Bangalore, April 21 2025: The Brahma Rathotsava was celebrated at ISKCON
Bangalore on April 21 this year as part of the annual Brahmotsava festival. This
auspicious day marked the appearance of the Deities on the Hare Krishna Hill.
The Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Krishna Balarama and Sri Nitai
Gauranga were taken on a procession around the temple on a special wooden
chariot known as Brahma Ratha on this occasion
Brahmotsava is an important festival of ISKCON Bangalore that commemorates
the divine appearance of the Deities in the temple on Hare Krishna Hill. They
were installed in the year 1997 on the auspicious tithi of Purvashadha in the
month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. On Brahma Rathotsava, Sri
Radha Krishnachandra were adorned in a vishesha alankara and offered an
elaborate naivedya consisting of 108 items.
Spiritual leaders, distinguished guests and lakhs of devotees from all over India
have been participating in this 13-day event. His Holiness Sri Vedavardhana
Tirtha Swamiji, the 31st Pithadhipathi of Shiroor Mutt, His Holiness Sri
Raghuvijaya Theertha Swamiji, the 33rd Peetadhipathi of Shree Kudli Aarya
Akshobhya Teertha Matha, Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, Vedic Speaker & Author, Dr.
A.V. Nagasampige Achar, former Director of Poornaprajna Samshodhana
Mandiram, Bengaluru and Vidwan Sri Satyadhyanacharya Katti, Principal of Sri
Jayateertha Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru were among the dignitaries at the event.
ISKCON Bangalore is one of the temples that hosts Brahmotsava in an elaborate
manner. The Brahmotsava celebrations commenced on April 12, 2025 with
Dhvaja Arohana or the hoisting of the flag bearing the insignia of Sri Garuda
Deva. Every evening, the utsava Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra were
adorned in a special alankara and taken around the temple on different vahanas
(carriers) like Hanumad vahana, Garuda vahana, Ananta Sesha vahana and Kalpa
Vriksha vahana. Cultural programmes like the traditional chenda melam,
classical dances, theatrical plays and music were performed by devotees. These
programs enriched visitors’ spiritual experiences and highlighted ISKCON’s
commitment to youth empowerment and nurturing talent. The Deities were
also offered dolotsava seva, during which They were rocked gently on a
beautifully decorated swing, accompanied by melodious kirtans and bhajans
The Deities will be offered Churnabhisheka – an elaborate ceremonial bath with
milk, curd, honey, fresh fruit juices, panchagavya and other auspicious items on
April 22, 2025. The following day, all the utsava murtis will be carried on a
Pushpa Pallaki – a grand palanquin decorated with colourful, fragrant flower
garlands to the kalyani (temple pond) where They will be taken to a Theppotsava
(boat ride) amidst ecstatic kirtans. The festival will conclude with the Dhvaja
Avarohana ceremony (lowering of the Garuda flag) on April 23, 2025
Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bangalore, said, “We are
celebrating the Brahma Rathotsava today, and it fills our heart with joy as we
reflect on the appearance of Sri Radha Krishnachandra and other Deities on the
Hare Krishna Hill. We are fortunate that They have been accepting our services
for the past 28 years.
It gives us immense pleasure to see lakhs of devotees from across the country
enthusiastically participating in this annual festival. The temple complex is
bustling with children, youth and families, carrying indelible memories for a
lifetime. Festivals like Brahmotsava provide opportunities for people to come
together and serve Lord Krishna. We are happy that devotees from around the
world are taking part virtually by watching the celebrations every day on our
channels. We pray to Sri Radha Krishnachandra to keep us in Their service and
bless everyone with good health, peace and devotion.”
The festivities are being live-streamed on the official social media handles and
ISKCON Bangalore website every day
