ISKCON celebrates Sri Nityananda Trayodasi

Geetha Patil
BOSTON: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Boston temple celebrated Sri Nityananda Trayodasi with great gaiety and all spiritual fervor on Sunday, February 17 with a large number of devotees flocking in from different cities of the Greater Boston area.
This day marks the auspicious appearance day of Shri Nityananda Prabhu. Heappeared as Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s principal associate for spreading the Sankirana (congregational chanting) movement of the Holy Names of the Lord

The start was with the dedicated temple singers performing Kirtan in a call and response singing fashion, followed by lecture on Shri Nityananda Prabhu’s life and his achievement. Aarti and kirtan followed again. Abhishekam of deities with all Vedic rituals was performed by the temple priests Shri Charanrenu Dasa, Shri NiskinchanNitai Dasa and Vanamali Pandit Dasa with the special Abhishekam sponsors, Ravi Ika, Krishna Ika and family.
Shri Vanamali Pandit Prabhu, the president of the temple, thanked all the devotees for their active participation, the sponsors of the festival for their support and all the volunteers for their dedicated services. He was also thankful to Maha Prasadam sponsors: Shri Chaitya Guru and Smt. Sacimata, Smt. Lisa Rangoonan, and Shri Lakshmi Narayan Prabhu and Shri Thiru Prabhu. After Maha Mangal aarti, a sumptuous Maha Prasadam was served to all the devotees.

Shri Nityananda Prabhu was born in 1474 AD in the village of Ekachakra, now in West Bengal as the son of Smt. Padmavati and Hadai Pandita. He was born on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magha (Magha Shukla Trayodasi). Even today, pilgrims visit the place of birth of Shri Nityananda in Ekachakra. His temple is called Garbhavasa.
To help Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in His mission, Shri Nityananda Prabhu appeared like Lord Balarama appeared to help the Supreme Lord. He especially spread the Holy Name of Krishna throughout Bengal. His beauty was so enchanting that wherever he moved, crowds of people followed him and became lovers of God.