Janmashtami celebrated with fervour in UK
Monday, 22/08/2011
http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/janmashtami-celebrated-with-fervour-in-uk_727705.html
Thousands of devotees in the UK on Monday attended a two-day Janmashtami festival, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, at the Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford town.
Believed to be the world's largest Hindu festival outside India, up to 72,000 people took part in the Janmashtami festival, which featured hundreds of children dressed up like Lord Krishna, with their faces painted blue, many carrying flutes and wearing peacock feathers in their hair.
Another highlight included a flowered walkway through the spiritual gardens and woodland.
The site was donated to the Hare Krishna movement by former Beatle George Harrison in 1973.
The entire festival was run by 1,500 volunteers from the community. Srutidharma Das, President of the manor, said celebrations of faith were important.
"The Janmashtami festival is a festival of peace in what are troubled times...Ahimsa is a very important belief in Hinduism and the cow symbolises peace and prosperity in society. When the relationship between humans and cattle is correct everything in the world is in harmony," he said.
Das said there is an imbalance in society. He said these festivals reiterate people's values and make them into better people.
"We can integrate but still have our culture. We have to follow the laws of the land, but following our culture will enhance the fact that we are part of Britain," he underlined.
As pilgrims entered the huge festival site, they passed through the new farm complex which has been recognised as a blue-print for compassionate and sustainable farming which will change the way people think about how their food is produced.
Farm manager Stuard Coyle said people are beginning to care more about what they consume and how it got to their plate.
"The belief in the old adage, 'you are what you eat' shows the change in people's awareness that they are beginning to care more how food and drink is produced," he said.
Janmashtami was also celebrated at the Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple in Tividale in West Midlands. The temple is set in a 21.5 acre site, with a number of different shrines and other facilities and it has grown over a 10-year period to become physicall the largest South Indian temple precinct in Europe. Leading London-based NRI hotelier Joginder Sanger played a key role in building the Balaji Temple, by raising necessary funds for the project.
