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Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami Contests for Kids & Families

Encourage your children to celebrate Krishna consciousness through recitation, dress-up, quiz, music, storytelling, and creative arts. All participants receive the blessings of Lord Krishna!

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Dress to be Blessed

Dress your child in the most attractive Krishna attire and win prizes for the most impressive attires!

3 – 6 years · 7 – 10 years · 11 – 15 years
Open Offline Online

Shlokanjali

Sloka Memorisation Challenge! Recite slokas from Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam for different age groups.

Up to 6 years · 7 – 10 years · 11 – 15 years · 16 years & above
Open Offline Online

Kaun Banega Krishna Mati

How much do you know about Krishna? Our Quiz Master will test your knowledge of Lord Krishna's pastimes!

7 – 10 years · 11 – 16 years · 16 years & above
Open Offline

Kalanjali

Bring out the artist in you! A colouring and drawing competition for kids to express their devotion through art.

Up to 6 years · 7 – 10 years · 11 – 16 years · 16 years & above
Open Offline Online

Kirtanam

Sing and express your devotion with a melodious bhajan! Show your love to Krishna by singing His glories.

Up to 6 years · 7 – 10 years · 11 – 15 years
Open Offline Online

Kathamrta

Let's meditate on the Lord's appearance day by reciting His wonderful pastimes through storytelling.

Up to 6 years · 7 – 10 years · 11 – 15 years

Detailed Contest Rules

Dress to be Blessed Open

Dress your child in the most attractive Krishna attire and win prizes for the most impressive attires!

Age Groups & Eligibility

Group 1
3 – 6 years
Dress and enact your favourite character from Lord Krishna's Vrindavan leela. Time: 1 min per participant.
Group 2
7 – 10 years
Dress and act out your favourite character from Vedic pastimes and tell us about your character. Time: 1 min per participant.
Group 3
11 – 15 years
Dress and hone your acting skills by depicting inspiring events from Krishna Lila, Ram Leela, Chaitanya Leela. Time: 2 mins per participant.
Venue: ISKCON Seshadripuram
Schedule: Schedule will be announced

Evaluation Criteria

Authenticity, adherence to time limit

Prizes & Blessings

Attractive prizes for the winners. Blessings of Lord Krishna to every participant.

Shlokanjali Open

Sloka Memorisation Challenge! Recite slokas from Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam for different age groups.

Age Groups & Eligibility

Group 1
Up to 6 years
Syllabus: Slokas from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 3. Recite any 5 slokas from Chapter 3.
Group 2
7 – 10 years
Syllabus: Slokas from Bhagavad Gita Chapter 10. Recite 8 slokas from Chapter 10 with the sloka number and translation of any one. Translation from Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada.
Group 3
11 – 15 years
Syllabus: Bhagavad Gita Chapter 7, Slokas 1–8. Recite BG 7.1–7.8 and translation of any 4 slokas. Translation from Bhagavad Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada.
Group 4
16 years & above
Syllabus: Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 10, Chapter 90, Sloka 47–50. Recite SB 10.90.47–50 with translation by Srila Prabhupada.
Venue: ISKCON Seshadripuram (Offline) / Zoom (Online)
Schedule: Schedule will be announced

Evaluation Criteria

Completeness, correctness of words, pronunciation, and meter

Prizes & Blessings

Attractive prizes for the top three winners. Blessings of Lord Krishna to every participant.

Kaun Banega Krishna Mati Open

How much do you know about Krishna? Our Quiz Master will test your knowledge of Lord Krishna's pastimes!

Age Groups & Eligibility

Group 2
7 – 10 years
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Lord Krishna's pastimes, Ramayana and Mahabharat. Basic Knowledge about Srila Prabhupada & ISKCON. Format: Multiple Choice Questions quiz.
Group 3
11 – 16 years
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Lord Krishna's pastimes, Ramayana and Mahabharat. Knowledge about Srila Prabhupada & ISKCON. Format: Multiple Choice Questions quiz.
Group 4
16 years & above
Prerequisites: Knowledge of Lord Krishna's pastimes, Ramayana and Mahabharat. Knowledge about Srila Prabhupada & ISKCON. Format: Multiple Choice Questions quiz.
Venue: ISKCON Seshadripuram (Offline) / Zoom (Online)
Schedule: Schedule will be announced. Finals held offline at ISKCON Seshadripuram.

Evaluation Criteria

Accuracy of answers in MCQ quiz. Top scorers move to finals.

Prizes & Blessings

Attractive prizes for the winners. Blessings of Lord Krishna to every participant.

Kalanjali Open

Bring out the artist in you! A colouring and drawing competition for kids to express their devotion through art.

Age Groups & Eligibility

Group 1
Up to 6 years
Kids will be given colouring sheets. They will have to bring their own colour pencils, sketch pens, paints etc.
Group 2
7 – 10 years
Kids will be given colouring sheets. They will have to bring their own colour pencils, sketch pens, paints etc.
Group 3
11 – 16 years
Draw or sketch the Lord's pastime or an Acharya's picture and colour the same. Picture should be authentic and adhering to Vedic version.
Group 4
16 years & above
Draw or sketch the Lord's pastime or an Acharya's picture and colour the same. Picture should be authentic and adhering to Vedic version.
Venue: ISKCON Seshadripuram
Schedule: Schedule will be announced

Evaluation Criteria

Completeness, Creativity/Innovation, Neatness, Choice of colours

Prizes & Blessings

Attractive prizes for the top three winners. Blessings of Lord Krishna to every participant.

Kirtanam Open

Sing and express your devotion with a melodious bhajan! Show your love to Krishna by singing His glories.

Age Groups & Eligibility

Group 1
Up to 6 years
Sing any one of the following bhajans: (1) Hari Haraya Namah — first 2 stanzas, (2) Narasimha Arati, (3) Tarakka Bindige. Refer to provided links for proper lyrics and tune. Time: 3 min per participant.
Group 2
7 – 10 years
Sing any one bhajan: (1) Adharam Madhuram, (2) Bhaju Re Mana, (3) Allide Namma Mane. Song can be accompanied by a musical instrument. Refer to provided links for proper lyrics and tune. Time: 3 min per participant.
Group 3
11 – 15 years
Sing any one bhajan: (1) Sri Nanda Nandanashtakam, (2) Jaya Radhe Jaya Krishna, (3) Thallanisadiru Kandya. Song can be accompanied by a musical instrument. Refer to provided links for proper lyrics and tune. Time: 3 min per participant.
Venue: ISKCON Seshadripuram (Offline) / Zoom (Online)
Schedule: Schedule will be announced

Evaluation Criteria

Completeness, Raga & bhava (melody and emotion)

Prizes & Blessings

Attractive prizes for the top three winners. Blessings of Lord Krishna to every participant.

Kathamrta Open

Let's meditate on the Lord's appearance day by reciting His wonderful pastimes through storytelling.

Age Groups & Eligibility

Group 1
Up to 6 years
Narrate any one pastime of Krishna and the demons (demons in Krishna leela). Props can be used. Time: 3 min per participant.
Group 2
7 – 10 years
Narrate any pastime from Ramayana or Mahabharata and explain the lesson learnt. Props can be used. Time: 3 min per participant.
Group 3
11 – 15 years
Narrate any pastime of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Props and mimicry can be used. Time: 3 min per participant.
Venue: ISKCON Seshadripuram (Offline) / Zoom (Online)
Schedule: Schedule will be announced

Evaluation Criteria

Authenticity, message and storytelling skills

Prizes & Blessings

Attractive prizes for the top three winners. Blessings of Lord Krishna to every participant.

Offer Your Seva for Janmashtami

Participate in the sacred festivities by offering your devotional service. Your contributions help make this grand celebration possible.

Panchamrita Abhisheka

Participate in the sacred bathing ceremony of the Lord with five nectarean substances — milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar.

Offer Seva

Janmashtami Homam

Sponsor the sacred fire ceremony invoking the Lord's presence and blessings for the well-being of all beings.

Offer Seva

Janmashtami Archana

Offer special flower and mantra worship to the Lord on His auspicious appearance day.

Offer Seva

Contest Registration

Register for your chosen contest. Registration fee is ₹108 per participant per contest. Secure your spot today!

Participant Details

Registration Fee
₹108
Per participant · Per contest
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For any queries regarding contest registration, please contact the temple at +91 99860 77269
Birth of Lord Krishna

Vrata & Worship Overview

Calendar: Celebrated on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (8th day of waning moon) (August/September)
Significance: The appearance day of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, to end evil and protect His devotees.
Key Highlights: Day-long fasting until midnight, grand abhishekam, elaborate flower decorations, 108 dishes offered, and ecstatic midnight arati.
Observance: Held on the scheduled event date. Please check the Vaishnava Calendar for the exact day this year.

Janmashtami is one of the most prominent festivals, celebrated with great grandeur and enthusiasm to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. Devotees express their love for the Lord through fasts, night sankirtans, dramatic presentations, and temple offerings.

The advent of Lord Krishna is highly significant. The reason for the Supreme Lord's descent is to end the cruel rule of demon Kansa and give pleasure to His surrendered devotees. Lord Krishna appeared in the prison of Mathura at midnight on the eighth day of Krishna paksha to Mother Devaki and Vasudeva.

Prophecy and the Trials of Devaki

According to the Puranas, King Kansa made grand arrangements for the marriage of his sister Devaki. But during the wedding procession, a voice from the sky foretold that Devaki's eighth son would destroy Kansa and end his dictatorial rule. In a rage, Kansa grabbed Devaki's hair to kill her. Vasudeva stepped in with patience and wisdom to save his wife, promising Kansa that they would hand over every child born to them.

The Divine Descent

At midnight, the eighth child appeared. Lord Krishna descended not as an ordinary human child, but in His four-armed (chaturbhuj) form, adorned with jewels, holding a disc, conch, club, and lotus. He then adopted the form of a small baby. As soon as the Lord appeared, the shackles unlocked, the iron gates of the prison cell opened by themselves, and all the guards fell under a deep magic spell.

"yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata
abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛijāmyaham"

"Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion—at that time I descend Myself." — Bhagavad Gita 4.7

How Janmashtami is Celebrated

  • Fasting: Devotees fast the entire day until midnight to focus their thoughts on Krishna.
  • Abhisheka: The deities are bathed in auspicious liquids (milk, honey, yogurt, fruit juices) in a grand, two-hour ceremony.
  • Offerings: Priests offer a massive feast of over a hundred different preparations.
  • Bhajans & Kirtans: Congregational singing of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra echoes throughout the day.
  • Altar Opening: At midnight, the curtains pull back to reveal the freshly dressed deities on a beautifully festooned altar, followed by a rousing, ecstatic arati.

Historical Background

Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared in the prison of Mathura at midnight on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami. Born to Devaki and Vasudeva, Krishna advent was prophesied to end the tyrannical rule of King Kansa.

Spiritual Significance

Lord Krishna appearance marks the descent of the Absolute Truth into this material world. As He states in the Bhagavad-gita (4.7-8), Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, I descend Myself.

Blessings & Benefits

Sponsoring Janmashtami celebrations brings immense spiritual blessings. Fasting and worshipping on this day removes all sins and bestows liberation. Donors receive the Lord special blessings and protection.

Janmashtami

Support this sacred occasion by offering your contribution. Every donation, no matter how small, is a cherished offering to the Lord.

Offer Janmashtami Seva