Grayslake Hindu Mandir marks Janamashtami

GRAYSLAKE, IL — Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake, IL celebrated Shri Krishna Janamashtami on August 150 with a variety of programs to honor the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

The event was well attended by thousands of devotees during the day and hundreds of them stayed until after midnight, showing their dedication and devotion to Lord Krishna.

The Mandir was decked up all around for the festivities with decorations depicting various aspects of Krishna Avatar and ceiling was decorated with hanging “Haandis (earthen pots)”. All the deities were dressed up in new clothes and ornaments.

The star attraction, enjoyed by kids and adults alike was depiction of Krishna’s “Raas Leela” – Lord Krishna dancing with “Gopis” with musicians and artists. The life of Lord Krishna was on display in form of huge posters and cut-outs. In the center of the shrine stood colorfully decorated “Palna” or “Jhoola” (Swing) where Baby Krishna was seated after his birth at midnight.

A major highlight was a “Shobha Yatra”, a procession that went around the Mandir campus with about 20 kids who lovingly dressed as Baby Krishna and Gopi Radha followed by other kids and adults who chanted praises of Lord Krishna.

Temple priest Pandit Anil Joshi ji extolled the ideals of Lord Krishna in his discourse and highlighted the coincidence of the festival falling on India’s Independence Day, and touched upon the freedom of devotion and practice of religion.

At the stroke of midnight, Lord Krishna’s Avatar was depicted by the priests amidst of chanting of religious mantras. The idol of Baby Krishna was decked up and seated in the “Palna”. A couple of infants were carried into the shrine by adults dressed up as Vasudeva, Krishna’s father and devotees welcomed baby Krishnas by praising the Lord.

Temple priests – Joshiji, Pandyaji, Ramacharyji, many volunteers and devotees made this event a grand success.

The program ended with “Archana” and “Aarti” in the name of Lord Krishna, following which devotees got a chance to rock the cradle of Lord Krishna.?