PUSHPA ABHISEKHA - FLOWER FESTIVAL

The annual Pushpa Abhishek is quickly becoming a favorite festival in New Vrindaban. The deities of Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra are showered with flowers of all types and colors, 10,000 of which are used from the temple gardens.

While marigolds, rose petals, and other colorful flowers cascade on the radiant forms of the Lord, soul-stirring kirtan is sung accompanied by the cheering of devotees. In the grand finale Their Lordships are usually showered with lotus petals from the lotus pond. And as multicolored flower petals rain on the Deities at the end, the crowd roars with delight. Then the flower petals are showered upon the audience, who in turn throw them on one another, creating a fun and memorable occasion.

Srila Prabhupada once explained the festival this way: "Krishna was just a toy in the hands of the Gopis, so one day the Gopis decided that we shall decorate Him. Pushpa abhisheka means a ceremony to decorate the deity profusely with flowers, ornaments, cloths. After there should be lavish feasting and a procession through the streets, so that all the citizens should see how beautiful Krishna appears."