The Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish Temple is popularly known as ISKCON Dwarka, is gearing up for its annual Janmashtami celebrations from August 15 to 17, 2025. Organisers expect over ten lakh devotees to join the festivities at the West Delhi temple, making it one of the largest Janmashtami events in Delhi NCR. The grand programme will feature devotional music (bhajan), cultural performances and traditional rituals with the celebrations culminating in the birth anniversary of ISKCON founder A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada.
Cultural and Devotional Line-Up
The three day festival promises a rich blend of spiritual and cultural experiences. Visitors can enjoy:
- Dance performances by Dr. Yasmin Singh’s troupe
- Rock kirtans and a special “Bhakti Concert” by celebrity child singers
- Inter-school theatre festival showcasing spiritual themes
The temple will also host continuous kirtans, bhajans, and drama performances to keep the festive spirit alive.
Main Janmashtami Rituals (August 16)
The highlight of the celebration will be Janmashtami Day on August 16. The day will begin with Mangala Arti at dawn, followed by Kalash Abhishekam and Maha Abhishekam. At midnight devotees will gather for the Midnight Maha Arti, marking the divine appearance of Lord Krishna.
Special arrangements include:
- Prasadam distribution to thousands of devotees, including a 200-kg cake dedicated to Lord Krishna
- Over one lakh special bhogs offered during the festival
- A waterproof tent with 50,000 seating capacity to ensure uninterrupted celebrations, even in case of rain
Shri Gaur Prabhu, Co-Vice President of ISKCON Dwarka, emphasised that Janmashtami is a celebration of devotion and unity. “We have made special arrangements to ensure that every visitor, regardless of age or ability, can participate comfortably,” he said.
Facilities for elderly and differently-abled devotees include:
- Separate queues for easy access
- Over 20 wheelchairs with volunteer assistance
- Trained helpers for smooth movement across the venue
To manage the massive crowd, over 10,000 ISKCON volunteers, along with Delhi Police and Civil Defence teams, will be deployed for security and crowd control.
Nand Utsav and Srila Prabhupada Jayanti (August 17)
The final day of the festival, August 17, will feature Nand Utsav, commemorating Lord Krishna’s arrival in Nanda Baba’s house, and the birth anniversary of Srila Prabhupada. The celebrations will include kirtans, dancing, offerings, and community meals, ensuring a grand spiritual conclusion to the three-day event.
With lavish decorations, devotional music, and elaborate rituals, ISKCON Dwarka’s Janmashtami 2025 is set to be a spiritual highlight of the year in Delhi. The organisers aim to provide a safe, accessible, and memorable experience for every devotee, reinforcing the temple’s tradition of celebrating Janmashtami on a truly grand scale.
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