Nandotsav is a festival celebrated the day after the festival Janmashtami, which celebrates the Lord Krishna's birth. It is believed that all the villagers of Braj(Vrindavan) visited Nand Maharaj's house to see little Krishna and congratulate Nanda Maharaj and Mata Yashoda.
Being overwhelmed with jubilation over the birth of his son, Nanda Maharaja did not see whether the cord was cut or not. Thus he performed the ceremony very gorgeously. According to the opinion of some authorities, Krishna was actually born as the son of Yasoda. In any case, without regard for material understandings, we can accept that Nanda Maharaja’s celebration for the ceremony of Krishna’s birth was proper. This ceremony is therefore well known everywhere as Nandotsava.
How did Nanda Maharaja celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna?
vrajah sammrishta-samsikta-
dvarajira-grihantarah
citra-dhvaja-pataka-srak-
caila-pallava-toranaih
Vrajapura, the residence of Nanda Maharaja, was fully decorated with varieties of festoons and flags, and in different places, gates were made with varieties of flower garlands, pieces of cloth, and mango leaves. The courtyards, the gates near the roads, and everything within the rooms of the houses were perfectly swept and washed with water.
gavo vrisha vatsatara
haridra-taila-rushitah
vicitra-dhatu-barhasrag-
vastra-kancana-malinah
The cows, the bulls and the calves were thoroughly smeared with a mixture of turmeric and oil, mixed with varieties of minerals. Their heads were bedecked with peacock feathers, and they were garlanded and covered with cloth and golden ornaments.
maharha-vastrabharana-
kancukoshnisha-bhushitah
gopah samayayu rajan
nanopayana-panayah
The cowherd men dressed very opulently with valuable ornaments and garments such as coats and turbans. Decorated in this way and carrying various presentations in their hands, they approached the house of Nanda Maharaja.
gopyas cakarnya mudita
yasodayah sutodbhavam
atmanam bhushayam cakrur
vastrakalpanjanadibhih
The gopi wives of the cowherd men were very pleased to hear that mother Yasoda had given birth to a son, and they began to decorate themselves very nicely with proper dresses, ornaments, black ointment for the eyes, and so on.
nava-kunkuma-kinjalka-
mukha-pankaja-bhutayah
balibhis tvaritam jagmuh
prithu-sronyas calat-kucah
Their lotuslike faces extraordinarily beautiful, being decorated with saffron and newly grown kunkuma, the wives of the cowherd men hurried to the house of mother Yasoda with presentations in their hands. Because of natural beauty, the wives had full hips and full breasts, which moved as they hurried along.
In the ears of the gopis were brilliantly polished jeweled earrings, and from their necks hung metal lockets. Their hands were decorated with bangles, their dresses were of varied colors, and from their hair, flowers fell onto the street like showers. Thus while going to the house of Maharaja Nanda, the gopis, their earrings, breasts and garlands moving, were brilliantly beautiful.
ta asishah prayunjanas
ciram pahiti balake
haridra-curna-tailadbhih
sincantyo ’janam ujjaguh
Offering blessings to the newborn child, Krishna, the wives and daughters of the cowherd men said, “May You become the King of Vraja and long maintain all its inhabitants.” They sprinkled a mixture of turmeric powder, oil and water upon the birthless Supreme Lord and offered their prayers.
Now that the all-pervading, unlimited Lord Krishna, the master of the cosmic manifestation, had arrived within the estate of Maharaja Nanda, various types of musical instruments resounded to celebrate the great festival.
In gladness, the cowherd men enjoyed the great festival by splashing one another’s bodies with a mixture of curd, condensed milk, butter and water. They threw butter on one another and smeared it on one another’s bodies.
nando maha-manas tebhyo
vaso ’lankara-go-dhanam
suta-magadha-vandibhyo
ye ’nye vidyopajivinah
tais taih kamair adinatma
yathocitam apujayat
vishnor aradhanarthaya
sva-putrasyodayaya ca
The great-minded Maharaja Nanda gave clothing, ornaments and cows in charity to the cowherd men in order to please Lord Vishnu, and thus he improved the condition of his own son in all respects. He distributed charity to the sutas, the magadhas, the vandis, and men of all other professions, according to their educational qualifications, and satisfied everyone’s desires.
dhenunam niyute pradad
viprebhyah samalankrite
tiladrin sapta ratnaugha-
satakaumbhambaravritan
Nanda Maharaja gave two million cows, completely decorated with cloth and jewels, in charity to the brahmanas. He also gave them seven hills of grain, covered with jewels and with cloth decorated with golden embroidery.
Key aspects of Nandotsava, the birth ceremony of Lord Sri Krishna, include
- Celebration of Krishna's Childhood: Nandotsav is a celebration of Lord Krishna's early years in Gokul and Vrindavan. It is believed to mark the day when Nanda Maharaj, Krishna's foster father, officially declared Lord Krishna as his son.
- Swings and Cradles: Images or idols of baby Krishna are placed in beautifully decorated swings and cradles, symbolizing his birth and childhood. Devotees gently swing the cradles as part of the celebration.
- Devotional Singing and Dancing: The festival is marked by devotional singing and dancing, particularly the singing of bhajans (devotional songs) and kirtans (devotional chants) in praise of Lord Krishna. These melodious tunes fill the air as devotees express their love and devotion.
- Lectures and Readings: Lectures and readings from Srila Prabhupada's books and teachings are an integral part of the celebration. His writings, including "Bhagavad Gita As It Is" and "Srimad Bhagavatam," are considered foundational texts within ISKCON.
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For the scheduled event date please check the Vaishnava calendar.