Festivals & Celebrations

Festivals of Shri Varshney Mandir: Symbols of Harmony, Love and Unity

Festivals hold a special place in India’s enduring traditions. Celebrated collectively, they strengthen social and religious bonds, national unity and harmony. The Shri Varshney Mandir organises social, religious and spiritual programmes for public welfare and positive reflection. Its annual celebrations begin with Chaitra Shukla Pratipada and continue throughout the year; major occasions include the temple Patotsav, Shri Krishna Janmashtami, Nandotsav, Diwali, Annakut and Holi.

The temple marks the traditional New Year with special programmes, rangoli and festive decoration. Visitors gather to exchange greetings, reflecting India’s unity in diversity. A nine-day yajna begins at this time and continues until Ram Navami, when devotees offer oblations and pray for everyone’s well-being. Discourses highlight the ideals of Shri Ram and prayers are offered for public welfare. Ram Navami also begins the temple Patotsav celebrations, which continue for about a week.

On Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi, special rituals include ceremonial bathing of Shri Varshney Bhagwan, Shri Lakshmi-Narayan and Shri Ram Darbar with milk, curd, honey and perfume, along with Vishnu Mahayajna, flower-bungalow darshan, festive adornment and a Chhappan Bhog offering.

With the arrival of the monsoon, the landscape becomes cool and green after the summer heat. The season brings a sense of renewal and calm.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami, celebrated on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami after the month of Shravan, is one of Aligarh’s most prominent festivals and attracts many visitors.

The temple is decorated with garlands and illuminated festoons. Elaborate moving tableaux attract visitors and create a festive devotional atmosphere.

On the third day after Janmashtami, residents gather at the temple to congratulate Nand Baba. The occasion is celebrated as Nandotsav.

Nand Baba and Yashoda, accompanied by the Upanandas and dressed in traditional attire, bring child Krishna to the temple. Devotees greet them with joyful chants and congratulations.

Diwali, observed on the new-moon day of Kartik, is an important annual celebration at the temple.

Diwali has long been associated with prosperity and abundance. After the monsoon, people clean and decorate their homes and places of business and celebrate the festival with lights and worship.

The following day, Govardhan Puja is celebrated with Annakut. A traditional kadhi-rice offering associated with the cowherds and gopis of Braj is presented to Shri Varshney Bhagwan.

In the evening, a savoury vegetable preparation made with more than a hundred kinds of fruit, vegetables and nuts is offered and distributed with puris as prasad to thousands of devotees.

With spring’s arrival, nature blooms: yellow mustard and tesu flowers brighten the landscape, mango trees blossom and cuckoos sing.

In addition to these major festivals, many other religious occasions and community gatherings take place in the temple throughout the year, including Hanuman Jayanti and other devotional celebrations.

-- raajaaraam mitr, acl maarg, hrigddh'