Russians join Indians for Janmashtami

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Friday August 22 2003 00:11 IST

 

Russians join Indians to celebrate Janmashtami

 

IANS

 

MOSCOW: Thousands of Russians, including members of the International

Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), joined Indians here to

celebrate Janmashtami, which commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna.

 

Amid unprecedented security measures in the face of growing terrorist

attacks in crowded places, the celebrations took place in a huge camp

constructed specially for the occasion.

 

Thousands of Indians and Russians poured into Moscow's downtown

Khoroshevskoye Shose, home to Russia's lone Hindu temple, to offer

prayers to Lord Krishna from midday Wednesday.

 

As the Indians looked on, Russian Hindu 'pandits' or priests

performed rituals like 'abhishek', 'pravachan' and 'parikrama'

associated with Janmashtami.

 

The magnificently decorated area gave the impression of an

Indian 'mela' or festival as worshippers chanted mantras and Indian

songs filled the air. Stalls selling Indian souvenirs, spices and

food added to the atmosphere.

 

Groups of Russian ISKCON members, wearing pink dresses, played drums

and danced while chanting "Hare Ram, Hare Krishna".

 

"Russians like Indian festivals because we have common roots," said

Indologist Natalia Guseva, who has researched the common origin of

Indians and Russians.

 

"These colourful festivals bring us a lot of joy and make our time-

tested friendship stronger."

 

Children were the happiest of the lot as a host of games,

competitions and plays kept them busy through the sunny day. On

Wednesday evening, a large crowd gathered to watch a cultural

programme staged in a marqee decorated with Indian religious motifs.

 

Russian artistes and children of the Indian School in Moscow

presented songs and dances dedicated to Lord Krishna. The crowd was

spellbound when artists of Moscow's Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre

presented dances reflecting Krishna's romance with gopis.

 

Russian girls, dressed in colourful Indian attire and ornaments,

proved more than a match for their Indian counterparts in presenting

several dances. A drama depicting aspects of Lord Krisna's life was

followed by Maha Yagna and Maha Aarati. Addressing the crowd, India's

ambassador to Russia, K. Raghunath, wished peace, prosperity and

happiness to every family.

 

Among the crowd were Russian cultural personalities like artist

Natalia Durova and singer Rastislav Sergeyev. Most leading channels

like NTV, RenTV and TVC widely covered the Janmashtami celebrations,

an uncommon gesture.