Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in his Golden Avatar

On 28th February 2010 is Gaura Purnima. Gaura Purnima is the holy day of appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is also called as ‘Gauranga’ or ‘Gaura’. It is celebrated by Gaudiya Vaishnavas every year on the full moon day of the month of Phalgun (February-March).

Who is Lord Chaitanya: is believed by Gaudiya Vaishnavas that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Krishna Himself in the mood of Srimati Radharani. He is known to be the most magnanimous form of God who gives the love of God through very easy process of chanting the Holy Names of the Lord. It was Lord Chaitanya who inaugurated the chanting of ‘Hare Krishna Maha Mantra’ as the process of deliverance for the age of Kali. Sankirtana movement was started by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu which is gradually spreading throughout the world.

Appearance and Childhood: Lord Chaitanya appeared as son of Jagannatha Mishra and Sachidevi who were descendants of brahmanas originally residing in Sylhet. It was the evening of 18th February 1486, when the moon was about to rise and there was a lunar eclipse, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared. At that time people were engaged in purificatory methods of the eclipse shouting louding “Haribol!!!” and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took birth amidst the Holy Names. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a beautiful child with golden complexion. He was born under a nimba tree or Neem tree, thus was called as ‘Nimai’ by His mother and other ladies in the neighborhood. He was also called as ‘Gaura’ for His golden yellow complexion. Beautiful and attractive as He was, everyone loved to play with Him and came to see Him everyday. He had several pastimes in His childhood. Lord Chaitanya In his youth, Sri Chaitanya was erudite scholar and was unchallenged expert in Sanskrit. He soon became devotee of Lord Krishna after His father departure. He was associating with great devotees of that time and eventually became the eminent leader of Vaishnavas group. He was always seen with Lord Nityananda. The life of Lord Chaitanya is a vast literature and His pastimes are unlimited. In this article it is not possible to describe all the glories of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Read more: Gaura Purnima 2010

Computer generated visual of proposed bridge over Yamuna river in Vrindavan

On Saturday, January 30, New Vrindaban Community will join with over 180 communities world-wide in a day of prayer and chanting. This is an international effort aimed at protecting the sacred Yamuna River in Vrindaban, India. There is currently a 30-day stay order on the construction of a bridge that would destroy the sanctity of the river.

The Yamuna River is the most sacred river in India. The Yamuna runs through Vrindaban, the birthplace of Lord Krishna in northern India. Lord Krishna swam and played in the Yamuna River and on her banks as a child. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the spot of the stayed bridge construction.

Read more: World Prayer Day for the Yamuna River