Vishakapatnam, the most prominent coastal city of South India, will host the annual ‘ISKCON Utsav Festival’ at the local Hare Krishna center. To be held from 30th April to May 2nd, the festival is expected to attract more than 50,000 people. 
 

One of the biggest annual events in the city, ISKCON Ustav will include a variety of events, including the traditional Yajna (fire sacrifice), discourses on Bhagavad Gita and other scriptures, and the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna Mantra. And, of course, visitors can expect a sumptuous feast of sanctified food. 

Apart from these, several cultural programs, including dramas and traditional Telegu language bhajans (devotional hymns), will be performed to enchant the audience.

 

“To commemorate the 500th year of Lord Chaitanya’s acceptance of Sannyas, a ballet on Chaitanya Lila will be held and all the visitors will be given a free booklet on the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya,” said Samba Das, President of ISKCON Vishakapatnam. 

Several ISKCON leaders are expected to attend the 3-day festival, slated to be one of the largest celebrations in India by any temple this year. The festival campus will consist of 100 stalls, some exhibiting Srila Prabhupada’s books, some presenting Deity paraphernalia, and others providing various foodstuffs. The biggest attraction, however, will likely remain the giant merry-go-round for the kids.