Bhakti Bliss

The following festivals are celebrated in all the ashrams of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj:

January 1, 2010
New Years Celebration

Shri Maharaj Ji celebrates the New Years Eve and New Year’s day at Rangeeli Mahal Ashram, Barsana, India. A grand dawat (feast) is being organised for the public on New Years Day.

January 14, 2010
Jagadguru Diwas

On this day in 1957 Shri Maharaj Ji was proclaimed Jagadguru of this age in Banaras by the Kashi Vidvat Parishad.

January 20, 2010
Vasant Panchmi

This festival marks the beginning of the Spring season, when the mustard fields are blooming with vibrant yellow flowers, creating a joyous atmosphere everywhere. In Braj, starting from the time of Vasant Panchmi, devotees begin to sing Holi songs in the Temples.

February 12, 2010
Maha Shivaratri

The festival of Shivratri or Maha Shivratri falls on the 13th day of the month of Phalgun (February-March). From early morning devotees of Lord Shiva start flocking to the temples. A daylong fast, a night of devotion, and singing of sacred songs mark this festival.

February 28, 2010
Gauranga Dev Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Jayanti

The day that commemorates the descension of Shri Radha Rani as Gaurang Dev Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

March 1, 2010
Holi

Holi marks the victory of Bhakta Prahlad over the forces of evil. The festival of Holi or Festival of colors (the throwing and smearing coloured powder and squirting coloured water on one another) is celebrated on the day after the full moon in March.

March 24, 2010
Ram Navmi

Shri Ramnavami occurs on the ninth day (navami). The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Rama.

July 25, 2010
Guru Poornima

Guru Poornima, the full-moon day when devotees honor their Guru and remember the eternal relationship that a soul has to the supreme power of grace called ‘guru tattva.’

Hariyali Teej

Hariyali Teej is celebrated after Guru Poornima. At this time the fields of Braj are a lush green color after the rains. In main shrine of Temples swings are placed for the Deities to swing upon.

August 14, 2010
Nag Panchami

The festival of Nāga Panchami is celebrated by Hindus to pay respect to the Nāgas. The five Nāgas worshipped on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Vāsuki, Takshak, Karkotaka and Pingala.

August 24, 2010
Raksha Bandhan

Rakcha Bandhan or Rakhi is celebrated on the full moon day of Shravan (August). Rakcha means ‘protection’ and bandhan means ‘to tie a knot.’ As a social occasion it promotes good relations among family and friends, especially brothers and sisters. In the spiritual sense a Spiritual Master ties a decorated thread around the wrist of the devotee which signifies his caring for his devotee.

September 1, 2010
Shri Krishna Janmashtami

Shri Krishna Janmashtmi marks the appearance day of Bhagwan Shri Krishna, who descended on this earth at midnight of the eighth waning moon which falls in August/September.

September 15, 2010
Shri Radhashtami

Shri Raseshwari Radha Rani, who descended in Barsana 5,000 years ago, appeared in the early morning on the eighth moon day, 15 days after Janmashtmi.

October 17, 2010
Vijayadashmi (Dushera)

The day of Dushera marks the triumph of Lord Ram over the demon king, Ravan. Dushera is celebrated at JKP Bhakti Dham, which marks the beginning of the annual Sadhana Program.

October 22, 2010
Sharad Poornima

Sharat Poornima is the full moon night when Shri Radha Krishna revealed the supreme bliss of maharas 5,000 years ago. In 1922, Shri Maharaj ji appeared on this night in Mangarh.

November 5, 2010
Deepavali /Diwali

Diwali is celebrated about 20 days after Dashehra which falls in October-November. This festival commemorates Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya after completing His 14-year exile. Many Braj leelas of Diwali from the time of Shri Radha Krishna also are remembered at this time. The grace that devotees experience at this most auspicious time is further magnified as we celebrate the birthday of Padma Devi, our beloved divine mother, Amma Ji.

November 6, 2010
Govardhan Puja
The term “Govardhana’ has two meanings. The word “Go’ means cows, and “vardhana’ means nourishment. In the other meaning “Go’ stands for senses and “vardhana’ means to increase the diversion of the senses towards Sri Krishna.

November 7, 2010
Bhaiyadooj

Bhai dooj is also known as Bhaiya dooj tikka festival and is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. It is a festival marked to celebrate the love and affection and the special bond between a brother and sister.

November 21, 2010
Kartik Poornima

Also known as Tripurari Poornima, Kartik Poornima is a Hindu holy day celebrated on the full moon day or the fifteenth lunar day of Kartik (November-December). Lord Shiv as he killed a demon called Tipurasura on this day. This is also the descension day of Shri Matsya avatar. It is also the birthday of Vrinda, the personification of the Tulsi plant. On this day, Shri Krishna earned the name “Damodara” when mother Yasodha tried to tie Him to a large motar for being naughty. It is also the last day of the month long Sadhana Programme which started on Vijayadasami.

© Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat and Bhakti Bliss, 2009