What is Sri Krsna Pusya Abhiseka?
Sri Krsna Pusya Abhiseka is the festival of bathing and adorning Lord Krishna. An abhiseka is the ceremonial bath of the Deity. At the morning worship the Deity, or Lord Vishnu in His form as a salagrama-sila, is bathed in pure ghee. In 2027 it falls on Friday, 22 January.
Significance
Srila Prabhupada explained this festival through the pastimes of Vraja: Krishna was just like a toy in the hands of the gopis, and one day they decided to decorate Him. In the same spirit of loving service the Deity is dressed and decked with flowers, and then all the citizens may see how beautiful Krishna appears.
How to observe it
The ghee bath and the decoration are followed by a lavish feast and a procession through the streets. Devotees can take part by offering fresh flowers to the Deity, joining the kirtan, honouring the feast prasadam and watching the procession pass. At home, offer flowers and sweets to a picture or Deity of Krishna with the same care.
Questions
When is Pusya Abhiseka in 2027?
Sri Krsna Pusya Abhiseka falls on Friday, 22 January 2027 in the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra.
What does Pusya Abhiseka mean?
Srila Prabhupada described it as a ceremony to decorate the Deity profusely with flowers, ornaments and cloths. The Deity is first bathed in pure ghee and then dressed, and a feast and street procession follow.
What is an abhiseka?
An abhiseka is the ceremonial bathing of a Deity. On Pusya Abhiseka the Deity of Krishna, or a salagrama, is bathed in pure ghee at the morning worship.
Why is Krishna decorated on Pusya Abhiseka?
Srila Prabhupada explained that the gopis once treated Krishna like a toy in their hands and decided to decorate Him. The festival carries on that mood and lets everyone see how beautiful Krishna appears.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Friday, 22 January 2027
- Deity bathed in
- Pure ghee
- Deity decorated with
- Flowers, ornaments and cloths
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.