~BRAHMOTSAVA in ISKCON Bangalore~ from 28th March – 8th April 2010

http://www.iskconbangalore.org/festivals/bramhotsava.htm


The Agamas or the Vedic literatures which describe the process of Deity worship in a temple recommend performance of Brahmotsava - a festival to commemorate the divine appearance of the Deities of that temple.

Generally, this is a grand eleven day long festival. Devotees at ISKCON Bangalore celebrate the merciful appearance of the Supreme Lord as the Deities, Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra. The Deity of the Lord in the temple is non-different from the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna. The devotees offer tasty foodstuffs, perform gorgeous aratis, decorate the Deities with gorgeous dresses, jewellery and flower garlands and so on. The devotees offer their humble prayers unto the Deity, to keep them always engaged in His service. The devotees also reveal their minds in front of the Deity and the Deity of the Lord also reciprocates. These are the wonderful dealings between the Deities and the devotees. Srila Rupa Gosvami has also written a comprehensive literature on Deity worship rules.

On the first day of the Brahmotsava, all the important demigods like Lord Brahma, Indra, Lord Shiva and so on are invited to participate in the festival. A flag bearing the picture of Garuda is hoisted (dhvaja arohana). This indicates the commencement of the festival. Every evening there is a gorgeous Pallakki utsava. Everyday the utsava Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra are decorated in different alankaras. Each Pallakki has its respective carriers (vahanas), insignia carriers and the fan bearers. The Lord mounts the vahana and goes or a pleasure ride on His carrier, along with His eternal consort and other devotees just like a king goes out in his chariot along with his entourage. The Deities are carried in the particular vahana to suit the alankara He is wearing on that day. When He is adorned in the Suryanarayana alankara, His vahana is Suryaprabha vahana; and in HisSeetharama Pattabhisheka alankara, His vahana is Hanumad vahana and so on.

Various performances of traditional dance styles, depicting the pastimes of Lord Krishna, are enacted in the evenings for the pleasure of the Lord. After the cultural performances, the Deities receive dolotsava seva, during which the utsava vigrahas are swung on a decorated swing.

Apart from these festivities, Brahma Rathotsava, Kalyanotsava and Churanabhisheka are also performed as part of the eleven day festival. During the Brahma Rathotsava, the utsava vigrahas of Radha Krishna ride on a chariot or ratha. Churanabhisheka is the ceremonial bath during which They are bathed in turmeric paste and other auspicious items.

The festival concludes with the dhvaja avarohana, lowering of the flag of Garuda.

To view ISKCON Bangalore Brahmotsava 2009 Picture Gallery, please click on the below link:
http://www.iskconbangalore.org/festivals/gallery/bhramostava/bramhotasava2009.htm

Paying Obeisances

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave namah.

I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.

Obeisances to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada




nama om vishnu-padaya
krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
shrimate bhaktivedanta-
svamin iti namine
namas te sarasvate deve
gaura-vani-pracharine
nirvishesha-shunyavadi-
pashcatya-desha-tarine

Pancha-Tattva Maha Mantra

Jaya Shri Krishna Chaitanya Prabhu Nityananda

Shri Advaita Gadadhara Shrivasadi Gaura Bhakta Vrinda

(Left to Right):
Advaita, Nityananda, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Gadadhara, and Srivasa

Hare Krishna Maha-mantra

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

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