Holyname Festival (Naamotsavam) & Makara Sankranti

Kindly join us for an immersive meditation on Holynames of Sri Krishna on the occassion of auspicious Makara Sankranthi.

Date: Friday Jan 16, 2026

Time: 18:30:00 (Eastern Time)

Location: 3E, 25 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10003

nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś

caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ

pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto

’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ

Translation

‘The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kṛṣṇa’s name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kṛṣṇa Himself. Since Kṛṣṇa’s name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with māyā. Kṛṣṇa’s name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa Himself are identical’ (Sri Caitanya-caritamrita, Madhya, 17.133).

Please join us for a special Holyname Festival (Naamotsavam) on the commemorative day when Sri Caitnaya Mahaprabhu, dedicated his life for spreading the holynames of Sri Krishna. Our event is an opportunity to come together abosrb ourselves in holynames and offer prayers that we, our loved ones, and everyone around the globe may be touched by Divine sound vibrations.

The event's agenda includes singing of songs, enlightening talk, group mediation, drama and dance all about holynames of Sri Krishna. A vegetarian dinner will be served to all attendees, fostering a sense of community and togetherness.

If you have prayer beads, please bring along with you to the event. We have limited number of beads at the temple.

Schedule:

6:30 pm - Gaura Arati, Narasimha Arati

7:00 pm - Kirtan

7:15 pm - Drama by Jambavan pr

7:25 pm - Talk by Yadunath pr

8:10 pm - Group Chanting, Reflections

8:30 pm - Dance performance by Smt. Varshini Krishnaswamy

8:45 pm - Shayan Kirtan

9:00 pm - Dinner Prasadam

Breif on Dance Performance:

Andal’s 29th pasuram “siRRam siRu kaalE” is where the gopīs tell Krishna that their real wish in doing the pāvai nōnbu is not material boons, but lifelong, uninterrupted service to him alone, without any other desire entering their minds.
In the 30th pasuram “vaṅga kadal kadainda”, Andal comes out in her own voice and declares that anyone who recites these thirty verses with faith will receive Krishna’s grace, gaining both spiritual welfare and auspiciousness in this world and the next.

Yei Ho Vitthale” (often heard as “eh ho vittale”) is a popular Marathi devotional song (aarti/bhajan) praising Lord Vitthal, also known as Vithoba or Panduranga, the form of Krishna worshipped especially at Pandharpur in Maharashtra.
The lyrics express a devotee’s loving call to Vitthal as a compassionate mother-like figure, filled with longing for the Lord’s darshan and constant divine presence.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bhakti Center, 25 1st Avenue, New York, United States

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