Vaishnava festival
Vyāsa-pūjā: the appearance of Śrīla Prabhupāda
The day devotees thank Prabhupāda for bringing Krishna consciousness to the West.
What is celebrated
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda was born in Calcutta on 1 September 1896, the day after Janmāṣṭamī. The celebration of a spiritual master’s birth is called Vyāsa-pūjā, because the master represents Vyāsa, who set down the scriptures in writing.
Prabhupāda reached the United States in 1965, aged 69, and in the following twelve years founded ISKCON, translated and commented on dozens of volumes and opened more than a hundred temples. Every devotee of Krishna in the West is one, directly or indirectly, thanks to him.
How it is celebrated
- Devotees fast until noon.
- Devotees read aloud offerings of gratitude written for him.
- Flowers are offered before his picture, ārati is held and a feast is served.
In 2026 it falls on 5 September 2026, according to the calendar calculated for London. In 2027 it will be on 26 August 2027. Vaishnava dates follow the moon and change every year: check them in the calendar. Each temple organises its own programme; ask at your nearest one.