Govardhana Puja is the celebration of Krishna’s pastime of lifting Govardhana Hill. As Srila Prabhupada relates in the Krishna book (chapters 24 and 25), Krishna dissuaded his father, Nanda Maharaja, from performing ritualistic sacrifice to the demigod Indra, and encouraged the residents of Vrindavana to worship Govardhana Hill. All the cowherd men of Vrindavana had arranged to worship King Indra. Because Vrindavana is a village of vaisyas (farmers and dairymen), and especially dependent on the rain to grow crops and feed the cows, the cowherd men felt obliged to offer Lord Indra some worship in order to ensure regular supply of rain. However, Krishna persuaded His Father, Nanda Maharaja, to abandon the worship of Lord Indra and to use the preparations he had already made to worship the cows, the brahmanas (priests) and Govardhana Hill. He instructed His father to prepare delicious foodstuffs from the grains and ghee collected for Lord Indra’s yajna. Krishna ordered that this feast be offered to Govardhana Hill with Vedic mantras chanted by qualified brahmanas. He instructed that the cows be decorated and fed to their satisfaction. Then keeping the cows before them, the inhabitants of Vrindavana were to circumambulate Govardhana Hill. When all these activities had been carefully performed, Krishna expanded Himself into a gigantic, transcendental form and declared to the inhabitants of Vrindavan that He was Himself Govardhana Hill, and accepted all the offerings made during the ceremony. Being proud of his position as King of the Demigods, Lord Indra took great offense at his sacrifice being cancelled, and attempted to chastise Krishna and the inhabitants of Vrindavan by calling the samvartaka clouds (used to inundate the world at the end of each cycle of yugas) and instructing them to totally destroy the residents, the cows and the village of Vrindavana. Lord Krishna offered protection to the cowherd men and women by lifting Govardhana Hill so they could shelter underneath from Indra’s wrath. Krishna exhibited His supreme mystic power by holding the mountain aloft for seven days with the little finger of his left hand. Devotees celebrate this remarkable pastime by observing the festival called Govardhana Puja and Go Puja. For Govardhana Puja, a replica of Govardhana Hill is made from prasadam (food offered to Krishna), and a murti of Krishna is placed on top. The devotees then circumambulate this hill while singing in kirtana. Afterwards, the prasadam is distributed freely. This is a very exciting and meaningful festival, and is always enjoyed by those who participate. Also it is said that those who celebrate the Govardhana Puja festival need never fear death by snakebite!

This festival, which occurs in March or April, celebrates the appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu just over five hundred years ago in West Bengal. The festivities take place in temples all over the world but especially so in the Mayapur area (near Calcutta), the international centre for all followers of Lord Caitanya. Lord Caitanya, or Mahaprabhu (the great master), is Krishna Himself appearing as His own pure devotee in order to teach the religious process (yuga-dharma), for this age. In previous ages religious processes were more rigorous but in this age , the age of Kali, (quarrel and hypocrisy), Lord Caitanya taught that one can gain full enlightenment simply by chanting Hare Krsna. Those who witnessed the pastimes of Lord Caitanya saw Him dance and chant in love of God. Mahaprabhu induced many people to take up the process and taste the spiritual pleasure it bestows on anyone who begins to chant, no matter what their background or level of spiritual qualification. The present day International Society for Krishna Consciousness continues the work began by Lord Caitanya who predicted that the chanting of the Holy Names of Krishna would spread all over the world. Gaura Purnima means "Golden Full Moon", signifying that Lord Caitanya took birth at the time of the full moonrise and also that the Lord, being extremely merciful, would benedict everyone with the soothing moonlike rays of His sublime teachings. His followers spend this festival fasting and chanting congregationally, then at moonrise a sumptuous feast is enjoyed by all.

Janmastami is the major annual festival for Vaisnavas and in that way could be likened to Christmas in the Christian calendar. It takes place in August or early September. Traditionally devotees fast until midnight, the hour of Lord Krishna's appearance, having spent the day performing devotional activities in honour of this most auspicious occasion. Typical festive activities are: Cooking 108 different delicacies for offering to the Lord at midnight. (All the foods and drinks are then served to all the guests and celebrants). Darshan (viewing) of the Lord in His specially decorated murti (statue) form on the flower-laden altar. Abhiseka (public bathing) of the form of the Lord using fruit juices and milk products. Bhajanas (devotional songs) sung to traditional tunes accompanied by traditional instruments (and sometimes modern ones). Dramas re-enacting the pastimes of Lord Krishna. Dance in the traditional Indian style, sometimes with modern innovations, portraying the Lord's pastimes. Readings from the scriptures, particularly the section describing the Lord's unique birth and the intriguing events leading up to and following His arrival. Kirtana (group chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra) this is a daily affair in temples but on a festival day devotees consider the more kirtana there is the better it is. Krishna periodically appears in other forms but this festival celebrates His arrival in his original form as a two-armed beautiful cowherd boy with bluish hued skin who plays a flute and enjoys family and village pastimes with His most intimate and loving devotees. Although, being God, He is Lord of all the worlds, He prefers to interact as a village cowherd boy and His Vaisnava followers aspire to one day join Him in His eternal blissful pastimes in His own home, Vrndavana. This is the essential religious sentiment and mood of Janmastami.

Nityananda Trayodasi is the appearance anniversary of Lord Nityananda. Lord Nityananda, whose name means "eternally blissful", is the brother of Lord Caitanya. They are traditionally worshipped together, as are Krishna and Balarama. On Nityananda Trayodasi devotees fast till noon. The day is spent recounting the special glories of Lord Nityananda, or Nitai as He is sometimes known, and in vigorous kirtana. In temples there is a ritual bathing of Gaura Nitai deities. Lord Nityananda is an avadhuta: one who is not bound by social customs. He acts in pure devotion to His Divine brother in the mood of His servant but His behaviour is sometimes unfathomable. Nevertheless He is considered more merciful than Lord Caitanya because He is so eager to deliver the mercy of Lord Caitanya. If anyone can please Nitai even in the smallest way, then that person will receive a spiritual grace that will transform his life. This festival generally falls in February. Devotees enjoy a sumptuous feast in honour of Lord Nityananda who was Himself renowned as a very enthusiastic enjoyer of Krishna prasadam, transcendentally consuming it in superhuman quantities!.

Srimati Radharani is the eternal consort of Lord Krishna. Her appearance day is celebrated exactly two weeks after Krishna's. Radharani's special qualification is that She is the best devotee of Krishna. Krishna therefore loves Her the most. On Her festival day, devotees seeking Krishna's grace will especially ask Her to grant them devotion to Her beloved Lord, knowing that if they can attain Her favour, they can attain His as a natural consequence. Others may pray to Lord Krishna that He may permit them to approach the lotus feet of Srimati Radharani, knowing that if He is satisfied by their prayer then She will smile upon them also and pure devotion will be theirs.
Sri Sri Radha and Krishna are the Eternal Divine Couple and are forever bound up in transcendental love for one another. Worshipping Them is the goal of life for Gaudiya Vaisnavas. This esoteric subject matter is not openly discussed by devotees but on this special day devotees will remind themselves of the sublime goal of their religious practices. On Radhastami, Sri Sri Radha Krishna deities are traditionally dressed entirely in flowers. A spectacular sight not to be missed! Also, please note that only on this day may you receive the auspicious darshan of Srimati Radharani's lotus feet. On all other days Her feet remain covered. Devotees will fast until noon and sing devotional songs in praise of the Divine Couple and Their pastimes. Then a feast is served, most often including the famous Radha Red — a delicious, spicey, plum chutney.

Rama Navami , the appearance anniversary of Lord Rama, is very popular in India where many people are devotees of Lord Ramacandra. Similarly in ISKCON temples where Lord Rama is worshipped many people will gather to celebrate. Lord Rama is the incarnation of Lord Krishna as the perfect monarch. He enacts His lila, or pastime, of killing Ravana and establishing virtue, by personal example, throughout His kingdom. The epic story of His transcendental adventures is told in the scripture Ramayana in which one reads of His unfailing devotion to His wife Sita and Their affectionate dealings with Lord Rama's many family members, particularly His devoted Brother, Laksmana. Other festivals are also held to celebrate different events in the life of Lord Ramacandra, such is His vast popularity and fame.

This Vaisnava festival commemorates the appearance of Lord Nrsimhadeva who has an extraordinary form of half-lion and half-man. This form of Krishna is glorified, described and explained in the Vaisnava scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam. The story is told how Hiranyakasipu, a powerful enemy of the Lord, sought and gained benedictions tantamount to achieving immortality. He was not to be killed by any man, any animal, or any weapon. He could not be killed indoors or outdoors, in the air or water, or on the ground. He could not be slain during the day or the night and in this way he thought himself invincible. In a battle with Lord Nrsimha, Hiranyakasipu, met his match. The Lord appeared in His most ferocious feature to defend His dear devotee Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu had been torturing and attempting to kill Prahlada despite him being his son! The Lord does not tolerate mistreatment of His devotee and thus He killed the demon by setting him on his lap, positioning Himself in the doorway at dusk and ripping apart his body with His claws, thus easily maintaining the benedictions given to Hiranyakasipu but effectively dispatching him. Devotees sing special prayers to Lord Nrsimha invoking His protection from unwanted influences, external and internal.

This is the birthday celebration of Srila Prabhupada, ISKCON's founder-acarya. Srila Prabhupada was born on the day immediately after Janmastami, 1896. Festivities are therefore carried over from Janmastami to the next day in celebration of the arrival in this world of the great personality who introduced so many people to Krishna consciousness. In fact he is still introducing people to his beloved Lord Krishna through his books. This special day brings an increased awareness of him and more elaborate worship. Devotees gather in the morning and share homages written in praise and appreciation of Srila Prabhupada. This can be a very moving and spiritually uplifting event in which to participate. The traditional guru-puja bhajana is sung by the devotees around noon, after the offering of a wonderful feast (including kachoris, which Srila Prabhupada especially liked), and a n offering of flower petals to Srila Prabhupada. When the ensuing kirtana finally subsides the feast is served to all the devotees. The remains of the afternoon is then well spent in catching up on rest after the two days of festivities and weeks of Janmastami preparation!