Even on an empty stomach, Shyamala Kishori was full of energy. The gold paint sparkled on her forehead in the afternoon sun as she stood on the Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday. She was fasting in observance of Janmashtami, an annual Hare Krishna celebration.
On Wednesday, the Hare Krishnas celebrated the yearly anniversary of the god’s birth, which was said to have occurred 5,000 years ago at midnight.
“It is a really big deal,” said Kishori, former development director of the Alachua Hare Krishna Temple. “We’re celebrating the advent of Lord Krishna.”
The Hare Krishna movement is made up of a community that practices bhakti yoga, the eternal science of connecting to God through loving service. Kirtan, the congregational chanting, goes on all day during Janmashtami, Kishori said.
Services at the Alachua Hare Krishna Temple began at 4:30 a.m. At midnight, the decorated altar was opened to reveal the deities of the Lord, followed by “a major, very ecstatic kirtan,” Kishori said. Next came the vegetarian feast to break the fast.
The day’s celebrations included performances by the community members, dances and a theatrical presentation of Lord Krishna’s advent. There was also a costume contest for children to dress up as different forms of God.
“The Alachua temple has a wonderful way of celebrating,” Kishori said.
Damodar Roe, another member of the Hare Krishnas, said he looks forward to this celebration of dedication every year.
“The spirit of the kirtan is universally uniting,” he said. “It uplifts everyone from within with a feeling of joy.”
Pushing through the hunger, Kishori said she felt satisfied, looking at the fast as more time to spend on her faith.
“When we love somebody, we want to celebrate their birthday in a really special way,” she said. “Although God isn’t born like we are, it is his ‘birthday.’ So just imagine how exciting that is: to celebrate God’s birthday, to show our love back to our best friend.”
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 8/29/2013 under the headline "Hare Krishnas fast, celebrate anniversary of the god’s birth"
