Festivals & Ekādaśī Calendar
Celebrate the year with ISKCON Canberra. Every major festival, plus all Ekādaśī fasting days with break-fast times for Canberra.
The Year of Celebration
Festivals are in maroon, Ekādaśīs in blue. Break-fast times are Canberra time, from the GCAL Vaiṣṇava calendar.
January 2027
February 2027
March 2027
April 2027
May 2027
June 2027
July 2027
August 2027
September 2027
October 2027
November 2027
December 2027
Program times for each festival are announced closer to the date. Please call 0402 598 103 or check back here.
The Festivals We Celebrate
Each festival is a doorway into Krishna’s pastimes and the lives of great devotees. Everyone is welcome to join.
Gaura Pūrṇimā
The appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Navadvīpa in 1486. He inaugurated the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra, the heart of ISKCON’s mission.
Fast until moonriseNityānanda Trayodaśī
The appearance of Lord Nityānanda, Śrī Caitanya’s dearest associate, celebrated as the most merciful giver of the holy name.
Fast until noonRāma-navamī
The appearance of Lord Rāmacandra, the ideal king, whose life is told in the Rāmāyaṇa and who protects dharma with perfect righteousness.
Fast until sunsetNṛsiṁha-caturdaśī
Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, the half-man, half-lion form of Krishna, appeared to protect His young devotee Prahlāda. A day to pray for protection on the spiritual path.
Fast until duskJhulana-yātrā
The joyful swing festival, when Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Govinda are placed on a decorated swing and gently swung by devotees amid kīrtan.
Balarāma Pūrṇimā
The appearance of Lord Balarāma, Krishna’s elder brother and the source of spiritual strength, worshipped as the original spiritual master.
Fast until noonŚrī Kṛṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī
The appearance of Lord Krishna, the biggest festival of the year. A day of kīrtan, classes, bathing of the Deities and a midnight ārati celebrating His birth.
Fast until midnightŚrīla Prabhupāda’s Vyāsa-pūjā
The appearance day of ISKCON’s Founder Ācārya, celebrated the day after Janmāṣṭamī with heartfelt offerings of gratitude and a grand feast.
Fast until noonRādhāṣṭamī
The appearance of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Krishna’s eternal consort and the embodiment of pure devotion.
Fast until noonKārtika (Dāmodara Month)
A sacred month when devotees offer ghee lamps to Lord Dāmodara each evening and sing the Dāmodarāṣṭaka. Visitors are welcome to offer a lamp.
Govardhana-pūjā
Celebrating Krishna lifting Govardhana Hill to protect the residents of Vṛndāvana. Devotees build a hill of sweets and offer worship to the cows.
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Tirobhāva
The anniversary of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s departure in 1977, a day of remembrance, glorification and rededication to his teachings.
Fast until noonGītā-jayantī
The day Krishna spoke the Bhagavad-gītā to Arjuna at Kurukṣetra. Celebrated with recitation and sharing the Gītā’s wisdom.
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura
The appearance of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s spiritual master, a powerful preacher who emphasised printing books to spread Krishna consciousness.
Fast until noonA Day Dedicated to Krishna
Ekādaśī is the eleventh day after the full moon and after the new moon, so it comes twice a month. The scriptures recommend it as a day to reduce bodily demands and increase remembrance of Krishna.
On Ekādaśī, devotees avoid all grains and beans, and spend extra time chanting, reading and hearing about Krishna. Some fast completely, others take simple non-grain foods such as fruit, nuts, milk and vegetables.
If you have a health condition, are pregnant, or are fasting for the first time, please fast gently and speak with your doctor first.
Every Festival Is an Open Invitation
Join kīrtan, hear the pastimes, honour prasādam and celebrate with the community. You can also sponsor a festival offering.