Iskcon Brisbane’s Janmastami is back in 2021!

Brisbane’s largest Janmastami festival is set to attract devotees and guests from all around the city at the Croatian Club Brisbane Rocklea to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

On Tuesday 31st August, the Croatian Club Brisbane will be transformed into a spectacular arena enabling festival goers to experience the magic of Janmastami. From 5pm onwards visitors can look forward to an enthralling stage program with dramas, live music and dance; experience the cuisine of India; shop from the bazaar; and keep children entertained with fun and engaging activities.

“Due to Covid restrictions in 2020, Janmastami was mainly celebrated at people's homes, however since the restrictions have eased compared to last year, we can hold the event at the Croatian Community centre. Devotees can stay until the midnight arati ceremony - celebrating the exact time of Lord Krishna’s birth,” explains festival organiser Rohan Sheth.

“With a bigger venue, and years of experience, we’ve started working earlier to make this festival even bigger and better than previous years,” Mr Sheth said.

For more than 5 years, the Janmastami organised by the Hare Krishna community has been headed and organised by the youth of the society. They bring innovation and dynamism to the traditional event - making it fun and appealing for people of all ages. From the decor, to the stage program, and even the different engaging activities - all aspects of the festival have a unique flavour.

The festival will begin at 5pm and go on until midnight - which is the exact time of the birth of Lord Krishna - in whose honour this festival is celebrated. The stage program will consist of live music, arati ceremonies, the abhishek (ceremonious bathing of the Lords), dramas and spiritual discourses. For those that want something more interactive - they can check out the many stalls on offer, grab a scrumptious bite or watch as their children engage in various fun activities at the kids stall.

“We’ve really tried hard to keep making the festival better than previous years - we want it to be an event that everyone looks forward to - not something that people are dragged along to come because of cultural obligations,” explains Jalaj Guwalani who has co-organised the festival for more than 3 years in a row.

“And we’ve begun to see that over the past few years - with increasing numbers, and more people attending the festival for longer periods of time. Guests are engaged with each aspect of the festival - and it’s great to see their enthusiasm and appreciation for the whole event,” comments Mr Guwalani.

Several dignitaries and prominent personalities have confirmed their attendance for this year’s Janmastami, lending their support to the Hare Krishna community and all its initiatives.