elaborate attire has been crafted with zari, silk and replicas of precious gems. Thakurji will also wear a gem-studded crown, a flute and a Navratna-studded necklace as part of His special adornment.
Goddess Yogamaya will be adorned with a divine golden crown.
The Garbha Griha will receive an elaborate silver makeover involving approximately 200 kg of silver. The throne, pichhwai and divine padukas of the Ashtabhuja Maa Yogamaya shrine have also been prepared in pure silver, weighing approximately one and a quarter maunds.
A newly crafted silver lotus will be used for the birth Mahabhishek, with Shri Gopal seated upon it.
For the convenience of devotees, arrangements have also been made to provide views of the Garbha Griha through large LED screens.
Midnight Appearance of the Lord
The main religious programme will commence at 10 pm on September 4 with the worship of Shri Ganesh, the Navagrahas and other deities.
The invocation of the Lord will be performed through Sahasrarchan, involving the offering of 1,008 lotus flowers.
The sequence of the midnight celebrations will be:
11:00 pm: Sahasrarchan begins.
11:59 pm: Doors close ahead of the Prakatya Darshan.
12:00–12:10 am: Prakatya Darshan and Aarti.
12:10–12:30 am: Mahabhishek.
12:30–12:40 am: Birth Mahabhishek of Thakurji seated on the silver lotus.
12:45–12:50 am: Shringar Aarti.
1:55–2:00 am: Shayan Aarti.
The morning celebrations will begin with Mangala Aarti at 5:30 am, accompanied by shehnai and nagada. The Panchamrit Abhishek will be performed at 8 am.
Devotees will be permitted to enter the Janmabhoomi complex from 5:30 am until 1:30 am.
Krishna Leelas from September 1
The festive atmosphere at Janmabhoomi will begin several days before Janmashtami. Krishna Leelas will be presented from September 1 to 5, between 7 pm and 11 pm.
The performances will be presented by Rasacharya Swami Shri Devakinandan and his Ras Mandali.
Special bhog will include laddus prepared from dry fruits, kuttu, gond and mingi. Following the birth Mahabhishek, prasad will be distributed to devotees near the exit.
Special Arrangements for Pilgrims
With a large influx of devotees expected, special arrangements have been made for their convenience and security.
On Janmashtami, devotees will enter through Govind Dwar (Gate No. 3) and exit through Gate No. 1, the main gate.
Mobile phones, bags, matchboxes, bidis, cigarettes, blades and other prohibited articles will not be allowed inside the complex. Shoe and luggage facilities will be established at several locations, including near Roopam Cinema, Shri Garteshwar Temple and opposite Radha Park near Garteshwar Temple.
A lost-and-found centre will also be established near the vehicle parking area close to Gate No. 1.
Grand Shobhayatra from Railway Crossing
A major new feature this year will be the Shri Krishna Shobhayatra on September 3.
For the first time, the grand procession carrying Thakurji’s special attire, ornaments and adornment materials will begin from the railway crossing at 5:30 pm and proceed towards the Janmabhoomi complex.
The procession will also carry sacred prasad and offerings received from Kashi Vishwanath Dham, as well as gifts received from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Ayodhya Dham. These will be ceremonially offered to Thakurji.
With its combination of traditional rituals, floral artistry, silver craftsmanship, devotional music and Krishna Leelas, this year’s Janmashtami at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi promises to be a grand celebration of Bhakti, tradition and the eternal birth of Shri Krishna.
