|| श्री ||
Every year Lord Krishna's birth anniversary is celebrated across the world by his devotees as Gokulashtami, also known as Shri Krishna Janamashtami or simply Janamashtami. This year's Janamashtami proved to be quite exiting for me. An unsuspecting individual receives an invitation to a celebrity's birthday party, the celebrity being Krishna and the individual being your's truly. No, I'm not exaggerating! I had absolutely no plans to even step outside my home and yet ended up being present at 3 different celebrations!
Every year I'd sit at home fasting and would end my fast after Aarti at midnight. Boring, right?
The day had almost passed pretty much the same way this time too. At dusk while fidgeting with my phone, I started sending messages to close friends, wishing them 'happy gokulashtami'. One of them replied asking if I'd be interested in visiting the ISKCON temple at Juhu, Mumbai. Within next few minutes we were standing in a long Que outside the temple premises, inching our way towards the inside. Smiles are infectious, especially in a crowd soaked in devotion and the place seemed to be struck by an epidemic of it! Its difficult to explain the magic of collective consciousness; you have to be there to experience it. All I can say is that for me It was difficult not to smile.
At the Gurukul, it wasnt just puja, but a series of mesmerising performances by few of the best classical music talents in the country! As I stood in a crowd of highly talented individuals, I felt pleasantly lost. Just when I was wondering how under qualified I was as compared to the crowd around me, I saw Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma entering the gates! soon he was seated next to Pt. Chaurasia. These are the personalities I've grown up watching on TV - the Living Legends of Indian Classical Music! (I know,Too many exclamation marks in one small paraghaph.)
It was yet to be 12 am - when I'd break my fast and I was lost in the music when I spotted actor Kanwaljit Singh, dressed in a simple white Kurta-payjama, listening to the music recital, standing spellbound near the gate. Such humility!
Right at 12 am, we joyfully made noise - Krishna was born.
The next morning is celebrated as Gopal Kala or Dahi Handi in Mumbai. All day long Bands of Govindas in truck fulls rally around the city making human pyramids to reach and break Dahi handi tied so high that a fall from this height could kill a man! Its a lot like an extreme version of Pinata, No?
Again, I had no plans to visit any place where I'd be able to witness these feats! Late afternoon I realised that I needed to buy a few things from market. The nearest was Irla. On my way, I encountered kids from nearby slums dancing. Their Dahi Handi was tied just a little more than a floor high - comparatively safe. The smiles on their faces were just priceless.
It is an amazing sight to see these Govindas try to reach the Dahi Handi. They try, they fall and again they try, without a bit loss in their enthusiasm. We can all learn a thing or two from this challenging endeavor.
I have a lot more photographs and experiences of Dahi Handi to share but I limit myself for now with a promise to post them in the next blog.
All in all this year Gokulastami proved to be my best ever. If you are in Mumbai around this time of the year (Aug end - Sept), It will be a good idea to stick around for a while, for this is the time when Festive season actually begins here.
|| Hare Krishna ||
Every year Lord Krishna's birth anniversary is celebrated across the world by his devotees as Gokulashtami, also known as Shri Krishna Janamashtami or simply Janamashtami. This year's Janamashtami proved to be quite exiting for me. An unsuspecting individual receives an invitation to a celebrity's birthday party, the celebrity being Krishna and the individual being your's truly. No, I'm not exaggerating! I had absolutely no plans to even step outside my home and yet ended up being present at 3 different celebrations!
Every year I'd sit at home fasting and would end my fast after Aarti at midnight. Boring, right?
The day had almost passed pretty much the same way this time too. At dusk while fidgeting with my phone, I started sending messages to close friends, wishing them 'happy gokulashtami'. One of them replied asking if I'd be interested in visiting the ISKCON temple at Juhu, Mumbai. Within next few minutes we were standing in a long Que outside the temple premises, inching our way towards the inside. Smiles are infectious, especially in a crowd soaked in devotion and the place seemed to be struck by an epidemic of it! Its difficult to explain the magic of collective consciousness; you have to be there to experience it. All I can say is that for me It was difficult not to smile.
The decorations inside were breathtaking - the lights, the Flowers, the Colours and the Music! The sight of Hare Krishnas dancing with joy never fails to fill beholders' hearts with bliss. With hands joined together, I stood in front of the Deity of Radha-Krishna, mesmerised. BUMP! and I was back to reality. For a moment I had forgotten that I was standing in a huge crowd eager to catch a glimpse of the Deities.
Standing in Que again for Prashad, I received a call from my Guru, who is a student of Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, inviting me to the puja at the Gurukul. I jumped with joy - I was invited to the puja at Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia's Vrindavan Gurukul!
Next stop - Vrindavan Gurukul, JVPD, Mumbai.
At the Gurukul, it wasnt just puja, but a series of mesmerising performances by few of the best classical music talents in the country! As I stood in a crowd of highly talented individuals, I felt pleasantly lost. Just when I was wondering how under qualified I was as compared to the crowd around me, I saw Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma entering the gates! soon he was seated next to Pt. Chaurasia. These are the personalities I've grown up watching on TV - the Living Legends of Indian Classical Music! (I know,Too many exclamation marks in one small paraghaph.)
The next morning is celebrated as Gopal Kala or Dahi Handi in Mumbai. All day long Bands of Govindas in truck fulls rally around the city making human pyramids to reach and break Dahi handi tied so high that a fall from this height could kill a man! Its a lot like an extreme version of Pinata, No?
Again, I had no plans to visit any place where I'd be able to witness these feats! Late afternoon I realised that I needed to buy a few things from market. The nearest was Irla. On my way, I encountered kids from nearby slums dancing. Their Dahi Handi was tied just a little more than a floor high - comparatively safe. The smiles on their faces were just priceless.
Moving ahead, I was soon caught in Traffic Jam; but right then I saw one of the most beautiful sights ever! The Kid climbed up his Father's shoulders with giggles.
Soon I was at Irla Market, Andheri (west) Mumbai and discovered that the Dahi Handi here was 3 floors high! It would take a human pyramid of atleast 7 to 8 layers to reach this height. Time to stand in the crowd and enjoy!
Every troop gets only one chance to break the Dahi Handi. They practice Hard for this day. The highest prize money this year in Mumbai Dahi Handi was Rs 2 crore! Here, It was 2 lakhs.
I have a lot more photographs and experiences of Dahi Handi to share but I limit myself for now with a promise to post them in the next blog.
All in all this year Gokulastami proved to be my best ever. If you are in Mumbai around this time of the year (Aug end - Sept), It will be a good idea to stick around for a while, for this is the time when Festive season actually begins here.
|| Hare Krishna ||
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