Shree Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated at Shivalaya Temple of Boston Medford, MA on Sunday, September 02, 2018 from 8:00PM to 12:00PM. On the occasion of Janmashtami, the temple was wonderfully decorated with flowers and balloons and illuminated with lights that created a great spiritual celebration ambiance. Hundreds of devotees thronged the temple and joined the ongoing Bhajans and celebrations with utmost spiritual spirit. Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna and is celebrated all across the world with great devotion and enthusiasm on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (September-October).

Sri Krishna is considered as the one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Sri Krishna's birth was to free the Earth from the evilness of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good karma which are narrated deeply in the Bhagwat Geeta.

Devotional Bhajans that are normally lyrical and based on melodic ragas on the themes of Shree Krishna leela, his pass times activities, devotional songs of Meera Bai were sung by group of devotees in a continuous fashion. One or more lead singers, accompanied with music, and sometimes dancing was great.  Krishna Bhajans conveyed our attachment and devotion to him, fondness for, homage, faith or love, worship, or means of salvation.

A video show on the birth of Lord Krishna was arranged along with a brief question and session for young kids. Those who provided right answers were given prizes and scarfs by the senior founding members of the temple. Soon after the Abhishekam of Shree Krishna by Shree Sohan Saini and family members with full devotion, the actual celebration of Janmashtami took place during midnight as Sri Krishna is believed to be born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence in the world. Temple priest performed Abhishekam with all the Vedic rituals. Like all over India, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with Maha Mangalarati and devotional songs and chants, and by blowing the conch and rocking the cradle of baby Sri Krishna. Night long prayers and religious mantras that were sung and chanted in the temples roused great spirituality in the hearts of all the devotees.

Shree Vikas Selhi not only decorated the Shrine with his team but also conducted the program very methodically. Shree Sudarshan Sharma Ji did wonderful job in controlling the crowd and talking care of the arrangements. Devotees greeted Shree Ajay Selhi Ji for his birthday Temple president, Shree Ajay Selhi Ji thanked all the devotees for their active participation and making this event a great success. He acknowledged with kindness the support of Shree Sohan Saini and family who sponsored Maha Prasadam to all the devotees. He also thanked profusely the ‘Nirvana the Taste of India’ restaurant for preparing and serving all devotees with so much love and respect.

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