Churna Abhisheka | Sri Brahmotsava 2025 | ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill | 22.04.2025

All the utsava vigraha Deities of our temple will receive a special Churna Abhisheka, a ceremonial bathing with sacred items and turmeric water accompanied by chanting of Vedic mantras and grand kirtans. About Sri Brahmotsava Sri Brahmotsava is an annual festival celebrated for 13 days in the month of Chaitra (April – May) to commemorate the appearance of the Supreme Lord in a Deity form on Hare Krishna Hill to receive the services of His devotees. In 1997, the Supreme Lord descended on Hare Krishna Hill to bestow His mercy upon us, and this occasion is celebrated as Brahmotsava. This year will be the 28th annual Brahmotsava of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra. The Lord cannot be perceived through our physical senses as He possesses a spiritual form of sat-cit-ananda (eternity, knowledge and bliss). In order to perceive the Lord’s spiritual form, we must be situated on a pure spiritual platform free from all material contaminations of the three gunas (sattva, raja, tamas). Currently, we may still be possessing material impurities. Still, we have the opportunity to serve the Lord in His Deity form and purify ourselves to develop devotion to the Supreme Lord. Sri Brahmotsava Celebrations at ISKCON Hare Krishna Hill The Brahmotsava festival begins with Dhvaja Arohana, hoisting the Garuda-dhvaja (flag carrying the emblem of Garuda). During this ceremony, devotees invite various demigods (devatas) to come and participate in the festival. On the evening before Dhvaja Arohana, the Garuda-dhvaja is worshipped and a Vainateya Homa is performed. Vishwaksena-aradhana, dvara-puja, mrit-sangrahana, ankurarpana and raksha-bandhana are the other major rituals on that evening. Every day, the utsava Deities of Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra are adorned in various special alankaras and taken in a procession accompanied by joyous kirtans around the temple on different vahanas such as Ashva Vahana, Gaja Vahana, Ananta Shesha Vahana, Hamsa Vahana, and more. Following the Vahanotsava, the celebration continues with cultural programs by esteemed artists offering Sangita Seva (musical concerts), Natya Seva (theatrical plays), or Nritya Seva (dance performances) for the pleasure of Their Lordships. The celebrations conclude with Dolotsava seva during which the utsava Deities will be swung gently on a beautifully decorated swing, accompanied by melodious devotional songs. Maha Pallakki, Brahma Ratha, Churnabhisheka, Theppotsava, and Chakra-snana are the other major events during the festival. The festival culminates with Dhvaja Avarohana (lowering the Garuda flag) and maha-samprokshana. We invite you to participate in these grand festivities and receive the blessings of Their Lordships. For more details, visit: https://www.iskconbangalore.org/sri-b...