Golden Jubilee Celebrations

Festivities commenced with a deep sense of gratitude at the historic residence of Sri P.L. Sethi in Chandigarh. In October 1976, this house had served as Srila Prabhupāda’s residence and the very first temporary ISKCON center in Chandigarh. Devotees gathered to worship Prabhupāda in the same rooms he sanctified, followed by the auspicious Janmashtami and Reel competition awards. Concurrently, HG Srutakirti Prabhu, personal servant to Srila Prabhupāda, led an intimate 5-part Shravan Utsav sharing nectar remembrances.

• 🪷 17 Oct 2026: Srila Prabhupāda Worship Ceremony at Sethi House (261 Photos)
• 🏆 18 Oct 2026: Janmashtami & Youth Reel Competition Ceremony (259 Photos)
• 🎙️ Shravan Utsav: 5-Part Srila Prabhupāda Katha Series by HG Srutakirti Prabhu

The festival formally opened on Friday morning with the grand Vāstu Yagya & Homa, sanctifying every brick, pillar, and chamber of the newly constructed Sri Sri Sita Ram Mandir. Throughout the day, the temple welcomed renowned Sannyasis, Prabhupāda disciples, and senior leaders from across the globe with flower garlands, conch blasts, and ecstatic harinam. In the evening, the Srila Prabhupāda Archival Exhibition was inaugurated.

• 🔥 Vāstu Yagya & Homa: Complete sanctification rituals for Sri Sri Sita Ram Mandir
• 🌺 Guest Arrivals: Srila Prabhupada Disciples, ISKCON Gurus, honored sannyasis and senior devotees
• 🖼️ Prabhupāda Exhibition: Rare 1976 photographs, letters, and memorabilia showcase (102 Photos)

Day 2 began with sublime morning Bhāgavatam realizations and sumptuous prasadam. The morning proceeded into the intricate Ācārya Anuyagya, where qualified priests chanted Vedic mantras, invoking the presence of the Paramparā and Sri Sri Sita Ram Laxman Hanuman. As dusk gathered, thousands assembled in the main festival pandal for blissful Srila Prabhupāda glorification and philosophical discourses.

• 📖 Morning Program: Srimad Bhagavatam Discourse & Mahaprasadam Feast
• 🔥 Ācārya Anuyagya Live: Sacred consecration yagya broadcasted worldwide
• 🪔 Evening Pandal Lectures: Prabhupāda's contribution to modern society (186 Photos)

At sunrise, over a thousand devotees re-traced Srila Prabhupāda’s famous 1976 morning walks along the promenade of Sukhna Lake, accompanied by melodious japa, memories, and morning breezes. Back at the temple, sacred installation rituals deepened with the Shānti Yagya, Shilpi Dosha Snan, Netra Unmīlan (opening the eyes of the Deities), and Shayan Adhivās. The evening sparkled with the official launch of the Golden Jubilee Book, Silver Commemorative Coins, and a high-energy Kirtan Mela.

• 🌅 Sukhna Lake Walk: Re-enacting Prabhupāda’s 1976 footsteps with senior disciples (122 Photos)
• 👁️ Netra Unmīlan & Shayan Adhivās: Intimate rituals preparing the Lord for coronation
• 🪙 Book & Coin Launches: Unveiling the 50-Year Commemorative Book & Commemorative Medallion
• 🎶 Kirtan Mela: Ecstatic chanting that echoed throughout Chandigarh

The pinnacle moment arrived on Monday morning. Following Jagaran Seva and Nyasa Homa, the supreme Mahā Abhiṣeka and Prāṇa Pratiṣṭhā of Sri Sri Sita Ram Laxman Hanuman took place. Hundreds of litres of sacred waters, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, fruit juices, and rare herbal extracts bathed the Deities as 10,000 devotees chanted in unison. At 12:30 PM, the curtains parted for the breathtaking First Shringār Darshan. The evening concluded with Samvatsar Abhishekam, Kartik Deepdaan, Prem Katha, devotee honors, and heart-melting Dāmodar Aṣṭakam led by HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj.

• 👑 Mahā Abhiṣeka & Prāṇa Pratiṣṭhā: 596 photo album & full YouTube live stream
• ✨ First Shringār Darshan: Divine outfits and ornaments revealed (270 Photos)
• 🪔 Kartik Deepdaan: Thousands offering clay ghee lamps in the holy month of Damodara
• 🙏 Dāmodar Aṣṭakam Gaura Aarti: Chanted by HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj