The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will mark the 5,252nd anniversary of the divine appearance of Lord Sri Krishna with grand celebrations at its global centres, including its headquarters in Sri Mayapur, Nadia district, West Bengal.
The event will be observed with full religious devotion, traditional rituals, and a series of cultural programmes, ISKCON Public Relations Officer Rasik Gauranga Das confirmed. In Sri Mayapur, the Janmashtami festival will be held on Saturday, 16 August 2025, followed the next day, Sunday, 17 August, by the Nandotsav celebrations and the 129th birth anniversary of ISKCON’s founder-acharya, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Thousands of devotees from across India and abroad are expected to gather for the festivities, with elaborate security arrangements in place to manage the large crowds.
According to Hindu tradition, Lord Krishna, revered as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appeared at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra, over 5,000 years ago in Mathura. His birth took place in the prison of King Kansa, a tyrant whose reign brought fear and injustice. At that moment of deep crisis, Krishna manifested in his four-armed form, holding a conch, discus, mace, and lotus, to protect humanity and re-establish dharma (righteousness). The teachings, ideals, and life of Lord Krishna—marked by his triumph over demonic forces and his message of love, friendship, and peace—remain relevant even today. In the current world scenario, where oppression of the weak, political selfishness, and erosion of human values persist, his example continues to inspire millions.
ISKCON Mayapur’s celebrations will feature kirtans (devotional chanting), discourses on Krishna’s pastimes, temple decorations, abhishek (ceremonial bathing of the deity), and distribution of sanctified food (prasadam) to thousands of devotees and visitors. The celebrations will culminate at midnight with the symbolic reenactment of Krishna’s divine birth. On Janmashtami, devotees will offer prayers seeking the Lord’s blessings to remove unrighteousness, restore peace, and guide humanity towards spiritual fulfilment, just as he did thousands of years ago.
