Our celebrations

On the recommendation of the founding Acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Srila Prabhupada, we lavishly celebrate the Days of Apparitions of the main avatars of the Lord on earth, the so-called Vishnu-tattvas.

Traditions and celebrations

On such days, Srila Prabhupada used to organize lavish worship, large-scale kirtans, theatrical performances, readings, lectures, etc. He also organized a sumptuous vegetarian feast, which would be served according to the time of the coming of the avatara , and also according to the convenience of the participants.

On Lord Krishna's Apparition Day, for example, we fast until midnight and then we eat a feast of vegetarian dishes offered beforehand to the Lord. On Ramanavami, the Day of Lord Ramachandra's Apparition, we fast until noon, the time of the Lord's Apparition. On the Apparition Day of Lord Nrsihadeva, we fast until dusk, because the Lord in the form of the Lion Man appeared before His devotee Prahlad at dusk. On Radhashtami, the day of the appearance of the Lord's eternal beloved, His inner energy Hladini-shakti, Srimati Radharani, we fast until noon.

In the Krishna Consciousness Society movement, we cultivate love for God. We have learned His name, we have learned about His qualities, His acts from Srila Prabhupada, and therefore the Days of the Lord's Appearance are especially meaningful to us, they are important events for our spiritual life, when we strive to chant the Holy Name of the Lord more in the circle of like-minded people, try to satisfy our selfless sincere service to the Lord. Holidays are a powerful stimulus, awakening love for God, giving inspiration to serve God, to improve our spiritual practice, to deepen our relationship with the Lord and His devotees.

Days of festivals like Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Balarama Purnima, Radhashtami, Gaura Purnima - we receive special mercy from above, the greatest mercy. It is especially felt when we are engaged in some kind of service for a festival. We can help prepare the feast, clean and cut vegetables. We may help decorate before the feast or clean up after holiday events. Usually after active service on holidays we feel a great satisfaction in our souls from the joint service and spiritual fellowship, filled with spiritual emotions and impressions.

On holidays we unite, we feel that we are together, that we are one family, that we are all servants of Lord Krishna and we have one goal - to achieve love for God through selfless service to the Supreme Personality of God - Sri Krishna

t is safe to say that for a Vaishnava every day is a holiday. Chanting the Holy Name, contemplating the Deities on the altar, the process of devotional service by itself is already blissful and joyful.