The Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir (VCM) celebrated the festival of Sri Gaura Purnima on Friday, 18th March. Sri Gaura Purnima is celebrated to commemorate the appearance of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is an incarnation of Lord Krishna, who appeared more than 500 years ago to inaugurate the sankirtan movement (congregational chanting of the Lord's holy names).

These celebrations of the divine festival, which also coincides with Holi, began with a Pallaki Utsav (palanquin procession) for Sri Nitai Gauranga. The deities were carried on a special palanquin to the colourfully decorated site of the upcoming Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir.

Their Lordships were given an abhishek (ceremonial bath) with auspicious substances such as panchagavya, honey, herbal water, fruit juices and flower petals. The abhishek ceremony was accompanied by Vedic chants and melodious kirtans for the pleasure of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, President, Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir, gave a short talk about the contributions of Lord Chaitanya and the importance of chanting the Lord's holy names.

Their Lordships, adorned in a special shringaar (decoration), were offered a maha-aratik. All the devotees present got an opportunity to participate in a 'Phoolon ki Holi' festival. The festivities ended with a sumptuous dinner feast.