|
The high priest offers "Aarti" to Lord Krishna--the Supreme Being and source of all energy. The sacred offering of auspicious items is given to God six times a day starting at 5 a.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. as gratitude for the life he breathes in all creation. An important part of the ceremony is the initial sound of the conch shell, which begins the ceremony and purifies the air. |
|
The high priest makes an offering to an alter of Lord Krishna and companion Radha, during the puja ceremony. "Puja" means worship. |
|
Lotus, a devotee, displays the Aarti tray. The conch shell purifies the air, clearing the ether for prayer and devotion. The lotus flower represents beauty and purity. The bell, which is rung three consecutive times, calls attention to the ceremony. The gifts of water and fire are also given back to the deities as an offering. |
|
Mother Dhara prepares a meal to be offered up to Krishna for Mangala Aarti, the early morning ceremony. |
|
Devotees worship the half-man, half-lion form of Lord Krishna, Lord Nrisimhadeva. This material form of Krishna is both man and animal. Lord Krishna came down to Earth in this form to demonstrate his love for his devotees as well as his intolerance with their mistreatments. |
|
A devotee offers respect to the three deities; Jagannath (center), another name for Krishna; Baladev (left) Krishna's brother; and Subhadra (right), Krishna's sister. In this worshiped form, Krishna is never alone, but has the companionship of his siblings. |
|
A devotee offers the "ghee" lamp made of clarified butter and cotton candles called damadar wicks. "Damadar" is another name for Krishna. The devotee offers the light of the fire to the deities as part of "Aarti" which offers earth, wind, fire and water back to the deities. |
|
After the "ghee" lamp is offered to Lord Krishna, a loving exchange is made among the devotees. Each devotee brings their hands to their head over the ghee lamp at the mercy of God. |
|
The Hare Krishna mantra and other chants are put to rhythmic music as a part of worship to Lord Krishna during a service at the temple. |
|
Through rhythm and dance, devotees express a passion for their love of Krishna. |
|
Community members dance as a form of meditation and a way to connect with Lord Krishna. Each person dances to his or her internal beat or as a group to show their devotion and love for God. |
|
Members show their devotion to Krishna in unique ways. Whether lying on the floor in meditation, kneeling before the deities or dancing to the Hare Krishna mantra, they devote their lives to finding eternal peace with God and ultimately, a transcendental existence. |
|
Namaskar is a form of meditation used to show respect. This position is performed during the morning services, upon entering a holy place, to show respect toward another devotee or in front of a deity or person with an elevated position. Children may use this position to show reverence to their parents as well. |
|
New Vrindaban Vice President Janaka meditates to the Hare Krishna mantra during the morning prayer time called "Mangala Aarti." Meditating to the mantra exudes the very essence and importance of Krishna consciousness. It allows the devotees to concentrate on their love for Krishna and tune into their spiritual self. |
|
Devotees at New Vrindaban chant on prayer beads called "jappa" as a form of meditation. Chanting involves repeating the Hare Krishna mantra "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare." The mantra is chanted 108 times (once per bead) for 16 rounds. |
|
Drinking the nectar of Krishna's feet is an offering of love and acknowledgment to the Lord and is a way to recognize his purity. The nectar of the feet is made of flower petals, honey, saffron, and water. After drinking the nectar devotees cleanse their hands with water for purity. |
|
The Tulsi tree is the plant form of the Goddess Vrinda, who provided her sacred forest as a sanctuary for Krishna and his companion, Radha. During morning services, devotees circle the Tulsi tree in worship and chant prayers to Vrinda so they may enter her forest where Krishna stays. |
