Sri Gaura Purnima
March 14,2025
The Hare Krishna Golden Temple will observe Sri Gaura Purnima on 14th March 2025, starting at 6:00 PM, and the Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Kokapet will celebrate it on 15th March 2025, also from 6:00 PM onwards. Devotees are invited to observe a fast until moonrise at 6:29 PM (IST) on 14th March 2025.
Sri Gaura Purnima commemorates the auspicious appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is also revered as Gauranga due to His golden complexion. According to sacred scriptures, the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna incarnated as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to emphasise the significance of devotion to Lord Krishna, specifically through congregational chanting of the holy names, known as the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared on Phalguni Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Phalguna (February-March), in 1486 AD (1407 Shakabda) in Sridham Mayapur as the son of Sri Jagannath Mishra and Srimati Sachidevi. He was named Nimai by His parents, as He was born beneath a Nimba (neem) tree in their house’s courtyard. This day also marks the beginning of the New Year for Gaudiya Vaishnavas.
The celebrations will commence with the Pallakki Utsava of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga (Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda). The Utsava Deities will be carried in a flower-adorned procession amidst vibrant kirtans. After the procession, a grand abhisheka will be performed for the Deities of Nitai Gauranga, beginning with a bath in panchamrita, followed by panchagavya and various fruit juices. Devotees will chant prayers from the Brahma-Samhita to glorify the Lord. A grand arati will be conducted, accompanied by the Gaura arati song, composed by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura. Following this, the Deities will be bathed with sanctified water from 108 kalashas while devotees chant the Purusha Sukta prayers. A shower of fragrant flowers (pushpa vrishti) will be offered, followed by a special offering of 56 dishes (chappan bhog).
Devotees will observe a fast until moonrise and will break their fast with an anukalpa feast (grain-free items). On the following day, a special feast, known as the Jagannath Mishra Feast, will be offered to the Lord and the devotees. This feast is named after Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s father, who arranged a grand celebration to honour the birth of his son.
We warmly invite you to join the festivities and receive blessings from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
