The appearance day of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is Lord Kṛṣṇa & Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī as one, is celebrated as Śrī Gaura Pūrṇimā. But unlike Kṛṣṇa, who is of the complexion of a fresh blue rain cloud, Caitanya Mahāprabhu has a hue of molten gold.
Caitanya Mahāprabhu was born in Māyāpura, in the town of Nadia, just after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Phālguna, 1407 Śakābda, answering to the 18th of February, 1486, of the Christian Era. The moon was eclipsed at the time of His birth, and the people of Nadia were then engaged, as was usual on such occasions, in bathing in the Bhāgīrathī river with loud cheers of “Haribol!” His father, Jagannātha Miśra, a poor brāhmaṇa of the Vedic order, and His mother, Śacī-devī, an exemplary good woman, both descended from brāhmaṇa stock originally residing in Sylhet.
The Vedas and Purāṇas foretell the appearance of Lord Caitanya, but still He is sometimes called, and significantly too, the concealed descent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam-
sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair
yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ
In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.”
– Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.5.32
channaḥ kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo ’tha sa tvam
“In the age of Kali, however, You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore You are known as Triyuga, or the Lord who appears in three yugas.”
– – Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.38
Although He conducted Himself amongst the society of human beings as a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, great saintly persons recognized Him as the self-same Supreme Personality of Godhead Śrī Kṛṣṇa. But unlike Kṛṣṇa, who is of the complexion of a fresh blue rain cloud, Caitanya Mahāprabhu has a hue of molten gold. Lord Caitanya came to earth simply to preach kṛṣṇa-bhakti, love of Kṛṣṇa. In other words, He is Lord Kṛṣṇa & Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī as one, teaching the living entities the proper way to approach Kṛṣṇa.
FASTING TILL MOONRISE
Devotees are advised to fast from grains and water till Moonrise on this most auspicious day of Śrī Gaura Pūrṇimā.
Devotees break their fast after Moonrise with Ekadasi Prasadam (without grains) .
Festival Donation Opportunities
Be a sponsor of the grand Mahā-Abhiśeka of Gaura-Nitāi, who will bathe in milk, ghee, yogurt, and sanctified waters/juices.
Program Schedule
Gaura Purnima Drama by Vaikunta players
Volunteering Opportunities
Experience the Joy of Kṛṣṇa’s Service
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Hare Kṛṣṇa
