Nityananda Trayodashi at Sri Sri Narsimha Giridhari
Temple, ISKCON Bangalore

BY: GIRIDHARI TIMES

Feb 15, 2014 — BANGALORE, INDIA (SUN) — A Glimpse of Sri Nityananda Trayodashi celebration at Sri Sri Narsimha Giridhari Temple, ISKCON Bangalore.

Nityananda Prabhu appeared as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord. Lord Nityananda appeared about twenty years before the appearance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. To commemorate this event, Nityananda Trayodashi - a festival glorifying the auspicious Appearance of Lord Nityananda was celebrated this year in a grand manner on 12th February, 2014. A large number of devotees assembled at Sri Sri Gandharvika Giridhari Mandir to celebrate the festival. This is a very important celebration to all the devotees, as without the mercy of Nitai, one cannot get the mercy of Nimai.

Devotees observed fasting until noon on Nityananda Trayodashi. The utsava deities of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai were decorated gorgeously with flowers and tulasi garlands. The beautiful darshan of the brilliantly decorated Gaur Nitai brought joy into the hearts of the assembled devotees, causing a jubilant and enthusiastic kirtan to ensue, thus inspiring everyone to dance in bliss.

A grand ceremonial bath was performed for Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai. The Deities were given a sandal oil massage. After the massage the Deities were bathed with panchagavya, which is a combination of milk, curd, sweetened water, ghee and honey. The Deities were then bathed with herbal extracts, scented water, exotic fruit juices, flowers, etc.

A tumultuous kirtana accompanied the abhisheka ceremony which surcharged the atmosphere with the ecstasy of hari-nama sankirtana.

Nityananda Prabhu's pastimes from Sri Caitanya-caritamrita were narrated after the abhisheka. The festival culminated in a grand arati to the Deities. Tambula and flowers were offered to Their Lordships during this time. This was followed by a sumptuous prasadam feast for all the assembled devotees.