Sri Krishna Utsav 2025 : Glimpses into Celebration of Sri Krishna Tattva

Parvathy Maa envisaged Sri Krishna Utsava to give participants a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the myriad facets of Sri Krishna. Over the millenia, Sri Krishna has been meditated upon by many saints and sages. Each one plunges into this immeasurable ocean of Sri Krishna and emerges with unique treasures to share with the world. While some cherish superlative sweetness, madhuryata, that Sri Krishna confers, yet some cherish him as Yogishvara who conferred upon humanity the pristine wisdom of Srimad Bhagavadgita. Some look up to Him for his steadfast mission of upholding Dharma, yet some immerse into eternal leelas of Nithya Brindavana.

Keeping this multifacetedness as the core principle, Parvathy Maa conceptualised Sri Krishna Utsava that had two parts or angas. One where participants could go deep into mantra upasana of Sri Krishna, this anga was called Sri Krishna Dharana lead by a deep Sadhaka Sri Rajarshi Nandy, and in the other anga, the participants could deeply appreciate what it means to make an offering of art through dance and music recital to please Sri Krishna, this anga was titled Sri Krishna Aradhana.

How did the participants who immersed themselves into this five day long Devotional ocean?

Here is brief reflection from one of the participants , that sums up the experience beautifully:

“ I felt it was a complete retreat. I got to immerse myself fully into Sri Krishna tattva via different routes - japa, homa, songs/ Kirtana, dancing, Holi celebration and satsangs. Experienced the sweetness of Krishna throughout the retreat by engaging with fellow bhaktas and sadhaks. Was interesting to learn about the close connections between Vaishnava and Shakta traditions.

Thank you for making me part of the Utsav. Also immense gratitude to the sevaks who took care of all alankaar letting our eyes feast on beautiful murtis of Krishna, Radha Rani and Krishna Kali. Thanks to the sevaks for making our stay comfortable and taking care of us. “

Here we try to give you glimpses into the journey of Sri Krishna Utsav through pictures and highlights of this five day festival.

Day 1:

Sri Krishna Utsav joyfully commenced at the Sanatan Siddhashram on the 11th March 2025, with Sri Rajarshi Nandy at the helm of the first anga , or segment of the utsav. The participants immersed themselves in the Dharana or uninterrupted meditation on Sri Krishna. They were taught the basics of Mantra Japa practice. The eager participants observed the sublime abhisheka ritual, conducted by Sri Rajarshi ji.

The first day culminated in the evening, with dedicated japa sadhana and followed by practically profound insights provided into the sadhana path by Sri Rajarshi Nandy in question and answer session.

Sri Rajarshi Nandy shared how root sounds, bija mantras, of both Sri Krishna and Ma Kali are so similar. The Bija Mantra of Sri Krishna has prithvi tattva ( Earth element) in it, which signifies the aspect of descent of higher consciousness into the play of the material plane. Whereas, the Bija mantra of Ma Kali has fire element integrated in it, signifying the force of ascent, he said “Ma Kali wants you to rise above, beyond your limitations to reach her. If you do that then She is happy to take note of you.”

This provided a deep understanding of nuances between devotion manifest in realm of Sri Krishna’s worship and Ma Kali’s worship.

The exhibition of art works by Ma Parvathy Baul

In the Narayani Kutir Ashram Gallery space, an exhibition of woodcut prints and Chitrakatha Geethi acrylic paintings on canvas covering the theme of Krishna Leela has been shown to the participants. The big hanging paintings are usually shown only during the story telling performance of Radha Bhav, based on Sri Sanatan Das Baul’s Kaliya story composition. Here we had a rare opportunity to be able to contemplate closely the intricacies of this contemplative art that Ma integrated into the Baul tradition.

Day 2 :

Day two of Sri Krishna Utsav had some unique aspects. The participants found the sadhana an enriching and immersive experience.

The morning japa and dhyana session was led by Sri Rajarshi Nandy , followed by the Abhishekam of the unique form of Kalikrishna, conducted by Sri Ramachandra Roddam. Kalikrishna unifies the profoundly overlapping energies of Sri Krishna and Ma Kali into one form. Worship of this form of the deity is unique to Bengal. There are many lores that share this enticing episode where Krishna turns into Kali and this unique transformation is celebrated in Bengal during the special day of Rathanthi Kali amavasya - night of New moon.

The evening witnessed a profoundly moving offering of music at the lotus feet of Sri Krishna by the eminent hindustani classical vocalist , Smt. Suchisree Ray, who captivated the audience with her beautiful alaap,unfurling the emotion of longing in Rāg Sri. Then she chose the beautiful evening Rāg - Shyam Kalyan - to convey the rasa of celebratory love. This was followed by a stunning devotional composition expressing the heaviness of the emotion of longing of the devotee’s tender heart, that is filled with the love for Sri Krishna.

Parvathy Ma felicitated Smt. Suchisree Ray with a beautiful ektara, passing blessings of Baul tradition to this exceptional exponent of music.

This eventful day came to a close with an intense japa session and question and answer session by Sri Rajarshi Nandy, where he presented priceless insights into the tattva of Sri Krishna as the teacher of Srimad Bhagvat Gita.

Day 3

Day three of Sri Krishna Utsav marked the conclusion of the first anga of Sri Krishna Dharana.

The morning session began with a riveting satsang session by Sri Rajarshi Nandy. Later in the evening he conducted homa for Sri Krishna after Sandhya arati.

An intense spiritual experience unfolded for many participants as each one made offerings to please Sri Krishna.

Day 4

In the first four days, we have had diverse points of view about Sri Krishna tattva.

Day four of Utsava commenced with Sri Ramchandra ji’s satsanga, where he presented some essential points that are often associated with the path of Sri Krishna upasana, such as the inherent vairagya bhava of Sri Krishna, who is attached to nothing. He is a true renunciate and yet he is bound to the love of Gopis and Gopas of Vraja. Sri Ramachandra ji went on to reflect upon Sri Krishna as Ananda Lilamaya Purusha, the embodiment of blissful play. Given the inherent vairagya tattva of Sri Krishna, despite such exemplary demonstration of non-attachment, it is only in Vrija that he allows himself to be tied down because of the purity of love. He allows himself to be chided and reprimanded. Sri Ramachandra ji reflected upon how the stealing of butter by Sri Krishna is a profound symbolism of stealing the minds of devotees or bhaktas who have turned their mind into butter through the churn of devotion.

Next in the program was a beautiful dance recital by Smt. Pallavi Krishnan, an eminent exponent of Mohiniyattam. This was a divine offering to Sri Krishna.

In the evening, Smt. Anupama Kylash, an exponent of Kuchipudi and Vilasini nātyam, offered a powerful dance recital that depicted Sri Krishna tattva and tattva of Sri Radharani as 'Krishnamayi' - the one soaked forever in bhāva of Sri Krishna bhakti. A creative exploration of ideas embedded in literature of Saint poet Jayadeva's Geet Govindam.

In the first four days, we have had diverse points of view about Sri Krishna tattva.

The dance recital then led to a wonderful conversation between Parvathy Maa and Anupama ji , where they delved into the necessity of Upasana and Sadhana for the performing artists of ancient Indian art forms. They explored the nuanced space that exists between the realm of art as a craft and realm of art as worship.

The day came to a close with Parvathy Maa felicitating both Anupama ji and Pallavi ji.

Day 5

This was the last day of Sri Krishna Utsav.

After contemplating on the multifacetedness of Sri Krishna, uninterruptedly for 4 days, day 5 gave clear evidence of what it means to experience Sri Krishna Mayam.

The morning session commenced with participants interacting with Smt. Vidushi Kaberi Kar, an eminent Dhrupad exponent, who enthusiastically shared insights into practise of the Nada Upasana, envisaged by the Dhrupad exponents. She then shared beautiful renditions celebrating Holi. After a musical morning session and Abhishekam, there was a spontaneous eruption of Holi celebration.

All the participants could offer Abhishekam to Sri Radha Rani and Sri Krishna. At Sanatan Siddhashram, the Holi colours were made from the flowers offered to the deities and Gurus throughout the year on various occasions. Participants then offered these sacred colours to the deities, who were adorned in the colour of golden hue. They went on to celebrate Holi filled with songs of devotion, accompanied with rhythms of elation.

Parvathy Maa's sishyas offered beautiful Baul songs one after the other , which culminated in a song sung as two parties - one praising Sri Radharani and another praising Sri Krishna.

After the evening Arati, a sublime Satsang session with Parvathy Maa unfolded, where she shared tattva of Kali Krishna with all the participants. She explored and provided insights into the sacred text of ‘Radha tantra’, which delves in detail about the aspect of Kali Krishna, as well as the several inner aspects of Brindavan Leela.

Maa expounded on the details of Rasa Leela, how tantric texts actually visualise it as a sacred mandala of mystical union. How Sri Krishna replicates His fullness, purnatvam and is present with every gopi in Rasa Leela. She went on to explain the significance of the various sacred places in Brindavan, and forest groves.

She also spoke on how the mahamantra propagated by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is equated with the topography of Brindavan.

The Satsang was filled with insights that can be pivotal for serious Sadhaka of Sri Krishna Upasana.

The Satsang was followed by an energetic, celebratory experience of Baul songs presented by Laxman Das Baul, Uttam Das Baul and Ananda Das Baul along with Parvathy Maa.

Thus, the deeply transformative and eventful Sri Krishna Utsav came to a close with a celebratory song on union of Sri Radha and Sri Krishna.

Sri Krishnarpanam Astu

Joy Guru

Guru kripa hi kevalam