Krishna Janmashtami Celebration
in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, on 28th August 2013

Krishna Puja by Suresh Panditji and Sanjay Panditji on the occasion of the beginning of Krishna Janmashtami.

Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, was celebrated on 28th August 2013 in different Temples of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas in a very devoted way.

The most extensive celebration of this auspicious event took place in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, where a beautiful big Altar had been established by the Priests. The Altar consisted of a photo of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati, of lovely pictures of Lord Krishna along with Radha, and a swinging cradle, where a cute Murti of Krishna Gopalji had been placed.

This attractive looking Altar and its surroundings were decorated with colourful glittering clothes, fresh flowers and leaves and shining Deepas, which were glowing beautifully in the night time.

The Omkarananda Ashram Priests started worshipping Lord Krishna with special Pujas and they were also reciting the Vishnu Sahasranama, the thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu.

A splendid lightful Yajnashala in front of the vibrating Krishna Altar.

In the meantime more and more Devotees joined this Celebration, which became very lively, when the Priests, along with all the Devotees started singing Krishna Bhajans, rendering the area of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir vibrant with joy.

A lovely Krishna Arati was performed and wonderful sweets and delicious fresh butter, decorated with Tulsi-leaves, were offered to Krishna-Gopalji.

But the Celebration for Lord Krishna did not end here.

Arati performed by Swami Vishveshwarananda at the beautifully decorated Altar of Gopala Krishna.

Krishnaji, joyfully sitting in His Jhula, enjoys the flowers offered by Kumari Somashekhari.

Kumari Neha lifts the audience into the spiritual world of the pure Divine Worship through the highly mystical dance, when she reads out the meaning of each dance item, performed by Kumari Somashekhari.

The nice Master of Ceremony of this event, Kumari Neha, informed all Devotees and Guests, that a special dance-performance in honour of Lord Krishna will take place in the big Temple-Hall of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, for which everybody is welcome.

So all honourable Guests and Devotees took their seat in the Mandapam, ready to watch the devotional dance-programme.

Among the prominent Guests and Devotees, taking part in this event, were Shri R.S.T. Sai, the Chairman and Managing Director of THDC IL ("Tehri Hydro Development Corporation, India Limited", which is a Joint Venture of Govt. of India and Govt. of U.P.), who, in spite of holding such a big position, came as a humble Devotee, wearing a beautiful traditional Dhoti and Kurta, Prof. Ramkumar Sharma and Dr. Aditya Gautam, Director OIMT (Omkarananda Institute of Management and Technology).

Guru-Bhakti-Ratna Kumari Somashekhari, who has specialized in the Temple-style of Indian Classical Dance, performed four different dances in honour of Lord Krishna, in which different aspects of Lord Krishna were shown and adored.

One could feel, that Somashekhari was in the consciousness of a higher Self and full of Joy, when she performed in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi.

Neha explained the meaning of each dance in English to the audience.

Great dance performances were offered by Somashekhari on this holy occasion.

After the dance-programme Shri Sukumarji, Trustee Omkarananda Ashram, greeted all the Devotees, who had assembled to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, and then he read out a short speech on the Glory of Lord Krishna and the importance of the Bhagawad Gita in our present time.

Then it was time for the Vote of Thanks and Blessings by the President of Omkarananda Ashram, Shri Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati.

Swamiji immediately won the hearts of all the Devotees and Guests with his kind, spontaneous and joyous way of addressing them. He emphasized, that it is most wonderful to celebrate Lord Krishna's Birthday, but one should not forget Lord Krishna and His teachings once the Celebrations are over. Swami Vishveshwaranandaji also appealed to the Devotees, that one should not only pray to Lord Krishna, but also sincerely live according to His teachings.

Swami Vishveshwaranandaji, after his thrilling speech, did not forget to thank all, who actively participated in making Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas a grand success, and he honoured all of them with flower malas. Swamiji also garlanded the honourable Guest, Shri R.S.T. Sai, Chairman and Managing Director THDC, and offered him a nice shawl.

The honourable Chief Guest Mr. R.S.T. Sai, Chairman and Managing Director THDC,
received Thanks and Blessings from Swami Vishveshwarananda.

When everybody thought, that now the function was finally completed, Shri Swami Pragyanandaji, a great saintly Vedic Scholar and Member of Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas, spontaneously went to Swami Vishveshwarananda Saraswati to thank him and garland him as a sign of Gratitude on behalf of all Members and Devotees of Omkarananda Ashram. Pragyanandaji mentioned that Swami Vishveshwaranandaji always thinks of others and always thanks and honours others, but he is the one who has definitely deserved the biggest Thanks!

These words were very much appreciated and applauded by the audience!

On this happy note Swami Vishveshwaranandaji informed, that wonderful and delicious Krishna Prasad is waiting for everybody.

Later on some Reporters from Television Channels took short interviews from Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari concerning Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations in Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

After the exciting Krishna Janmashtami Celebration TV crews from well-known channels
are interviewing Swami Vishveshwarananda and Kumari Somashekhari.