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The Indian community had started to stream into Radha Madhav Dham to partake the delicious prasad dinner that was served. Meanwhile insideShree Raseshwari Radha Rani’s temple the atmosphere exuded aheart-stirringbouquet with its daintily detailed decorations offragrant flowers. The Jhulan swung sweetly -entwined intricately with red, blue, green and yellow blossomy adornments; Shree Baby Krishna sleptsoundly while devotees softly rocked his cradle.

Outside, a stage had been set up, especially for the little children who were entertained with stories from Krishna leelas,that came directly from the dressed up characters like Mother Yashoda, Nandbaba, Kans who enacted their storiesand allowed the kids to ask their innocent questions. Then the local community children came on the stageto perform their group dances. It was difficult to decide whether to watch the wonderful dances, or to watch that intensity of the proud parents transfixed with their video cameras spinning.

Then, began the cultural program with three leela performances and some very poignant dances weaved  within the leelas to create a dance drama depicting the sweetness of Shree Krishna’s life on earth planet.  All performances brimmed with a kind of sweet charm, that only Shree Krishna Himself must have had been responsible for – raining down his causeless Grace upon them.

The crowd fell silent; broken finally by the dancers who sprung onto the stage and performed a mesmerizingly fast dance celebrating the glories of the Lord and the Killing of Kans – Govind Bolo HariGopal Bolo….the crowds joined in the chorus, singing & clapping in joyous appreciation.

The words from Didiji’s speech came alive “….another reason the Lord descends is to establish the principles of righteousness, and destroy unrighteousness.  To protect the sages and saints and the holy people, andto let love and devotion prevail.”

Afterwards, kirtanand chanting continued on into the night.  A long, luxurious and emotional Hari-bol chanting enraptured the devotees into dancing and loud chanting until midnight, whereupon midnight arti was done and Shree Kishna’s birthday celebrations completed with delicious birthday cake served as prasadam…

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