CHICAGO: The Hindu Mandir of Lake County, Grayslake, a Chicago suburb, celebrated its special Shravan Masa Hindola Mahotsav or swing festival with much pomp and zeal on Sunday, Jul 16, 2023 with many devotees’ bringing their deities.
The origins of Hindola in Vrindavan go back to 5000 years where Ma Yashoda and Gopis swayed Lord Krishna on a decorated swing.
The Program started with Lord Ganesh Pujan and sponsor Sankalpam by the temple priests, Pt. Anil Joshi Ji, Pt. Balaji Gopal, and Pt. Radha Krishna. Shri Krishna Abhishekam was performed with different fresh homemade juices and saffron milk. Special Vastram and Alankaram were offered while Rita Patel, Pt. Devaraj Joshi Ji, sang Bhajans with Kamalesh Desai and Atul Soni as accompany
Devotees rocked Lord Krishna in a decorated swing for his pleasure with much devotion and divine joy. The back and forth motion of Lord’s swing brings a heavenly bliss and represents a journey away from the mundane worries of the world. The swinging motion creates delight and takes you to the world of spirituality.
Pt. Joshi Chief priest, narrated the story of Hindola Utsav brilliantly to all the devotees. He said that Ma Yashoda organized Hindola Utsav when Krishna went to graze cows for the first time to the forest. She thought that he might be thirsty and tired on his way back from the forest. Therefore, Ma Yashoda and Gopis arranged fresh fruits and juices for Krishna and other Gopas. They also rocked Lord Krishna on a decorated swing in the forests of Vrindavan. That time, all Devi and Devatas also came down in the form of birds and animals to see Ma Yashoda’s pure love for her child.
The basic message he gave to the devotees is that the nature is created by the Lord and everything grown there belongs to him. So, we need to offer to HIM before consuming them. This applies to all the food grains, fruits, and whatever we consume at any time of the year. Devotees brought their family deities to participate in the Hindola Utsav of this grand scale and fulfilled the concept of all Devi and Devatas attending Lord Krishna’s Hindola Utsav. Pandit Joshi blessed all the devotees for their happy and long life.
After Maha Mangalarati, temple offered Maha Prasadam consisting of fresh fruits, juices namely lassi, Aam Panna, Thandai, Kichadi and yogurt, to all devotees.
Geetha Patil
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