A year shaped
by remembrance.

The birth narratives describe Krishna appearing to Devaki and Vasudeva, then being carried across the Yamuna to the safety of Gokula.

• Hear or read Krishna’s birth story
• Join kirtan and temple darshan
• Prepare and offer vegetarian foods
• Follow fasting guidance appropriate to your health

Krishna asked the residents of Vraja to honor the hill, cows and their sustaining work. When a storm followed, he lifted Govardhan for seven days.

• Create an annakut or ‘mountain’ of food
• Offer gratitude for land, cows and community
• Hear the Govardhan-lila
• Walk a local or symbolic parikrama

The day invites reflection on selfless bhakti and on Radha’s central place in the devotional culture of Braj.

• Sing songs glorifying Radha and Krishna
• Attend abhisheka or special darshan
• Read about bhakti in the Braj tradition
• Serve others with humility and care

The beloved Damodara story recalls mother Yashoda binding the mischievous child Krishna with a rope—not through force, but through loving devotion.

• Offer a lamp each day
• Sing the Damodarastakam
• Choose a sustainable devotional vow
• Visit a temple or sacred place

The festival brings together the protection of Prahlada, the Holika Dahan bonfire and devotional traditions of color play in Vrindavan, Barsana and Nandgaon.

• Ask before applying color
• Join kirtan and devotional storytelling
• Use clearly labeled, safer colors
• Protect children, animals and waterways

The Puri journey to Gundicha is understood in Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition as the devotees drawing Krishna toward the intimate love of Vrindavan.

• Join kirtan from a safe viewing area
• Pull only where organizers invite it
• Follow crowd and chariot stewards
• Honor prasadam and help care for the route

On the field of Kurukshetra, Arjuna’s moral crisis becomes a universal conversation about the self, responsible action and loving surrender to Krishna.

• Read or hear from the Bhagavad Gita
• Reflect on one verse and its application
• Join a temple recitation or study group
• Share a Gita through an accountable program

Balarama shares Krishna’s childhood in Vraja, protects and serves him in a brotherly mood, and is associated with the plough, cultivation, steadiness and service.

• Hear Krishna–Balarama stories
• Join kirtan and special darshan
• Pray for strength to serve well
• Follow local fasting guidance appropriate to your health

Rooted in the monsoon festival culture of Braj, the celebration remembers Radha and Krishna’s loving pastimes while inviting devotees into attentive, joyful service.

• Attend evening darshan or kirtan
• Offer flowers through the temple’s program
• Swing only when invited by organizers
• Create a safe symbolic observance at home