This festival celebrates the appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is observed annually (in February – March) by Krishna devotees all over the world—especially in the area of Mayapur, India,the place where Mahaprabhu appeared in the year 1486.
Chandana-yatra is a festival that runs for three weeks. To keep the Deities cool during the time of scorching summer Sun, devotees apply sandalwood paste (chandana) over Sri Sri Radha Govinda and other Deities.
This commemorates the return of Lord Ramachandra to Ayodhya after He had conquered over Ravana and rescued Sita-devi. The Ramayana states: “Lord Ramachandra entered Ayodhya in the midst of a great festival.
The appearance day of Srila Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of ISKCON is celebrated as Vyasa Puja.Srila Prabhupada was born in 1896 on the day of Nandotsava (the next day of Janmashtami).
In present days, the word “jayanti” is loosely used for someone’s birthday. However, this word is not meant for mortal beings. What most people don’t know about Gita jayanti is, when Lord Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, it was not the first time that He spoke it. Gita jayanti is notthe birthday of Bhagavad Gita.
On Gopashtami day Nanda Maharaja performed a ceremony for the cows and Krishna (and His friends) in Vrindavan, as He reached the pauganda age. This was the day Nanda Maharaja sent his children Krishna and Balarama to herd the cows for the first time. It was a celebration meant only for men and boys.
Annakuta-mahotsava is a festival commemorating the day when the Lord lifted Govardhana hill toassure protection to His devotees. The Lord assumed a gigantic form and accepted all the offerings made by His devotees.
This kirtan (the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord) is performed publicly in thestreets of towns and villages. This is especially recommended by “Chaitanya Mahaprabhu” who used to perform it on the streets in order to increase one’s love for Lord Krishna.
This commemorates the return of Lord Ramachandra to Ayodhya after He had conquered over Ravana andrescued Sita-devi. The Ramayana states: “Lord Ramachandra entered Ayodhya in the midst of a great festival.
Jhulana-yatra is a festival to celebrate Radha Krishna’s pastime of swinging on a golden swing every day until Balarama-purnima.At Indore, Sri Sri Radha Govinda are decorated nicely and seated on a swing. All devotees wait patiently in a queue to swing Their Lordships.
Sri Narasimha Jayanti is the appearance day of Lord Narasimha, the half-lion half-man incarnation of Supreme Lord Krishna, who appeared to protect Prahlada from his demoniac father Hiranyakashipu.
Sri Nityananda Trayodashi is the auspicious appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu. The SupremeLord Sri Krishna appeared in Navadvipa as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to establish the Sankirtana Movement (the Yuga Dharma for this age of quarrel and hypocrisy).
Every year in the summer months, the devotees at ISKCON celebrate the boat festival of Their Lordships. This festival is connected to the pastimes of Lord Krishna and Srimati Radharani, who along with their friends would enjoy boat rides on the river Yamuna in the summers.
Radhashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the bright fortnight (shukla paksha ashtami) in the month of Bhadra (August – September). It is a very significant festival for the devotees.
Janmashtami is a grand celebration to commemorate the appearance of Lord Krishna on the eighth day of the Bhadrapada month. The celebrations at ISKCON Indore revolve around the all-encompassing Lord Krishna, and Janmashtami is perhaps the biggest of them all.
Traditionally, Holi announces the arrival of spring. It is also connected with a special pastime of Lord Krishna wherein He and his devotees playfully sprayed each other with colored water. Reenacted each year with zest, Holi is today an event that draws tens of thousands to ISKCON
Panihati Cida-Dahi festival is most celebrated among the prominent spiritual festivals in Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and culture.
Nagar means “street” and “sankirtan” means congregational chanting. Srila Prabhupada consideredpublic chanting to be the heart and soul of the Hare Krishna movement. In his correspondence to devotees.