Celebrating Sri Krishna Pushya Abhishekha

Sri Krishna Pushya Abhishekha is Sri Dham Mayapur’s first big festival of the year. Hari Bhakti Vilasa says that ghee should be rubbed on the statue of Sri Krishna on this day. “Pusya” means “nourishing” and this holy act with ghee is nourishing. Pusya abhisheka is a ceremony in which many flowers, ornaments and clothes decorate a deity. In Pushpavan, near Kusum Sarovar, they have many gardens to make beautiful garlands for Krishna to wear when they meet at Radha Kund. Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s flower, Abhishek, was covered in thousands of flower petals. Devotees used more than 5,000 flowers for the sandhya arati or afternoon offering.

Introduction

On the last day of the astrological month (Pushyami nakshatra) in the month of Pausa, Narayana (December-January), one is told to bathe the Deity in five seers of ghee (approximately 2.5kg of ghee). Hari Bhakti Vilasa says that ghee should be rubbed on the statue of Sri Krishna on this day. “Pusya” means “nourishing” and this holy act with ghee, which is very nourishing, is the same as when the asvamedha sacrifice is made.

Every year on this day, hundreds of kilos of colourful and fragrant flowers are used for bathing the gods in a beautiful ceremony called Abhishek.

Sri Krishna Pushya Abhishekha Described in Skanda Purana

In the Skanda Purana, chapter 2.2.42, it says that Sri Krishna Pushya Abhishekha is one of the festivals held in Puri for Lord Jagannath. This chapter provides a wealth of information regarding the various ways in which the event might be celebrated. In Skanda Purana 2.27.99, the Pusya-naksatra is also mentioned. It says that Lord Jagannath was set up in the original temple in Puri on a Thursday, Ashtami tithi, during Sukla-paksha of the month of Vaishakha, at the same time as the Pusya-nakshatra.

Flowers are an essential part of our culture. It’s how we treat important guests. It’s how we respect the spiritual master and the Vaishnavas. It is a way to show respect and worship. Offering flowers to Lord Krishna is a simple thing to do, but it’s also a deep meditation. Whether you’re putting flowers on a string or pulling them apart, every flower should be an offering to Krishna out of love and devotion.

What Preparations Devotees Do for this Festival?

The people of Mayapur sit around and pick the soft petals off of different kinds of flowers to get ready for the festival. There are about five kinds of Chandra Mallika flowers, three types of dopati, marigolds and dalia flowers, and thousands of roses. All of the flowers come from various parts of India. The plucking proceeds till dusk, as basket after basket gets brimmed with fragrant petals. No matter how old or young they are, every flower petal they pick is an offering and a cry for help to reach the highest perfection of life.

Srila Prabhupada once said about the festival: “Lord Krishna was just a toy in the Gopis’ hands, so one day, the Gopis decided to decorate Him. Pusya abhisheka is a ceremony in which many flowers, ornaments, and clothes decorate a deity. After that, there should be a big party and a parade through the streets so everyone can see how beautiful Krishna looks.”

In the spiritual world, the Gopis use feathers, fruits, leaves, and flowers to decorate Krishna and Balaram. In Pushpavan, near Kusum Sarovar, they have many gardens. Just before noon every day, Srimati Radharani picks flowers from one of these gardens to make beautiful garlands for Krishna to wear when they meet at Radha Kund.

His Majesty Srila Prabhupada told Jananivasa Prabhu to celebrate festivals in Sri Dham Mayapur that had to do with the pastimes of Sri Sri Sri Radha Krishna in a big way.

So, now, just for the Abhishek, the devotees make petals from more than 30,000 Chrysanthemum or Chandra Mallika flowers in different colours, 50 kilos of dopati flower or impatiens balsamina in white, light pink, orange, dark pink, purple, and red, 240 marigold flower garlands in yellow and orange, and more than 40,000 roses.

How to Celebrate Sri Krishna Pusya Abhiseka?

A lot of devotees and pilgrims come to the festival at the same time. Both Sri Sri Radha Madhava and Pancha-tattva take your breath away when the curtains are opened. Many people in the temple stood in shock for a few minutes, taking darshan and singing the Krishna mantra to their lords. They stand with their new floral clothes, jewellery, flower garlands, Tulsi garlands, and anklets all around them. Just for the skirts, the devotees use more than 5,000 flowers each. Sri Madhava also wears a special flower outfit that perfectly fits His Tribanga form, as well as flower jewellery and mukut pieces for His turban.

What is Done at Sandjya Aarti During this Festival?

But the morning darshan is just the start of this festival of happiness. In the evening, devotees gather to watch Sri Sri Radha Madhava’s flower, Abhishek. After the sandhya arati, or afternoon offering, when it’s finally time for the abhiseka, the Utsav murtis, or small Radha Madhava statues, the festival is at its peak. To everyone’s delight, the deities come forward, and the abhiseka begins. Sri Sri Radha Madhava is showered with flower petals while Mantra meditation and chanting of the Holy name go on simultaneously.

As everyone watches in amazement, a beautiful hobby is revealed: the gods are covered in a mountain of flower petals from every direction. When the festival is finally over, the devotees do Hare Krishna chanting louder, and the kirtan moves even faster. Their Lordships return to the altar to get dressed in new clothes, and everyone returns home with a sweet memory of the festival.

Conclusion

All the devotees who go to this festival have a wonderful, blissful time. It gives them a real taste of what it might be like in the spiritual realm. You should know about the ISKCON temple timings before going.