Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Painting (Photo Credit: Instagram@vishal__kapoor)
New Delhi:
The birth anniversary of the great Indian spiritual guru who lived in the middle ages, Chaitanya Pahabrabhu is observed on Gaura Purnima. Mahaprabhu lived 600 years ago and he being an earnest disciple of Lord Krishna has spread his word far and wide. The followers of the great Mahaprabhu are referred to as Gaudiya Vaishnavas. As Mahaprabhu was born on Phagun Purnima, his disciples used to celebrate his birth anniversary on February 18 according to Julian calender. However, after Gregorian calendar came inti acceptance, February 27 became the new day for Chaitanya Jayanti.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached that the easiest way to connect to God is by chanting ‘Hare Krishna’. Since then Hindu and followers of Lord Krishna chose to chant Hare Krishna during the last hours of their life. Mahaprabhu also taught that chanting Krishna’s name leads to ‘moksha’ that is complete relief after death. According to the saint, Lord Krishna’s holy name is same as his transcendental form and hence to get close to the lord is through the sound and vibration you create while you take his name.
The 534th birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu will be observed on March 9th. The Purnima tithi begins at 03. 03 AM and ends at 23.27 HRS on the same day.
Several kinds of festivals, plays and programs are organized on the day in ISKCON temples on Mahaprabhu Chaitanya and as Gaudiya Maths. Commemorating the day, devotees perform Nagar sankirtan. The Chaitanya puja starts with Tulsi puja abd Abhisheka i.e the bathing ceremony of Gaura Nitai that happens in the early morning hours
In the evening a play is performed by the devotees where the teaching of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is re-iterated and his life since he was a child and how he ecame a follower of Krishna founding Gaudiya Vaishnavas, how protected his follower Kala Krishnadasa from a class of nomadic sect is enacted.
Vrindavan, the “City of Temples” has more than 5000 temples devoted to Radha and Krishna, including temples as old as 5500 years. The essence of Vrindavan as a spiritual town was lost over time with several foreign invasions until in the 16th century, when it was rediscovered by Chaitanya. Hence the Chaitanya Jayanti that falls before the Holi si celebrated with much fervour in this holy city of temples.
