Kolkata: Shree Shyam Mandir, Alambazar (http://www.shreeshyammandiralambazar.org/), celebrated Shri Krishna Janmashtami on Friday, with devotion, enthusiasm and the participation of a large number of devotees. The celebrations commenced at 5 pm, with the beautifully decorated temple premises creating a spiritually vibrant atmosphere. Adorned with flowers and colourful lights, the temple resonated with devotional chants and slogans in praise of Lord Krishna and Baba Shyam.
Known among devotees as “Kolkata’s Khatu Dham”, Shree Shyam Mandir is counted among the prominent Khatu Shyam temples in Eastern India.
The evening featured a special Bhajan Sandhya, where renowned bhajan singers Nishant Rajliwal, Rahul Rajliwal, Anurag Dadhich and Arpit Srivastava presented devotional compositions dedicated to Lord Krishna and Baba Shyam. Their soulful renditions saw devotees singing along and swaying to the devotional music, while the temple premises echoed with bhajans, chants and applause.
A special dance drama presented by Bittu Singh Rajput added another dimension to the celebrations. The presentation brought alive different episodes from Lord Krishna’s life, including his birth, childhood leelas, butter-stealing episodes and Raas Leela. The performance was appreciated by the devotees and kept the audience engaged throughout.
The highlight of the celebrations was the midnight Janmotsav. At 12 midnight on September 5, the birth of Lord Krishna was ceremonially celebrated amidst devotional chants and greetings from devotees. This was followed by a grand Maha Aarti, with a large number of devotees participating and offering prayers to Lord Krishna and Baba Shyam.
Following the Maha Aarti, Mahaprasad was distributed among the devotees. Devotees continued to visit the temple late into the night, marking the conclusion of the Janmashtami celebrations in an atmosphere of devotion and spirituality.
Temple Trustee and Secretary Govind Murari Agarwal said that the successful organisation of the celebration was made possible through the dedicated participation of temple workers, volunteers and supporters.
