Gaura Purnima is a festival that celebrates the divine appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is considered to be Krishna himself. Also known as Palkhi Festival.
The auspicious appearing day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is also referred to as Gauranga because of His golden skin, is celebrated on Sri Gaura Purnima. According to the scriptures, the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, which is the holy names of God, is chanted communally by the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna, who manifested as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and taught the value of devotion to Lord Krishna. He manifested as the son of Sri Jagannath Mishra and Srimati Sachidevi on Phalguni Purnima, the full moon day in Phalguna (February–March) in 1486 AD (1407 Shakabda) at Sridham Mayapur. Since He was born in the courtyard of His paternal home beneath a Nimba (neem) tree, His parents gave Him the name Nimai. For Gaudiya Vaishnavas, the celebration also ushers in the New Year.
A Pallakki Utsava of Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga (Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda) kicks off the festivities. Amid loud kirtans, the Utsava Deities are brought in a procession in a flower-decked Pallakki. The Deities of Nitai Gauranga are given a spectacular abhisheka following the procession. Panchamrita and panchagavya are applied on Their Lordships first, and subsequently a variety of fruit fluids. Invoking the Lord in prayer, devotees chant passages from the Brahma-Samhita. The Gaura arati, a song written by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, is played in accompaniment to a big arati. Following the arati, the devotees recite the Purusha Sukta prayers as the Deities are bathed in holy water drawn from 108 kalashas. Then, Their Lordships are given a special gift and pushpa vrishti, a shower of fragrant flowers.
Following the abhisheka, Sri Sachi Tanayashtakam, a Shayana arati that narrates His transcendental form, attributes, and actions, is sung. The Shayana Pallakki Utsava opens the program.
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