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Gaudiya Vaishnava festivals, Ekadashis, and Acharya appearance/disappearance days
Gaurabda 540
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966, follows the Gaudiya Vaishnava calendar system. This calendar is rooted in the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1534 CE), who is revered as the combined incarnation of Radha and Krishna. The calendar uses the Gaurabda era, counting years from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's appearance in 1486 CE.
ISKCON follows stricter Ekadashi rules than Smarta tradition. If the Ekadashi tithi is present for less than 50% of the period between sunrise on Ekadashi day and sunrise on Dvadashi day, the fast is postponed to Dvadashi — called "Maha Dvadashi." This ensures devotees fast on a day when the Ekadashi tithi is astronomically dominant. Additionally, ISKCON devotees avoid all grains and beans on Ekadashi (not just rice), including wheat, corn, mustard, and sesame. The parana (fast-breaking) window is strictly observed between sunrise and one-third of the daytime on Dvadashi.
Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Pausha. Grants the boon of worthy progeny.
Krishna Paksha Ekadashi of Magha. Six types of sesame are used in the observance.
Appearance day of Lord Nityananda, the merciful incarnation of Balarama and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's closest associate.
Appearance day of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura (1874), Prabhupada's spiritual master and great preacher of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
Appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486 CE) — the golden avatar who inaugurated the Sankirtan movement. The most important festival in the Gaudiya Vaishnava calendar.
The strictest Ekadashi — complete fast without food or water for 24 hours. Equivalent merit of all 24 Ekadashis. Also known as Bhimseni Ekadashi.
The great chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra. ISKCON celebrates this worldwide following the Puri tradition.
Honoring Srila Vyasadeva and the guru parampara (disciplic succession).
Appearance day of Lord Balarama, the first expansion of Krishna and source of all spiritual strength.
Appearance day of Lord Sri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Fasting until midnight, then grand abhishek and feast.
Celebration of Nanda Maharaja's joy at Krishna's birth. Feasting day after Janmashtami fast.
Appearance day of Srimati Radharani, the supreme devotee and pleasure potency of Lord Krishna.
Appearance day of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (1896), founder-acharya of ISKCON. Grand Vyasa Puja celebrations worldwide.
Appearance day of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura (1838), the pioneer who revived Gaudiya Vaishnavism in the modern era.
Celebration of Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect Vrindavan from Indra's wrath. A mountain of prasadam (Annakut) is offered.
Disappearance day of Srila Prabhupada (1977). Devotees fast until noon and hold memorial programs.