Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Krishna Janmashtami

Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:35): I was immensely honoured to attend a Janmashtami celebration at Akoonah Park in Berwick recently, where more than 4500 people celebrated the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Janmashtami as a festival holds deep spiritual and philosophical significance for our local Hindu community and teaches devotees important life lessons such as the pursuit of righteousness and the ultimate victory of good over evil. The celebration included dances of the life of Krishna, devotional singing, fasting, a night vigil and a festival on the following day as well. It is celebrated throughout India and also in Australia, but this was the first time that a Janmashtami event has been held by the Melbourne Hare Krishnas outside of the inner city. It was great to see such a strong turnout at such a successful and memorable event.