The British Hindu diaspora in Manchester is gearing up to celebration the festival of Janmashtami, which marks one of the first festivals of a busy festive period.
Janmashtami – also known as ‘Gokulashtami’ or ‘Krishnashtami’ in different parts of India – marks the birth of the Hindu god Shri Krishna, associated with the epic ‘Mahabharata’. An incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Krishna’s birth and stories from his childhood and adolescence are all celebrated and believed to be a form of leela (divine acts). Owing to this, Janmashtami events are not solely celebrations of his birth but also of the various facets of his life; from Makhan Chor [the one who steals butter] to Raas Leela [Krishna’s divine dance with the milkmaids] to his love for Radha.
Janmashtami’s vibrant and festive nature attracts people of all ages as they partake in performances, skits and singing. Like every year, there are a number of vibrant events lined up by diaspora communities across the country in time for Janmashtami – which falls on August 26 this year.
Here are some of the special Janmashtami festivities planned in the city of Manchester…
BAPS Manchester
Saturday, 24 August 2024
The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Manchester is set to kickstart the Manchester celebrations with an early event over the weekend. The Ashton-under-Lyne temple will hold the ‘Pratik Utsav Sabha’ at 5pm and ‘Mahaprasad’ at 7pm.
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Radha Krishna Mandir
Monday, 26 August 2024
Manchester’s Radha Krishna Mandir is known for its engaging and colourful events, incorporating artists and performers from across the diaspora.
The temple’s Janmashtami celebrations will start at 7pm carry on till midnight, when Shri Krishna is said to be born, culminating in an aarti [religious singing].
ISKCON
Monday, 26 August 2024
The Longsight-based ISKCON temple’s Janmashtami event will see a plethora of religious activities including Kirtan, a special class, drama, Jhulan, Abhishek, Maha Aarti and finally a feast
Their celebrations will also run until midnight, starting at 7pm.
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Geeta Bhavan Hindu Temple
Saturday, 7 September 2024
Geeta Bhavan’s annual Janmashtami events are extremely popular and attract nearly a thousand devotees on the day. The festivities are helmed by Amita Tandon, a member of the community, the event has seen an entire generation of the community children take part in various skits, graceful dances, beautiful singing performances and other acts.
Janmashtami 2024 promises to be a spectacular festival in Manchester and, of course, all over the UK as British Hindus gear up to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna at temples and in their homes up and down the country.