Events & Festivals

Join us in celebrating divine occasions throughout the year.

Divine Festival of Akshaya Tritiya at ISKCON Chalisgaon - Traditional Auspicious Kalash

UPCOMING EVENT

Akshaya Tritiya

The eternal day of ever-increasing benefit. Celebrated as the day when Treta Yuga began and Lord Parashurama appeared.

20 Apr 2026

Chandana Yatra

UPCOMING EVENT

Chandana Yatra

Cooling the Lord with the best of ointments. Sandalwood paste is applied all over the body of Lord Jagannatha for twenty days.

20 Apr 2026

Mohini Ekadashi

UPCOMING EVENT

Mohini Ekadashi

The sacred fast that removes all sins and frees one from illusion. Commemorating Lord Vishnu's Mohini incarnation.

27 Apr 2026

Nrisimha Chaturdashi

UPCOMING EVENT

Nrisimha Chaturdashi

The appearance day of Lord Nrisimhadeva, the half-man half-lion protector of devotees. Fasting till twilight.

30 Apr 2026

Jhulan Yatra

UPCOMING EVENT

Jhulan Yatra

Experience the blissful swing festival of Sri Sri Radha Krishna. Devotees gather to swing the Lord amidst ecstatic kirtans and flower decorations.

23 Aug 2026

Balarama Purnima

UPCOMING EVENT

Balarama Purnima

The divine appearance day of Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna and the source of all spiritual strength. Grand abhishek and feast.

28 Aug 2026

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

UPCOMING EVENT

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

The most auspicious day of the year! Celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna with midnight arati, cultural programs, and a massive maha-feast.

04 Sep 2026

Origins and Eternal Benefits

Akshaya Tritiya starts on the third lunar day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha month. It is the auspicious day when Treta Yuga began. Barley, one of the main ingredients for homa (the yuga dharma of Treta Yuga), was created on this day. On this same day, Ganga Devi descended to Earth from the spiritual world.

This day is so auspicious that thereâ€™s no inauspiciousness to be found; checking muhurthas is considered unnecessary. Whatever one does for devotees and for Krishna on this day brings eternal benefits that are never lost.

Lord Parashurama's Appearance

The third day of the bright fortnight of Vaisakha is also the day of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Parashurama. The icon is traditionally decorated with an axe to depict Him in His heroic pose.

Recommended Spiritual Practices

Sacred Bathing & Charity

One should bathe in a sacred river and give charity to Vaishnavas and the needy. Performing japa (meditative chanting) on this day is highly recommended.

Offerings to the Lord

Offer barley in a sacred fire and prepare barley-based dishes to offer to the Deity. These acts of devotion are especially pleasing to the Lord on this day.

Divine Pastimes

The Story of the Poor Brahmana

Vasishta Muni once told a poor brahmana that his previous life's stinginess was the cause of his current suffering. However, because he somehow observed the vrata of Vaisakha month for 5 days, he was blessed with a good wife and a brahmana birth. By following the remaining 7 days of the month with devotion, he finally achieved wealth, sons, and ultimately returned to the spiritual world.

The Akshaya Patra

The Sun God gave Draupadi the 'Akshaya Patra', a pot that would provide unlimited foodstuffs until she finished her own meal. When the sage Durvasa arrived with 10,000 disciples after she had eaten, Lord Krishna saved her by eating a single leaf of spinach left in the pot, which instantly satisfied the hunger of all the sages.

Cooling the Body of the Lord

Chandana yatra starts on the third lunar day of the waxing moon of Vaisakha month and continues for twenty days. Lord Jagannatha gave direct instructions to King Indradyumna to perform this festival to provide relief from the intense summer heat of India.

Sandalwood paste (chandana) is considered the best of ointments. It is applied all over the body of Lord Jagannatha, leaving only His eyes visible. This act of devotion brings immense pleasure to the Lord and is a beautiful sight for the devotees.

Water Sports with Lord Chaitanya

To commemorate this festival, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would engage in joyful water sports with His devotees. The functional Deities (Vijay Utsava) are taken on a procession and placed in a boat in the temple pond for a ceremonial boat ride.

Festival Highlights

20-day duration of cooling service
Sandalwood paste application
Utsava Murtis boat procession
Commemorating Lord Chaitanya's pastimes

Join us at ISKCON Chalisgaon for these twenty days of blissful service and darshan.

Origins and Power

Lord Ramachandra once asked Vasishtha Muni about a fasting day that destroys all kinds of sins and sorrows. Vasishtha Muni replied that Vaisakha-sukla Ekadashi, famously known as Mohini Ekadashi, is that day. It removes all sins and frees the fortunate soul from the network of illusion.

Lord Shri Krishna later narrated this to Yudhishthira Maharaja, confirming that it removes the greatest miseries and obstacles from one's path. Simply hearing about its glories nullifies the greatest sins.

Freedom From Illusion

The merit of this Ekadashi removes the darkest illusory attachments to material existence. There is no better fast day in all the three worlds than this for achieving spiritual purity.

Incomparable Merits

Better than Charity

No place of pilgrimage, no sacrifice, and no charity can bestow merit equal to even one sixteenth of the merit a faithful devotee obtains by observing Mohini Ekadashi.

Merit of Cows

He who hears and studies the glories of Mohini Ekadashi achieves the merit of giving away one thousand cows in charity.

The Story of Dhrishthabuddhi

In the city of Bhadravati, there lived a pious merchant named Dhanapala. His son, Dhrishthabuddhi, was extremely sinful, squandering wealth on prostitutes and gambling. Eventually disowned and desperate, he wandered the forest as a hunter, killing animals to survive.

One day, he chanced upon the ashrama of Kaundinya Muni. Droplets of water from the sage's wet clothing touched him, instantly reducing his sins. He begged for atonement, and the sage advised him to observe Mohini Ekadashi.

The Result of Devotion

By fasting completely on Mohini Ekadashi as directed, Dhrishthabuddhi became sinless. He achieved a transcendental form and rode upon Garuda to the Supreme Abode of Lord Vishnu.

27 April 2026

Monday

Vrata Begins

06:04 AM

Parana Time

06:03 - 10:20 AM

(On 28th April, Dwadashi)