This year’s Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, will be digitally broadcast for 40 hours on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. The celebratory programme includes musical events, dance performances, and panel discussions with ‘great thinkers & artists over 40 hrs of events on an auspicious occasion will bring the much-needed positivity to the devotees globally. A press note released by ISKCON, Bengaluru, said, “Taking into account the current situation of the pandemic in the country and uncertainties surrounding it, ISKCON-Bangalore will be celebrating the iconic Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2020 virtually on 11th and 12th August 2020 with a series of activities planned. The digital celebration titled ‘Swagatam Krishna’ has been planned after considering the safety aspect of the public who can take part in the celebration virtually, by staying indoors in the safe confines of their home.
Swagatam Krishna will be a 40 hours event webcast on ISKCON-Bangalore’s YouTube channel, Instagram, and Facebook to millions of viewers across the world. The program will begin with the live webcast of the Nauka Vihar (boat festival or theppotsava) at 6:30 AM, followed by a Grand Abhishekam at 7:45 AM.
Panel discussions and performances are: The Inspiring Journey & Message of ISKCON-Bangalore’ (12th Aug, 7:00 PM), panelists include Anupam Kher, actor; Dr.Kasturirangan, former ISRO Chairman: Smt Hemamalini, actor & MP, Lok Sabha; Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON-Bangalore, Chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation; and Padmashri Awardee Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Senior Vice-President, ISKCON-Bangalore
No One Shall Go Hungry’ (11th Aug, 7:00 PM): Panelists include Bishow Parajuli, Country Director, India, UN World Food Program; Mohandas Pai, Padmashri Awardee, Chairman, Manipal Global Education; Madhu Pandit Dasa, President – ISKCON-Bangalore , Chairman of The Akshaya Patra Foundation; Padmashri Awardee Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Senior Vice-President, ISKCON-Bangalore; and Anand Narasimhan, Executive Editor of CNN News18 who will moderate the panel discussion.
Conversation With Amish Tripathi (12th Aug, 8:00 AM): Chanchalapathi Dasa, the Vice-president of ISKCON-Bangalore in discussion with Amish Tripathi, author & columnist, who will reveal the keys to a happier life in trying situations
Secrets of ISKCON Kitchens (12th Aug, 10:00 AM): Panelists include Sanjeev Kapoor, celebrity chef; Smt Rujuta Diwekar, nutrition expert; Chanchalapathi Dasa, Senior Vice-President, ISKCON-Bangalore; and Kunal Vijaykar, food writer, author, who will moderate the panel discussion on ‘what makes ISKCON food so delicious’.
Magic of Little Krishna (11th Aug, 10:20 AM): Watch Chanchalapathi Dasa joined by the Creators of the ‘Little Krishna’ 3D Animation Series tell their tale at the Swagatam Krishna Event Live on YouTube.
Orphan Lives Matter (12th Aug, 4:00 PM): Celebrating Sri Krishna Janmashtami with the ‘Children of God’.
Musical & Cultural programs by:
- Great granddaughters of Bharat Ratna Srimati MS Subbulakshmi (12th Aug, 6:00 PM) – The ‘Nightingale of India’, Smt. S Aishwarya and Smt. S Saundarya,
- Bhajan Sandhya by Anuradha Paudwal(12th Aug, 8:30 PM) – Bollywood playback singer,
- Sooryagayathri is a charming, young girl with a golden voice who is capturing the hearts of music lovers across the globe, will be featuring an online musical concert.
- Devotional concert by Sri Anup Jalota(11th Aug, 4:00 PM) – singer & musician etc.
- A contemporary Carnatic progressive music concert performed by Harish Shivaramakrishnan of Agam Band(11th Aug, 9:30 PM)
- Classical dance(11th Aug, 5:00 PM) performances by Smt. Rukmini Vijayakumar of Radhaa Kalpa fame,
- Kathak Dance(12th Aug, 5:00 PM) performance by Smt. Nirupama and Sri Rajendra
- A contemporary dance performance(12th Aug, 4:30 PM) by Mayuri Upadhye’s Nritarutya
- An Odissi dance performance(11th Aug, 6:00 PM) by Aarushi Mudgal
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the most important festival celebrated at ISKCON Bangalore. On this day thousands of devotees visit the temple to seek divine blessings but in the current situation due to Covid-19, restrictions are in place. However, the organisers have planned to show the festival live. The live broadcast includes panel discussion of with eminent personalities and cultural programmes ‘to spread positivity and optimism’.
ISKCON-Bangalore temple on Hare Krishna Hill, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru was inaugurated by the President of India in May 1997. Today it is one of the most visited places in the city with stellar contributions from people from various fields of religious, spiritual, social, and cultural development of the society. The temple has been a center of learning and dissemination of the message of Lord Sri Krishna.
For more details please visit https://www.iskconbangalore.org/