Garuda Panchami
August 6, 2025
The Jhulan Festival is celebrated in the month of Shravana (August), from the eleventh day of the bright fortnight (Ekadashi) to the full-moon day (Purnima). This festival is celebrated to commemorate the childhood pastimes of Sri Krishna with His friends, the young cowherd boys and girls, swinging underneath the trees.
garudo bhagavan stotra-stobhash chandomayah prabhuh
rakshatv ashesha-kricchrebhyo vishvaksenah sva-namabhih
Lord Garuda, the carrier of Lord Vishnu, is the most worshipable lord, for he is as powerful as the Supreme Lord Himself. He is the personified Vedas and is worshipped by selected verses. May he protect us from all dangerous conditions, and may Lord Vishwaksena, the Personality of Godhead, also protect us from all dangers by His holy names. (SB 6.8.29)
Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita – vainateyash ca pakshinam, “Among the birds, I am Garuda.” Garuda carries Lord Vishnu on his back always, and therefore he is considered the transcendental prince of all carriers.
In the Vedic literature, it is stated that the two wings of the transcendental bird Garuda are two divisions of the Sama Veda known as brihat and rathantara. When Garuda flaps his wings, one can hear the chanting of the hymns from the Sama Veda. Garuda is engaged in eternal service to Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntha. Every temple of Lord Vishnu has a Deity of Sri Garuda sitting in front of the Lord with folded hands.
Garuda is also known by the names Pakshiraja, Vainateya, Suparna, Garuthman, Periya Tiruvadi, Vinatasuta, Vishnuvahana, Nagantaka, and Kashyapeya.
On the special occasion of Garuda Panchami, there will be an elaborate abhishekam to the Deity of Garuda deva at 5:30 AM, followed by a special alankara and arati. Sponsor this abhishekam for his pleasure, and by pleasing this great devotee of Krishna, you can easily attain the lotus feet of Krishna.
