News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (September 12, 2026 - September 18, 2026) September 18, 2026 7 Forty-five sponsoring families simultane- ously offer arati to Sri Sri Kishore Kishori during a celebration of devotion, unity and service T he International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Chicago celebrated the auspicious festival of Sri Krishna Janmashtami with a day of worship, kirtan, cultural programs, devotional service and spiritual fellowship, culminating in a Midnight Maha Arati featuring 45 sponsoring families. Thousands of visitors came for darshan and prayers. Devotees, families and visitors from throughout the Chicagoland area gath- ered at the temple in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood to celebrate Jan- mashtami, one of the most sacred and joy- ous festivals in the Vaishnava tradition. At ISKCON Chicago, home of the pre- siding deities Sri Sri Kishore Kishori, the temple came alive with prayers, flowers, lamps, food offerings and acts of selfless service. The festivities began early with Mangala Arati and continued until after midnight. Continuous Hare Krishna kirtan filled the temple with joyful chanting, music and dancing, while families and visitors enjoyed cultural presentations, children’s activities and devotional perfor- mances. The temple resounded throughout the celebration with the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra:Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna,Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare,Hare Rama, Hare Rama,Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The Deity Department was led by Pre- marasa Devi Dasi and Lila Manjari Devi Dasi, together with their dedicated team which worked on the special Janmashtami outfits, altar decorations, flower arrange- ments, worship services and organization of the Abhishek ceremonies. One of the most cherished traditions of the evening was the Abhishek, the cer- emonial bathing of the Lord with sacred ingredients. The Deity Department and Abhishek teams coordinated the pro- gram, allowing participating families to make their offerings. The large-scale Midnight Maha Arati was offered directly from the temple floor by 45 sponsoring families. As midnight approached, the temple filled with en- thusiastic chanting and anticipation. At the sacred hour considered by devotees to mark Lord Krishna’s appearance, the curtains opened to reveal an elaborately adorned Sri Sri Kishore Kishori, and the principal Maha Arati began on the altar. Simultaneously, the 45 sponsoring families offered glowing arati lamps from individually designated positions on the temple floor. Dozens of glowing lamps moved before the Deities as the temple resounded with the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, ringing bells, devotional music and jubilant chanting. Gajendra Moksa Das and his team was responsible for planning and coordinat- ing the Midnight Maha Arati. Another important feature of the fes- tival was the distribution of prasadam— sanctified vegetarian food prepared and first offered to Lord Krishna. Volunteers worked behind the scenes to prepare, transport and serve prasadam to the large number of guests. Devotees served in Deity worship, altar preparation, decorations, flower arrange- ments, Abhishek coordination, prasadam preparation and distribution, guest recep- tion, registration, crowd management, cultural programming, cleaning and many other essential services. ISKCON Chicago has served the Chica- goland community for more than five de- cades, under the umbrella of the Interna- tional Society for Krishna Consciousness which was founded in NewYork in 1966. Chicago’s First Hindu Temple, ISKCON Chicago, Celebrates Sri Krishna Janmashtami with Historic Midnight Maha Arati By Bhailal M. Patel PHOTO COLLAGE:COURTESY ASIAN MEDIA USA ISKCON Chicago celebrates Janmastami. Attorney Pooja Sethi Running For Texas House From 47th District P ooja Sethi, an attorney with significant experience in Austin, and a host of endorsements, is running for the Texas State House of Representatives from District 47. Her website lists at least 30 organizations backing the Democratic agenda she details on poojafortexas.com . Among them are two newspapers, Austin American- Statesman and The Austin Chronicle, as well as national organizations like Annie’s List, and several state-chapters of labor, teachers, etc. Sethi is Chief of Staff to Texas State Rep. Vikki Good- win, and has 4 years of experience working directly in the Texas Legislature. She also chairs the Travis County Democratic Party. Prior to working in the state legislature, Sethi worked as an immigration attorney with Catholic Charities. 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