Mathura, August 16- Mathura Vrindavan temples are gearing up for a grand Janmashtami celebration with unique rituals on the 16th of August this year
In Vrindavan’s ancient Radha Raman temple, Janmashtami is celebrated in the morning, “ Dinesh Chandra Goswami sewayat Sri Radha Raman temple Vrindavan said. The morning Janamasthmi celebration is in line with the appearance of Lord Radha Ramanji, which happens at the same time. “Why wake up a child at night,” he added.
A special Gur( jaggery)and til (sesame seeds)Prasad is offered to god, which is an ancient ritual. Later, 56 types of food, called chappal bhog, are offered to god,he said.
It is believed that “Jo Kare mangla woh kabhi na hoye kangla” those who attend Mangla Arti, remain happy and wealthy, he said. Many devotees wish to attend Mangla Arti for this reason, he added.
Due to heavy rush, even this year, the entry for Mangla Arti has been restricted to 500 people, Gyanendra Goswami said.
The tradition was started by Swami Haridas ji, and the temple is following that tradition, said scholar and Sewayat Prahalad Vallabh Goswami.
Mangla Arti is not performed on other days as it is believed that Shri Bankey Bihariji daily performs Raas at Nidhivan at that time, after which he takes rest and get up late,he added.
Janamasthmi Ritual at the temple starts with Maha Abhishek of Shri Banke Bihari Ji sitting in ashta Kamal with Sehestra Dara, gangajal, Yamuna jal, kesar jal, fruit juices, followed by several kilos of milk, curd, Gulab Jal, Kesar, Honey, ghee, and powder sugar (bhura ), Prahalad Vallabh Goswami said.
“Potra, the cloth which Lord Banke Bihari wears at the time of birth, is distributed among devotees,” Gyanendra Kishor Goswami said. Bihari ji is dressed in yellow clothes, and the temple is decorated with yellow colour, he added
Bhav (emotions) are an essential element of Bhakti in Brijbhoomi, he said. A curd mixed with turmeric is used to show that the child Krishna has done potty. “chi chi, as called by sewayats, is then thrown on devotees in a ritual called dadhikandha,” he added.
The special bhog called Pak, which includes Dhaniya (coriander)and dry fruit Panjeeri,ladoo and katli, is offered to god, Goswami said.
The temple opens at 2 am for Arti and remains open till 5 am, and then reopens at 7.30 am again on Janamasthmi day,Gyanendra Goswami said.
At the Pustamarg sect ancient Dwarikadeesh temple in Mathura, Lord Krishna is worshipped in his childhood stage, fondly called by devotees as Rajadhiraj, temple media and legal advisor Rakesh Tiwari said.
“Ajanme ke janm,” as called by locals, the temple has made Elaborate arrangements for the birth celebration of Lord Krishna, he added..
The temple performs Mahaabhishek of Shalegram Ji in the morning, while Mahaabhishek of Dwarikadheesh Ji is performed at midnight, media and legal advisor Rakesh Tiwari said.
The temple is decorated with lights and flowers, he said.
The celebration at Goverdhan’s Danghati temple starts at midnight with the mahabhishek of Thakur ji Maharaj with several kilos of Milk, curd, Bhura(powdered sugar), Honey, ghee and several herbs with chanting of “ Nand ghar Anand Bhayo Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki”, sewayat Pawan Kaushik said.
The temple will be open for Abhishek for devotees from morning to afternoon, he said. Girraj ji gives darshans in a phool Bangla in the evening, he added.
Hundreds of foreign devotees are expected to join the Janmashtami celebration at Vrindavan’s Chandrodaya temple, Abhishek Mishra, PRO, Said.
The temple, when completed, will be the tallest in the world, he added.
The celebration will start with Abhishek of Thakur Ji, with recitation of Harinam Sankirtan and sacred hymns and chants from ancient Vedic texts, he said.
The temple will have a Bhajan singing, by famous Bhajan Singer SWATI Mishra, Abhishek Mishra said.
