The festival of Janmashtami was celebrated with an equivalent fervour and gaiety at Chinmaya Prerana Ashram on the 11th and 12th of August. Almost 130 families joined the virtual celebrations on both the days. On the 11th, the programme started at 6.30 pm with Live Aarti from Prerana, Shri Mahalakshmi Mandir. Chanting of chosen verses of the Narayaneeyam became the highlight of the programme as it was being chanted by Smt Jayalaxmi and Smt Mahalakshmi who are veterans in this field and continue to train hundreds of people. It was really divine to listen to them. After that Br. Tanmaya Chaitanyaji spoke about the miraculous birth of Kanhaiya and his beautiful journey to Gokul (Krishna Avatar). Later Kum. Kaydharini performed a Bharatnatyam dance. Then there was Hari Kirtan by Sevak Vasant Patilji followed by melodious bhajans by Asha Krishna. Soon after which Rajitha Nambiar presented a touching Mohiniattam dance based on a famous Krishna poem “Krishna Nee enne ariyilla”. There was naam japa and bhajans by Usha Ugrani. The programme was joined by people not just from India but also abroad. Shodasopachara pooja was performed and birth of the Lord was celebrated at 12.00 midnight with Aarthi Each participant experienced the joy of celebrating the festival together inspite of the distance.
The Nandustav or Gopalkala day was especially reserved for Balavihar children. It was filled with joyous activities like Quiz and Housie (56 names of Krishna). A pre-edited fancy dress video of many balavihar children enchanted everyone. It was really inspiring for all the sevikas and sevaks to see such and enthusiastic participation and support from all the parents. Each and every one was filled with joy and reverence for lord Krishna and overwhelmed to witness such a grand celebration even at this remote platform.
