Krishna and Radha Ritual Cycle

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Krishna is dark, the color of endless space. He is the supreme divinity, the maintainer of the Universe through endless cycles of creation and destruction. He is the embodiment of love, creator of all knowledge, conqueror of all suffering. Long ago Krishna lived among men and in the events of this life revealed aspects of his divinity to his followers. These events are called 'lilas'-times characterized by his divine play in a world of human beings. There is great variety to the ways in which Krishna is worshiped, including large public festivals and intimate family rituals. Whatever form its expression takes, devotion to Krishna is a vital element in the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

Vishnupur is above all the city of Krishna . Almost five centuries ago the Malla kings of the town were swept up in an ecstatic devotional movement begun by the great religious teacher , Chaitanya. Vishnupur is still a center of worship where daily life and ritual practice are intertwined.

Krishna re-enters the world in times of turmoil, most recently in the guise of Chaitanya who taught men the ways of worsh proper to dark times. Chaitanya's disciples brought Krishna 's message to Vishnupur where its kings built temples in his honor. They were decorated with terracotta reliefs telling the story of Krishna 's life. In them he frequently appears as the divine lover body and arms bent holding a flute and playing the music that invites mankind to participate in his 'lilas'.

Krishna's 'lilas', his divine playing as child, lover, friend and king, recall episodes belonging to the entire span of his life, from infancy to Supreme Lordship. They are celebrated in festivals and processions year after year. Among the most popular are the ones concerned with his birth and his chariot journeys.

Bisnu(Vishnu) and Laksmi Ritual Cycle

The major events in the year define Bisnu's activity : light and d rk, winter and spring. There are four months in the year when Bisnu goes to sleep, and these are months of darkness. After the Chariot Journey (Ratha jatra) of Krsna in the month of Sraban, Bisnu rests, and rises from his sleep four months later. The coming of light is celebrated in the Bisnu uthan puja, when the salagram image of the deity is placed on sugar cane stalks, served with food, singing; and recitation. Krsna, an incarnation of Bisnu, completes a full cycle in the year : from the celebration of his birth (Jaamastmi) and that of Radha his consort (Radhaastami) to the various jatras (journeys) symbolizing his lila, the divine play as a child, lover, and king : Jhulan Jatra, the swinging festival; Ratha jatra, the royal festival; Ras lila, his cosmic play; Holi, the amorous play with the milkmaids. ama (another incarnation) is worshipped on his birthday

Ram navami and on the defeat of Ravan (after Durga puja). Bisnu participates in another cycle of rites as the consort of Laksmi (Lakkhi). Lakkhi marks the year in many ways; in a seasonal cycle her pujas are performed in the Pous festival, in the new rice celebration when she is worshipped in the courtyard and brought into the house with the new rice to bring and hold wealth for the people. Four other major occasions in the year are devoted to Lakkhi, and every Thursday (or Lakkhi-bar) is auspicious for performance of her pujas. Some of these are celebrations of the consort pair Bisnu and Lakkhi, or Lakkhi-Narayan (one representation of Bisnu being the salagram-stone, and that of Lakkhi a cupful of uncooked rice).

Caitanya, the sixteenth century incarnation of Krsna, has â separate complex within the Bisnu cycle. Pujas of Mahaprabhu (the Great Teacher) including Caitanya and his disciple Nityanada are performed throughout the year but especially in the rainy season with daily recitation of Boisnab texts, and kirton singing in praise of saints and avatars. These festivals last from one to nine days and are performed in different parts of the town, often at the same time.