Janmastami 2025
saturday, august 16th
Darshan All Day / Festival 6pm-Midnight
The festival is free and all are welcome.
what's happening at the festival?
★ along the darshan line
Experience a series of engaging activities as you prepare for darshan: swing the Jhulan, visit the info table to learn more about our temple, do the children’s scavenger hunt, enjoy mini performances every 15 minutes, put on tilak & gopi dots, browse spiritual books, practice mantra meditation, and more—leading up to your darshan of Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohan.
★ After Darshan
Honor maha prasadam, collect your shoes, and continue outside to explore the rest of the festival!
★ Children’s Area
Near the playground, kids can enjoy a special children's abhisheka, coloring activities, and a cozy book corner.
★ Govinda’s Food Court
Savor delicious vegetarian favorites for sale—dosa, veggie burgers, pizza, Philly sandwich, chole bhature, panipuri, snacks, dahi papri, sweets, and fresh juice.
★ Gift Shop
Browse clothing, puja supplies, art, children’s items, jewelry, incense, and more.
★ spiritual care & inspiration
Browse our Book Area for spiritual classics, children’s tales, and inspiring books on meditation and philosophy. Meet the Karuna Care team for compassionate, faith-based emotional support. Experience Mantra Meditation with hands-on guidance in chanting japa—an uplifting practice to connect with Kṛṣṇa.
★ free feast
Enjoy the free prasadam feast with your family!
park with ease
On Site - If you would like an onsite pass for Janmastami you are invited to be a sponsor of the festival. Connect with Caitanya Nitai/ Laxman Bhandari for details - 240 476 6540.
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Free Festival Parking: On-site parking will be first come, first served. Once on-site parking is full, guests will be invited to park at free off-site lots. These free satellite parking lots are located throughout our neighborhood. Shuttles will bring you to and from the temple anytime between 6pm and 12.30am.
Off-site lot locations:
Potomac Presbyterian Church: 10301 River Rd, Potomac
Saints Peters & Paul Church, 10620 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
FINAL SHUTTLE LEAVES THE TEMPLE PROPERTY AT 12:30AM
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When leaving the festival, we strongly encourage drivers only to take the shuttle bus back to the lot and then return to pick up the rest of your party. This allows us to maximize the use of the shuttle buses and speeds the exit process for everyone.
ABOUT
Janmastami
The Birth of Lord Krishna
Janmastami is one of the biggest spiritual celebrations of the year at ISKCON of DC. Krishna is a Sanksrit name for God which means ‘the all-attractive One’. The birthplace of Krishna on earth, Vrindavan in India, is home to over 5,000 Temples dedicated to Krishna and the practice of Bhakti Yoga – the path of loving devotional service to God.
At ISKCON of DC, we have a celebration that is not to be missed! It is an event filled with music, dance, food and fun activities for the whole family Janmastami is a day to celebrate Krishna’s presence in our lives, to be grateful for our relationship with Him, and to join in the festival to love and honor Him.