Events

The Appearance Day of Lord Nityananda is the first major festival of the year and it celebrates the dawn of the sankīrtana movement (congregational chanting), started by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Nityananda is the “older brother” of Caitanya and His main assistant in the propagation of sankirtan. Nityananda is an incarnation of Lord Balarāma, the first expansion of Sri Krishna. As with most of New Dvārakā’s festivals, this celebration includes a procession of the Deity, agni-hotra(fire sacrifice), puspanjali(flower petal offering) and abhiṣeka(bathing of the Deity), an enlightening discourse, and melodious chanting of the holy names of the Lord. A special feature of this day are the plush, colorful flower garments, hand-crafted and offered to the Deities of Caitanya and Nityananda.

Fast Till Noon

The Krishna consciousness tradition places great emphasis not only on worship of Lord Krishna, but also on the worship of His devotees. Śiva-rātrī is the celebration to honor the foremost devotee, Mahādeva, Lord Śiva. Śivaji presides over the festival in his deity form as well as linga form. Everyone is invited to bathe the Śiva linga. The celebration includes an enlightening discourse on his pastimes, chanting of the holy names of the Lord, and no less than a six course feast.