GAURA PURNIMA CELEBRATIONS

COLOURFUL PROCESSION 
MARKED GAURA PURNIMA

www.thehindu.com - Donned in magenta with matching turbans studded with sequins, bright stones and tiny peacock feathers, the processional deities of Lord Krishna and Balarama were taken out in a procession at MVP Colony in Visakhapatnam, India.  The palanquin of the idols was decorated with beautiful flowers and the devotees carrying umbrella took part in the ‘pallaki utsavam’, swaying to the tunes of ‘hare rama hare krishna’ all the way through the hour-long procession. 
The celebration of transcendental appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu began with a colourful parade from Hare Krishna Movement to TTD Kalyana Mandapam. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (also known as Gauranga) was born on February 18, 1486 after the sunset on the full moon day in Nadia district of West Bengal. He was known to sweep off the stifling restrictions of caste system, transcending social barriers to attain spiritual enlightenment.

To pay respect to the noted saint for his contribution to mankind, Hare Krishna Movement has organised ‘Gaura Purnima’. The venue at TTD Kalyana Mandapam came alive with an aroma of assorted flowers arranged to suit the festive mood. Mahabhishekam of Lord Nitai Gauranga with 108 kalashas, sankirtan, mangala-aarti and annadanam were a few of the main attractions of the event. Traditionally, the celebrations in the Hare Krishna Temples start with a kirtan, then the Gaura-Nitai deities are brought in front of the altar to allow an Abhisek (bathing) to be performed. 
Many braminical priests take part in the application and pouring of honey, ghee, fruit nectar and other auspicious materials over the golden figures of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda Prabhu. Next, a senior swami or preacher gives explanation of the meaning of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s glorious appearance and the result of His mission to spread the chanting of the names of God to every town and village.

Days ago, it was celebrated "Gaura-purnima", the most auspicious appearance day of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In Mayapur (India), it is the biggest festival throughout whole year. On the eve of Gaura-purnima, an adhivasa ceremony is performed by the devotees to purify ourselves and get ready to worship and serve the Lord the next day. Generally, during the morning Srimad-Bhagavatam class is given by the leaders of the Vaishnava temples. In the evening, a grand abhiseka of Gauranga Mahaprabhu is done while attendants chant the ecstatic hari-nama sankirtana. On Gaura-purnima devotees fast till moon rise. Anukalpa maha-prasada (ekadasi-prasada) is served after moonrise, while regular grain prasada is served on the next day, Jagannatha Misra’s festival which is starting a New Year for all Gaudiya Vaishnavas. 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

It is the evening of Gaura Purnima, the night when the Lord incarnated in this world as His most munificent and merciful of all incarnations, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is accepted as the Lord Himself by the followers of the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya. Many people consider Him simply to be a great saint or a great devotee. But there are many references in sacred texts which declare Him to be the Yuga Avatar – the particular incarnation who appears in this age for the purpose of establishing the spiritual practice which is most practical for this time. ... Everything Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us on His birthday, we can give Him - each and every one of us, as an individual as well as a unit, can give him the most glorious gift by chanting together, expressing our devotion and love with every movement of our body.

Śrīla Radhanath Swami Mahārāja :
"Gaura Purnima"
"Kirtan Teachings on the Day of the Appearance of Sri Caitanya"
http://www.radhanathswami.com/2012/03/gaura-purnima-kirtan-teachings-on-the-day-of-the-appearance-of-sri-caitanya/
http://www.radhanath-swami.net/ -  http://radhanathswami.info

Published by dasavatara das - "Vedic Views on World News"
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