Lucknow: The festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated with great devotion, joy, and traditional rituals at Ramakrishna Math, Nirala Nagar, Lucknow. A large number of devotees participated in the celebrations, while many others joined virtually through the Math’s official YouTube channel “Ramakrishna Math Lucknow”, which broadcast the event live.
The celebrations began early in the morning at 4:30 AM with the Mangala Arati and prayers led by Swami Ishtakrupanananda. At 6:50 AM, Swami Muktinathananda Ji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math, led a recitation from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 12, Bhakti Yoga) followed by Sri Krishna Vandana.
At 7:15 AM, Swami Muktinathananda Ji delivered a special online discourse on “Sri Ramakrishna’s Krishna Bhava”. He explained that Sri Krishna and Sri Ramakrishna are two manifestations of the same divine reality. He recalled how Sri Ramakrishna, during deep spiritual practice in the mood of Radha, had the vision of Krishna as the embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss). Swami Ji highlighted Sri Ramakrishna’s profound realization: “The same One who was Rama and who was Krishna has now come as Ramakrishna.”
At 9:15 AM, the audience was mesmerized by the extraordinary recitation of the Bhagavad Gita by 10-year-old Aryama Shukla, a student of City Montessori School, Aliganj. Remarkably, she recited without referring to any text, showcasing her rare gift of memorizing Sanskrit verses and hymns. Aryama has been blessed and encouraged by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt. Anandiben Patel, for her unique talent. Apart from the Gita, she fluently recites numerous hymns and stotras including Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, Vishnu Sahasranama, Shiv Tandava Stotram, Rudrashtakam, Sri Ram Stuti, and many others.
After the Gita recitation, offerings were made, and prasad was distributed among devotees.
In the evening, the celebrations resumed with Sandhya Arati and devotional songs by Swami Ishtakrupanananda. Special Janmashtami Puja was conducted by Swami Krishnapadananda, followed by a collective chanting of Shyamanam Sankirtan. Swami Muktinathananda Ji then read from the Srimad Bhagavatam, narrating the divine birth of Lord Krishna as described in the 10th Skandha. He emphasized the message of the Gita (4:9): “One who truly understands the divine nature of My birth and deeds is never reborn but attains liberation.”
The evening concluded with soulful bhajans and dance performances on Krishna Leela by the children of the Gadadhar Abhyudaya Prakalpa, after which devotees received prasad packets.
With melodious chants, inspiring discourses, and heartfelt devotion, the Janmashtami celebrations at Ramakrishna Math, Lucknow, left devotees spiritually uplifted and immersed in the divine presence of Lord Krishna.
