Days before Janmastami, thousands of brightly coloured lights threw themselves over the sides of the Temple, guest house and brahmacari ashram. So, a few electricians helped a little, but all the twinkling, sparkling, glimmering and flickering was done by those luminous little light bulbs. It was a spectacular sight to behold. They came to adorn Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Mandir for the auspicious and transcendental appearance day of Lord Krishna.

Everyone visiting the temple in the days preceding Janmastami already knew that something amazing was about to happen. A feeling of excitement and anticipation was palpable. Every night a kirtan crescendo spilled from the doors and into the night air. Every night more and more people came to pay obeisance, take darshan and experience the glory and wonder of Krishna consciousness.

Janmastami morning broke cool and pleasantly refreshing. After mangal arati devotees chanted Hare Krishna on their beads, fingers tenderly caressing each bead. There was no indication that a mere hour later hundreds of joyful people would arrive to celebrate the divine appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna.

During the Srimad Bhagavatam class, which was held before darshan arati, His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami gave a moving account of the appearance of Lord Krishna to a full temple room. Visiting students asked many questions and it was heartening to see and hear their eagerness for spiritual knowledge.

By the time the thundering conch shells announced darshan arati, more and more and more people arrived. Everyone gasped with delight when they saw the Deities in Their new outfits, dazzling jewellery and opulent rose and orchid garlands. From then on, there was no end to the festivities. For about two hours, devotees and guests danced ecstatically around the temple. The tumultuous kirtan was accompanied by visiting steel drum players, while fire crackers exploded like cannon blasts. The result was a glorious chaotic symphony. Many of Ujjain’s esteemed spiritual and political leaders visited and held discussions with Guru Maharaja in the temple room. Afterwards Guru Maharaja accompanied the guests and devotees on a Harinama to many of Ujjain’s temples.

When peace and tranquillity again settled around the temple, devotees were quietly but hurriedly continuing preparations for the evening rush. The garland ladies again made magic with flowers for the next day, prasadam preparation went full steam ahead and on the side of the temple a miniature Vrndavan took shape. Everywhere devotees were seen working hard to ensure that the Janmastami celebrations ran smoothly.

At dusk as the first of many thousands of visitors arrived, our little lights started to glimmer and shine. Tables were brought out and filled with transcendental literature, music, and pictures. Prasadam tables heaved under the weight of their sanctified delicacies. The people came, they saw and they bought, perhaps not realising that the sweet little ladoo, or the BTG’s and books under their arms will change their lives forever.

Rows upon rows of people waited patiently, barefoot, in the street in front of the temple. As they entered the temple, they took darshan of their beloved Lord Krishna and His divine Associates and were lead outside to where Srila Prabhupada serenely greeted them with words of transcendental wisdom. He sat, preaching in a tranquil little forest, where Lord Shiva in celestial benediction presided, Mother Ganga tumbling down from His head into a waterfall, nestled between rocks, and lush green plants. It was such a captivating scene that the security guards had difficulty moving the crowd along.  After that everyone happily accepted a little maha Prasad and carinamrta.

At 20:00 Guru Maharaja delivered a powerful speech in Hindi in the stately auditorium atop the guest house. Charming dances depicting Lord Krishna’s pastimes, performed to perfection by the Youth Forum girls, concluded the successful cultural program. 

Just before midnight, with the temple packed to capacity, abishek and maha arati ended the day’s celebrations. Enormous, exquisitely decorated cakes were cut and distributed to eagerly extended hands. Thus ended the Janmastami 2009 festival at Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan Mandir in Ujjain... until next year, when devotees and guests alike, will once again be charmed by the glory of the divine appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our dearmost Sri Krishna, playing as a baby.