Image:2. ISKCON NYC Devotees with Hansarupa Dasa, Assemblywoman Rajkumar, NYC Dep. Commissioner Dilip Chauhan while he presents ISKCON Day Proclamation.

Brooklyn, New York—Krishna Janmashtami, the appearance day or birthday of Lord Krishna, was celebrated at the New York Hare Krishna Temple on Friday, August 19th, from 4 pm until midnight with over 2500 guests taking part in the festivities.
The free cultural and spiritual event encompassed a full experience of bhakti yoga practices, including live music, sacred chants, reading of sacred texts, dance and dramatic performances, meditation classes, books, gifts, and food sales. and opportunities for children to take part in Krishna-related arts and crafts. A free vegetarian feast was served in the evening to all visitors.

NYC Dep. Commissioner Dilip Chauhan; Assemblywoman Rajkumar; Hansarupa Das (Temple President) offering arati to Sri Sri Radha Govinda

Special guests at the Temple’s celebration included Jenifer Rajkumar, New York State Assemblymember – District 38, Dilip Chauhan, NYC Deputy Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Innovation, Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India, Sheetal Desai, Milan Cultural Association NY and Harish Thakkar, President of Association of Indians in America, NY Chapter.
Honoring the significance of the celebration and the work of ISKCON, the Temple received proclamations from Ms. Rajkumar, on behalf of the New York State Assembly, and from Mr. Chauhan on behalf of NYC Mayor Eric Adams. In his proclamation, Mayor Adams, declared August 19th, 2022, as ISKCON Day in New York City.

Joyous Kirtan @ ISKCON NYC Janmashtami Celebration

Lord Krishna is revered as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the speaker of the famed Bhagavad-Gita, by hundreds of millions of people across the world. “India’s sacred wisdom texts, the Vedas, explain that the ultimate personality of God is an ever-youthful, all-attractive person, and the most intimate friend of everyone,” says Hansa Rupa Das, ISKCON NYC Temple President, “That is why Janmashtami, the appearance day of Lord Krishna, is such a joyous occasion for us all.”

Today, Sri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated by people of diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds across the world.