Guest guest Report post Posted July 25, 2003 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=96237 HYDERABAD: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) will hold Janmashtami celebrations at Medchal from August 17 to 21. This will be a first-of-its-kind celebration in the state, according to Srivatsa Das, president of Iskcon’s Hyderabad centre. The five-day celebrations will be held at the sprawling 537-acre Iskcon temple complex on National Highway 7. A newly built 40x25 ft archway known as the Krishna Balram Gate will be inaugurated by Jayapataka Swami on August 17. This will be followed by a violin concert by the disciples of Ashok Gurjale of the Aarabhi school of violin, and discourses on the Bhagvad Gita by Iskcon leaders. On the last day Mahakumbhabhisekam will be performed at the temple. Talking to reporters here on Friday, Srivatsa Das said they were expecting over 3,000 people to visit the temple during the festivities. Special arrangements for transporting devotees to and from Hyderabad have been made with the pick-up points at the Iskcon temples at Abids, Domalguda and Secunderabad. The Medchal temple has a massive goshala where 1,500 cows are reared and a large area of the temple complex was being used for farming activities. He said Iskcon would develop this complex into a major centre with a Vaishnava Institute of Higher Studies and a vedic village. Among other projects are a hospital and school. Ghazal singer Jagjit Singh and actress Rani Mukherjee will participate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
