Last chance to catch Janmashtami Festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor (From Watford Observer)

Last chance to catch Janmashtami Festival at Bhaktivedanta Manor

9:00am Sunday 12th August 2012 in News By Amie Mulderrig, Features Writer

Today is the last day visitors will be able to celebrate the birth of Krishna at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Aldenham.

People from all cultures and backgrounds gathered on Friday for initial celebrations to mark the birth of Krishna with the Janmashtami Festival.
 

Today, will be the last opportunity visitors will have to join in the festivities.
 

The festival, which is the largest Hindu gathering outside India, will provide a colourful taste of the mystic country with live stage shows, vibrant costumes, enchanting music, meditation and exotic food set in a picturesque setting with a lake and an ancient woodland.
 

The event will feature thousands of children with their faces painted blue, many carrying flutes and wearing peacock feathers in their hair, dressing like Krishna as part of the festive spirit.
 

Another highlight will include a flowered walkway through the spiritual gardens.
 

Visitors will journey through the life and pastimes of Krishna, climaxing with a glimpse of the spectacular deity decorated with thousands of flowers.
 

The entire festival is managed and run by 1500 volunteers from the community who gather every evening after work for a month prior to the event and put in countless hours of work for the occasion.

The temple kitchens will be working 24 hours a day to prepare free vegetarian meals for everyone who comes the festival.