Hyderabad: The city-based Hare Krishna Golden Temple here came alive on Saturday with the auspicious celebrations of Govardhana Puja and Karthika Deepotsavam, two significant Hindu festivals. Devotees and visitors gathered in large numbers to honour these traditions, experiencing a day filled with vibrant rituals, offerings, and devotion.
The event’s highlight was the grand “Annakuta” – a display of 350 kilograms of prasadam, featuring a variety of sweets, savouries, fruits, and colourful treats stacked to resemble the Govardhana Hill. This mountain of food, representing abundance and devotion, was ceremoniously offered to Lord Sri Radha Govinda and later displayed for public darshan and parikrama, allowing devotees to circle the sacred offering.
Festivities began with “Go-Puja,” a traditional ritual that honours cows, considered sacred in Hindu culture. Krishna prasadam was offered to the cows and calves in the temple’s goshala, reflecting the reverence for these animals. As the day progressed, the temple resounded with soulful kirtans and devotional songs, filling the air with spiritual energy.
In the evening, the Pallaki Utsavam procession paid homage to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Nitai Gauranga, followed by an Arati, or ritual offering, to the Annakuta hill. Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, president of the Hare Krishna Movement – Hyderabad, shared a discourse on the significance of Govardhana Lila, recounting how Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhana Hill to protect the people of Vrindavan from heavy rains. He emphasized that this act symbolizes divine compassion and protection, qualities that devotees can access through sincere devotion and the chanting of Krishna’s holy names.
The Karthika Deepotsavam celebrations commenced with the lighting of the Karthika Deepam and a grand Damodara Arati. Accompanied by enchanting chants of “Damodarshtakam,” attendees were invited to offer ghee lamps to the deities, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. The temple also showcased a captivating video animation of Krishna’s Govardhana Lila, immersing devotees in the story’s divine essence.
To conclude the celebrations, sumptuous Annakuta prasadam was served to all, providing both physical and spiritual nourishment. With meticulous arrangements for the convenience of attendees, the Hare Krishna Golden Temple offered an unforgettable experience that brought together tradition, devotion, and community.
