On Tuesday, 27 August 2024, Wyndham Hare Krishna celebrated the highly anticipated Sri Krishna Janmastami with great enthusiasm and devotion. This year, the festival was hosted at the Westgate Indoor Sports Centre in Altona North, attracting thousands of devotees, spiritual seekers, and members of the general public.
Months of preparation culminated in a breathtaking event, inspired by the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Sri Dham Mayapur. The stage featured a magnificent altar for the deities Sri Radha Karuna Sindhu, thanks to the tireless work of devotees like Savitri Sundari, Kamalalochan, Vimal, and Atmatattva. Overcoming logistical challenges and working around the clock, their creativity and dedication were evident in every detail. An additional team of 40-50 volunteers took charge of flower arrangements and other decorations, transforming the venue into a visual spectacle.
At the heart of the festival was Gokula Garden, a serene area where guests could express their devotion by offering aarti, swinging Bal Gopal on a jhulan, and taking darshan of the deities Gaura Nitai and Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra. Savitri Sundari and her team led the decoration of this area, creating a peaceful environment for personal worship and reflection. Visitors could also enjoy a photo booth, beautifully set up near a fountain that evoked the pastimes of Lord Krishna.
Food, as always, played a key role in the celebration. Despite challenging conditions, including wind and rain, Vaishnava Caran, Nitai Premanande, and Nanda Maharaja prepared a sumptuous feast. The menu included rice, mixed vegetable korma, paneer, and a variety of desserts, with nearly 5500 plates of prasadam served to the crowd of 6,000. A special addition was the 47kg of fried noodles, prepared by Visnujana with the help of Candra Sarovara, which were a hit with attendees.
The event was a spiritual and cultural feast as well. Kirtans and bhajans, led by both local and interstate performers, filled the air, with former monk Subala leading the first kirtan. Various dance and drama performances entertained the crowd, while children enjoyed their own play area complete with slides and jumping castles. With space for 300 kids, this section of the festival was a huge success. Several stalls offering books, henna, face painting, and member services added to the vibrant atmosphere.
For the first time, Wyndham Hare Krishna published its own magazine, which was distributed freely to attendees, further enriching the experience for those who came to the event. His Holiness Vedavyasapriya Swami Maharaja, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada, was a special guest, and his soul-stirring lecture was a highlight of the day. He shared stories from Krishna’s life, captivating the audience with tales of Nandotsava and Krishna’s divine appearance.
Guests, including Natalie Hutchins, the Minister for Industry and Jobs, Minister for Women, and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, also graced the event. Speaking about the hospitality they received, Minister Hutchins praised the dedication of the volunteers, commenting, “The warmth and hospitality of the devotees have been truly heartwarming. It’s clear that there’s a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes to ensure every visitor has an unforgettable experience.” Following her address, she and other dignitaries (Aloke, Akash, Darpan & Niti) were treated to a dinner feast in a private room, hosted by Guru Gauranga and Bhakta.
The President of our Temple (ISKCON Melbourne) at Albert Park—His Grace Aniruddha dasa made his visit to oversee the event here at Altona North. Although with his busy schedule on a occasion such as Janmastami, he never fails to participate at all the locations where ISKCON Melbourne organises.
As the evening unfolded, the sacred abhisheka ritual took centre stage. Devotees bathed the deities of Radha Krishna in a mixture of Panchamrita—milk, honey, yoghurt, sugar syrup, and ghee—and fruit juices. This ritual, symbolic of their devotion, was a deeply moving sight for the thousands of attendees. Meanwhile, a group of women sang the Brahma Samhita, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere. A separate area was set aside for those who wished to perform their own abhisheka, giving everyone the chance to offer their prayers and devotion.
To cater to a diverse crowd, the evening programme included a rock-style kirtan led by Krishnamrta and his band. With drums, guitars, and other instruments, they added a unique flavour to the traditional music, and the crowd was soon dancing along. The midnight aarti was another major draw, with tired but elated devotees coming together for one last darshan of the deities. This special aarti was followed by the distribution of a feast, featuring an array of dishes like mashed potatoes, quinoa pulao, paneer, fruit salad and cake.
Throughout the festival, volunteers played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran smoothly. A dedicated team worked late into the night, packing up and cleaning the venue. The truck was loaded by the tireless efforts of Ishan, and the venue was returned to its original state by 3 a.m., a testament to the commitment and teamwork of the devotees.
The festival celebrated Sri Krishna and highlighted the strength and unity of the Wyndham Hare Krishna community. Among the many heartwarming stories from the day was that of Brian Poljakovic and Aleksandra Kostic, a Serbian couple who shared their spiritual journey. Brian, a former army officer, recounted how his introduction to Bhakti yoga in the 1980s changed his life, eventually leading him to the teachings of Srila Prabhupada and Melbourne’s ISKCON community. The couple’s visits to India and their deep connection with the Hare Krishna mantra have brought them peace and solace, a message they hope to share with others on a similar path.
The couple’s story is just one example of how the teachings of Krishna transcend borders and cultures, bringing people together in devotion and spirituality. As Brian said, “The greatest saviour and transformative force in our lives has been the Maha Mantra—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”
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🕉️ @ISKCONWyndham’s #SriKrishnaJanmastami celebration dazzled with vibrant decorations, spiritual rituals, & delicious prasadam. 🌟 1000s enjoyed kirtans, dance, & a special midnight aarti. 🙏 Click the link to explore more! 🍲🎉 #TheIndianSun @iskconhttps://t.co/GBYuu6st0s
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) September 9, 2024
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