Dr Rajesh
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Gujarat Special Janmashtami Celebrations Light Up The Art of Living International Center with Devotion, Culture, and Joy
Bengaluru, August 18, 2025: The Art of Living International Center came alive this weekend in a burst of colors, music, and devotion as thousands of devotees from Gujarat gathered to celebrate Janmashtami in the auspicious presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. What unfolded over two days was a deeply joyous celebration of Krishna’s life enlivened through dance, music, satsang, and a magnificent Annakut offering.
In his Janmashtami address, Gurudev shared, “Step by step, Krishna guides Arjuna, and in the end he says — abandon everything and take refuge in Me alone,” he said, reminding the gathering that peace and joy come not from struggle, but from surrender. In an eternally resonant message of Krishna, Gurudev shared a moving example of a time when one of the prisoners from a Denmark prison asked him if they will ever be forgiven for their sins, to which Gurudev said, “If you walk on this path, very soon you will become a virtuous soul. When you are united with the Divine, with devotion, with meditation, you quickly become a righteous soul. It doesn’t take very long, just as it doesn’t take time to light up a room that has remained dark for a very long time.”
On August 16, Janmashtami evening, the ashram echoed with the rhythm of Garba as devotees. Gurudev was welcomed with a traditional greeting followed by a Maha Aarti that filled the scenic amphitheatre with a soft golden glow.
Talking about the essence of Lord Krishna, Gurudev shared, “Krishna’s greatest challenge was many saw him as a human. He would say, “the deluded ones think of me as human, they do not recognize me as the Supreme Consciousness. Wherever there is truth, I am there. Wherever there is beauty, that beauty is Me. Wherever there is strength, that strength is Me. Among soldiers, I am Kartikeya. Among the Adityas, I am the Sun.””
The following day, August 17, the celebrations peaked with the grand Annakut, where more than 2400 food items, including over 700 freshly prepared dishes, were offered in devotion. Rows of delicacies, carefully arranged in artistic patterns, created a breathtaking sight.
Adding to the celebrations were 30 three-dimensional tableaux (jhankis) depicting scenes from Krishna’s life, from his playful childhood to the wisdom of Kurukshetra while miniature statues, like Yashoda running after little Krishna, became an instant attraction for the visitors.
Alongside the celebrations, the Gujarat Special retreats drew over 1,500 participants to soak deep in silence, meditation and spiritual wisdom. For many, the combination of deep silence in the programs and the joyful vibrance of the festival became a journey of both inner and outer celebration.
With devotees dressed in Bandhani and Chanya Choli, the ashram wore the festive hues of Gujarat. But beyond the color and spectacle, what remained with everyone was Gurudev’s reminder: “There is no difference between you and Me. In water, on earth, in the skies- Krishna is everywhere.”
