Vrindavan fest to celebrate Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s journey

Vrindavan (UP)

A week-long festival seeking to unite different different cultures and create an environment of peace and harmony will be held here from November 18 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the 16th century monk and reformer Chaitanya Mahaprabhu here.

Vrindavan Prakash Mahotsav is set to bring together at least 40 different styles of music from 25 states across the country.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is said to have promoted the community style devotional worship of Krishna with kirtans.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav along with host of dignitaries will be present at the inauguration on November 18.

Of the various avatars of Vishnu, he revered Krishna and popularised the chanting of the ‘Hare Krishna’ mantra, also known as ‘Sankirtan.’

“India is known for acceptance and tolerance, and we want this festival to be known for that. The real essence of this festival is to create love and harmony,” says Abhishek Goswami, the convener of the festival.

With Manipuri manjiras fusing with mridangams from Bengal and Manganiyar musicians from Rajasthan, the festival aims to “bring the whole country together in a single sutra.”

“The main objective of the festival is creating a bridge between all forms of culture, music and to emanate love,” says Goswami.

Organised by Vrindavan based organisation, Earth Voice, with the support of Kathak Kendra, the Sangeet Natak Akademi and Dharmik Leela Commitee, the festival would host musical legends including Sanjeev Abhyankar, Kalapini Komkali and Trichur Brothers. .

A confluence of divine singing and sankirtan from religious institutions across India – from the Shabad in gurudwaras, Sufi songs, haveli kirtan, Dhrupad and Dhamar in temples to Carnatic Classical Sankirtan groups – will also be a part of the festival.

“It will be as if the whole of India is doing jugalbandi,” says Goswami.

Besides the musical fiesta, the festivities at Vrindavan will render devotion towards Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in “Chaitanya Leela,” where performing dance troops from all across the country will participate and display their acts.

1008 scholars will recite and enunciate the 18,000 verses of “Shreemad Bhagvat Katha,” in the form of “Shreemad Bhagvatam.”

As part of the event, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s journey to Vrindavan from Puri in Odisha has been recreated in the form of a padyatra.

“The Walk of Consciousness,” which started on August 4 in Puri, is scheduled to reach Vrindavan around November 17.

A special train journey from Howrah to Vrindavan, “The Journey of Consciousness” in the ‘Mahaprabhu Express’ will also be flagged off on November 15 and reach the venue the next day.

PTI