Krishna Janmashtami

The birth of Bhagwan Shri Krishna is celebrated at the Bengaluru Chetna Kendra with Vedic mantras — gau pujan, abhishek, naamarchan and tulsi arpan. The naamarchan in particular draws everyone in: name after name of the Lord offered aloud together, until the whole hall is chanting as one.

These are followed by the chhappan bhog — the traditional fifty-six offerings arranged before the Lord — and the mahaaarti, with the whole gathering standing together as the lamps are raised.

The evening flows on through bhajans and devotional dance, and then the Gora Kumhar naatika — the story of the potter-saint, depicting Krishna's Vitthal swaroop — performed by the parijans themselves. The celebration closes with the Shanti Path. Families and children are especially welcome; there is no fee and no registration.