VRINDAVAN, INDIA, August 27, 2007: The month-long festival honoring Lord Krishna and Radha commenced during the month of Shravan in the City of Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. On September 4th, Lord Krishna’s birthday, festivities will reach new heights of devotion with many temples featuring decorated swings. The news release elaborates, “Visitors from different parts of the country and foreign tourists are also flocking to the city located 15 kilometers from Mathura. Small Deities of Krishna and Radha have been placed on swings heavily decorated with flowers and expensive jewelry. Devotees offer prayers and pull swings to display their affection Lord Krishna. Chants of Jai Radhe Jai Krishna’ (Hail Radha, Hail Krishna) invoking devotion for the deity reverberate in all temples here.”
Ritesh, a devotee, says, “The swing gives the essence of different aspects of the Krishna’s life. I see the swing every year but every year, I get a different feeling, it’s really divine.”
Jaish Khandelwal, a priest, adds, “We are trying to take out the tradition that has remained restricted within temples, to the people outside, by making them aware of our customs. We will take cue from old timers who have witnessed the festival celebrated in its original fervour. We want the new generation to be aware of it.”