Why an Utsavam or a festival

An Utsavam is an occasion for renewal

Every year we hold three Festivals that have from 2011 gained immense awareness and perhaps a committed following. Important as they are, as events that bring the Krishna tatvam, the true consciousness that human beings need to engender, and the endless joys of bhakthi and rededication to a good clean life is the intent of these activities. We hold three festaivals - Sri Krishna Utsavam, Chidagni - the Fire of Consciousness Festival and the Jayadeva Festival.

Why a Sri Krishna Utsavam ( As articulated by Shrihariprasad Swami)

The learned know that an Utsavam has special meaning and significance. An Utsavam is an occasion for renewal: for the Vigraham in the temple to have its powers renewed; for the devotees to renew their faith and devotion to the Lord and for societal ties to be renewed.

It is for these reasons that the Rishis had decided that Utsavams should be held at temples regularly. The word Utsavam also means a “joyous occasion” or celebration and the joyful mood of the devotees influence even those who are unhappy. The chanting of the Vedas etc, the bhajans, creates spiritual vibrations, which help turn the mind towards Bhakti. The musical instruments, the firecrackers etc., are planned to create sound vibrations that drive away evil spirits and draw Daivic forces to the temple.

It is this spirit and context that our Sri Krishna Utsavam will be celebrated.

And why Sri Krishna if you are still wondering? Ironical as it may sound we seem to be considering Sri Krishna only as a God beyond all suffering and Happiness. We are intent on only praying to Him failing to realize His life in this world. Sri Krishna lived in this world as one of us and without divorcing Himself from the happiness and sufferings of the world. After an incident in which He had shown His Divine powers, the gopas approached Him and said, “ we know not if you are a Devaa, Yaksha or some other Divine being. Whoever you are, do you bless and protect us? " Sri Krishna got angry and said that “ I am just one of you and if you wish my presence amongst you, then treat me as just one of you.” This is what we have forgotten all these centuries.

Sri Krishna was and is one of us. Realizing His glory and filling ourselves with devotion to Him we attain His protection and blessings. But by understanding Him and His teachings, we attain to happiness both in this world and the next. Our lives get transformed and our interactions with other beings, whether human or otherwise become filled with light and compassion.

It is this Sri Krishna who is the focus of our Utsavam.

(Our first Sri Krishna Utsavam was for 13 days. And there is an endearing and good reason for that too. Our Utsavam will bridge the Jayanthi of our revered Sathguru, Her Holiness The Sathguru Swami Gnanananda Sarasvathi with its culmination on Krishna Jayanthi (9th August to 21st August, 2011). The Sri Vishnu Mohan Foundation through this Utsavam wished to help us revisit and renew our eternal bond with Sri Krishna, the prince of Mathura and Dwaraka. Get yet one more glimpse into His teachings and life. Reinvigorate the timeless usefulness of gurubhakthi. Traditional pravachanams will be combined with celebrations of the life and teachings of Sri Krishna in song and dance).