Hare Krishna! All glories to Srila Prabhupada!Lord Sri Krishna celebrated His birthday in great pomp and style here in Sri Krishna Mandir, Singapore. From 7pm right upto 1 am, the temple was buzzing with transcendental vibrations. The birthday dress of the Lord looked beautiful on Him. He was so charming that it was only with great difficulty that one can take his/her eyes off His divine form.
The festivities started off at 7pm with the aratrika accompanied by heavy kirtan. The temple was so opulent with the more-than-3000 crowd that packed the temple joining the kirtan.
About 100 people from an old folks' home arrived to watch the festivities. Following the kirtan was a series of cultural shows which included 2 dances, a children's drama and a talk and finally, the adult drama. The temple hall, the prasadam section and the cultural show section were full with people at any given time.
The audience were rapt in attention while watching the cultural programs culminating in the final drama "The Killing of Kamsa" played by the Vaikuntha Players of Sri Krishna Mandir. Following the cultural programme was the abhisheka ceremony(bathing of the Lord in different liquids such as water, milk, ghee(clarified butter), honey, yoghurt, rose-scented water and fruit juice).
After the Lord was bathed, everyone was waiting for the mid-night aratrika. All the devotees broke their 24-hour fast after the aratrika. The prasadam was one thing which everyone undoubtedly enjoyed.
The feedback of the guests was most encouraging to the devotees. They all were totally impressed by the whole festival. By seeing all the guests satisfied the devotees could at once know that Srila Prabhupada was satisfied and thus, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Many people who attended the festival were through the advertisement published in The Strait Times. The newspaper turned out to be a great preaching field, as observed in this festive season beginning from the Ratha Yatra. Literally, thousands were benefitted by this adventurous move. Due to this bold step taken by His Grace Sundar Gopal Prabhu, the President of the Sri Krishna Mandir, the results are showing. Lord Krishna brought so many thousands to the temple on that one single day. To achieve this feat in Singapore is possible only due to the mercy of Srila Prabhupada. His movement can only grow bigger and bigger.
Jaya Srila Prabhupada!!
