Sri Gaura Purnima On Saturday, 19th March as it seemed like the moon found itself really close to Earth, the temple complex at ISKCON Bangalore was a witness to an elevated level of transcendental energy.
Sri Gaura Purnima, the Gaudiya Vaishanva festival celebrating the divine appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Navadwipa, was celebrated with much pomp and fervor. Several hundreds of devotees thronged the Sri Radha-Krishna Chandra temple in the early hours of dusk to be a part of the festivities.
The utsava Deities of Sri Nithai Gauranga comfortably enshrined on an elegantly decorated palanquin along with the Deity of Srila Prabhupada was taken around the temple complex in a pallaki utsava. Devotees sang kirtans blended with sweet melody of chimes and mridanga being played in praise of Their Lordships.
Gaura Purnima, which literally means Golden Full Moon, signifies that Lord Chaitanya made his appearance on a full moon day and is known to have blessed everyone with soothing moonlike rays of His teachings.
Click here to view the Photo Gallery of Sri Gaura Purnima 2011
Lord Chaitanya spread the congregation chanting of the Holy Name and taught that one can gain spiritual enlightenment by chanting the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare. Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
The pallaki utsava was followed by an elaborate abhisheka performed to Their Lordships. The abhisheka included massaging of the utsavar Deities of Sri Nithai Gauranga with sandalwood oil and white til paste after the sankalpa.
Their Lordships were then bathed with milk, curd, ghee and honey. Amidst devotees chanting the Holy name of the Lord, the abhisheka proceeded with Deities being bathed with fruit juices, tender coconut water etc. before the curtains were drawn. As the curtains were opened, a spectacular darshan of Their Lordships smeared with Turmeric paste wearing a tulasi garland was revealed.
A variety of dhupas and aratis of 14 different dipas including Ratha Dipa, Shesha Dipa, Kurma Dipa, Chakra Dipa, Mandala Dipa, Hamsa Dipa, Naga Dipa, Hanuma Dipa among others were offered to Their Lordships. After the dhupa arati, the Deities were bathed with water from 108 kalashas.
This was followed by a vibrant variety of flowers being showered on Sri Nithai Gauranga. Devotees then offered the vyanjana and chamara to their Lordships as the curtains drew to a close. The Deities were taken back to the main temple hall in a pallaki for the shayana arati. The festival concluded with a grand feast arranged for all the devotees who were a part of the celebrations.
Click here to view the Photo Gallery of Sri Gaura Purnima 2001 – 2010
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