Gaura Purnima

Thursday, March 17th marks the 536th anniversary of the birth of Sri Chaitanya, the avatar who pioneered devotional yoga (bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and began the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world. New Vrindaban will celebrate the occasion on Thursday, the actual date of the event with talks about understanding Sri Chaitanya’s life, mood and mission.

A few special features of the evening are: a beautiful temple ceremony – our first youth and children’s 6 hour kirtan, a drama, and the Abishek, where the divine forms of Sri Chaitanya and Nityananda will be bathed with the water of various preparations. All guests will have the opportunity to bathe the forms of the Lord and are invited to bring any special juices or coconuts to the altar.  It is an enchanting ceremony to watch and participate in as beautiful kirtan is sung by everyone. The evening concludes with a delicious feast.

SCHEDULE

5:00am - Mangala-arati in the temple followed by arati in Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold

7:30am - Guru Puja

8:00am - Special Darshan and Srimad Bhagavatam Class

Noon - Kaumara Kaisora Children’s and Youth 6 Hour Kirtan begins

5:00pm - Grand Abhisek

7:00pm – Gaura-arati

7:45pm - Breaking the Fast and Grand Feast

8:30pm – Drama performance THE RISING MOON OF NADIA (also on Saturday, March 19th at 6pm)

9:15PM - Cleaning the Heart Seva opportunity (Community Hall and Temple Room)

FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIP

(Donors may cover the full or partial costs of the items below)

Festival Feast Prasadam: $3001

Temple & Altar Decorations & Flowers: $1501

Deity Outfit: $3500

Bhoga for offerings: $501

To sponsor an item above book directly online below, write to pilgrims@newvrindaban.com.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

If you would like to help volunteer with seva for this beautiful festival, please contact pilgrims@newvrindaban.com

BHOGA OFFERINGS

Please bring your offerings by 5pm to the Pujari Room.