India New England Online

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Community Gupshup

By Uma Valluri

BOSTON – The mood was charged and even spilled to the streets of Back Bay as the chanting of “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” gained momentum. Approximately 200 congregation members of the local chapter of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness gathered to celebrate Gaura Purnima, a festival to commemorate the birth anniversary (521st appearance day) of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, an incarnation of Lord Krishna.

The event took place on March 3, at the Boston venue of ISKCON of New England. Nimai Nitai Prabhu, the temple’s president, spoke about the life of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is said to have descended on earth to spread the chanting of the holy names of God and to deliver people from their material bondage.

Devotees participated in the abhisheka (public bathing of the deity) followed by bhajans conducted by congregation members. The program concluded with the Gaura-arati and later, devotees walked around Boston chanting bhajans. All attendees later enjoyed a vegetarian dinner.

For more information on ISKCON Boston, please visit www.iskconboston.org