ISKCON Temple in Hyderabad Celebrates Krishna Janmashtami With Grand Festivities

Thousands of devotees, including actress RK Roja, gathered at Hyderabad's ISKCON temple to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami. Elaborate preparations, including special queues and security, were made for the event. The temple, significant in ISKCON's history, will host three days of celebrations featuring special ceremonies and communal feasts.

The ISKCON temple in Hyderabad witnessed a vibrant congregation of devotees on Monday, marking the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. Among the enthusiastic participants were thousands of devotees, including Telugu actress and former YSRCP minister RK Roja.

RK Roja visited the temple to offer her prayers and expressed her joy at being part of the celebrations. 'It is a beautiful experience to be here and celebrate the divine presence of Lord Krishna,' she told ANI. The temple manager, Shambhu Vaishnav Das, warmly welcomed attendees and highlighted the significance of the festival.

'We welcome you all on this grand and auspicious festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Shri Krishna,' Das told ANI. Elaborate preparations included two separate queues for the general population and coupon holders or lifetime ISKCON members.

The temple expects around 1.5 lakh devotees to visit today. 'We have made extensive arrangements, including two queue lines—one for the general devotees and another for special queue holders. The police have also been very cooperative,' added the temple manager. The ISKCON temple in Hyderabad, one of four in India, was inaugurated nearly 50 years ago by Acharya A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Globally, ISKCON operates 108 temples.

Celebrations will span three days, featuring special programs and ceremonies throughout. Highlights include a midnight Abhishekam and a Maha Aarti. 'We are conducting this festival for three days—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Today is Janmashtami, and tomorrow is Nandotsava,' Das explained.

Nandotsava, celebrating Nand Maharaj's feast, is a tradition where households refrain from cooking to join a communal feast. Devotees in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, also gathered at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple to offer prayers.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and several film celebrities extended their greetings to the nation on Janmashtami (ANI).

(With inputs from agencies.)