Shri Krishna Bhagwan, a beloved deity for millions of Hindus worldwide, manifested on the Hindu calendrical day of Shravan Vad 8. This year, the festival celebrating his divine birth fell on Monday, August 26, 2024, and was marked with a variety of devotional festivities.
Celebrations at Aylesbury Hindu Temple
The Krishna Janmashtami celebration at Aylesbury Hindu Temple was a resounding success, attracting over 200 community members for an evening filled with devotion and cultural vibrancy. The event saw participation from all age groups, from toddlers to elders in their 80s, creating a truly inclusive atmosphere. A lively tokri procession, where participants carried Bal Krishna over their heads, was one of the highlights of the evening. Thames Valley Police representatives also joined in the festivities, reflecting the event’s community spirit.
Traditional games like matka phod and tug-of-war brought out the playful spirit of Krishna, with enthusiastic participation from both adults and children. Cultural dance and song performances cantered around Krishna’s life were met with enthusiastic applause. The event, free and open to all, concluded with prashad, where the community shared a meal and reflected on the joy and unity of the day.
Krishna Janmashtami at Neasden Temple
At BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London, also known as Neasden Temple, the birth of Bhagwan Shri Krishna was devoutly observed. Devotees and visitors offered prayers and gently swung the image of Shri Krishna Bhagwan placed on a ceremonial birth cradle. A grand offering of food (‘annakut’) was arranged before the shrines in the upper sanctum as part of the tradition. During the evening assembly, swamis spoke about the divine life and timeless teachings of Shri Krishna Bhagwan, relating them to modern-day scenarios. The festivities concluded with the janmotsav arti.
The Janmashtami Festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor also attracted over 50,000 visitors over two days, showcasing the widespread devotion and enthusiasm for celebrating Shri Krishna Bhagwan’s birth.
Navnat Janmashtami Mela
The Navnat Vanik Association hosted a vibrant Janmashtami Mela on August 18, 2024, drawing over 1,600 attendees throughout the day. The event, which was free and open to all, featured more than 66 stalls offering a diverse range of products and services including travel, education, Indian cuisine, fashion, jewellery, etc.
Notable guests included Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Colleen Sulivan, former Mayor of Harrow Cllr Nitinbhai Parekh, and CB Patel, editor-in-chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. The evening’s festivities included a special celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth, with his chariot being paraded from the Mandir to the stage. The rituals of breaking the Matki were performed by Bal Krishna and Nand Bhayo, and the audience enjoyed the Ras Lila, adding to the event's joyous atmosphere.
