Janmastami, the sacred occasion of Lord Krishna's appearance, (celebrated on August 30th this year) is a special day that is extremely powerful and inspirational for bhakti practitioners. Devotees often remember their early Janmastami festivals as a foundational experience. Here, three generations of devotees recall some of their favorite Janmastami memories:
Ksamesvari Dasi, 25, USA:
One of my favorite parts of Janmastami has always been going through Village of Vrindavan in Alachua, where everyone recreates Vrindavan Dhama with their home deities. My friends and I would go through when I was younger, around 12. It was really nice, because it was something that engaged us. It was my first time learning about the different temples in Vrindavan too.
I also liked the kirtan at the end of Village of Vrindavan in Lord Jagannath’s tent. I remember Mother Yadu there, and Visvambhar leading. Then everyone would stand up and start moving the kirtan toward the temple room, and we would try to run ahead, so that we could get a good spot and be near the front when the curtains opened. That’s what I remember – that exciting feeling of trying to get into the temple room and get your spot. The kirtan’s really ecstatic, and everyone’s waiting for the final Darshan of Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar at the midnight arati.
I always feel very grateful having grown up in Alachua and being able to attend Janmastami there. It feels very special.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/three-generations-share-their-favorite-janmastami-memory,7977/
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