Patna: A two-day spiritual youth festival titled Navras began on Saturday at ISKCON Patna, bringing together more than 1,000 young devotees for discussions, devotion and cultural expression rooted in Krishna consciousness.
Organised by the ISKCON Youth Forum Patna, the festival is designed to foster spiritual awareness, positive thinking and a sense of cultural identity among young people. Participants, many dressed in traditional dhoti-kurta attire, took part in devotional sessions, discourses and community activities over the course of the event.
Adikarta Das, co-chairman of ISKCON’s Temple Management Committee, said the programme was aimed at inspiring youth who are inclined towards spirituality. “This initiative is meant to nurture devotion, enthusiasm and moral awareness among young people, while deepening their understanding of India’s spiritual traditions,” he said.
Radhapati Charan Das, a senior member of the management committee and director of the ISKCON Youth Forum, described Navras as an effort to link young people with what he called their “true culture and spirituality”. He said such engagement could help bring positive change and guide them towards a more purposeful life.
The event was attended by Ashok Choudhary, the Bihar government’s rural works minister, who was the chief guest. Speaking at the gathering, he said that programmes like Navras contribute to the spiritual awakening of youth and reflect Bihar’s deep cultural and spiritual heritage.
Sayan Kunal, a member of Bihar Religious Trust Board, also praised the initiative, calling it a timely intervention for engaging young people in spiritual reflection. The secretary of ISKCON’s zonal management team, His Holiness Bhakti Parivraj, offered blessings to participants, while other senior members, including Gokuleshwar Das, Rishi Kumar Das and Jagdish Shyam Das of ISKCON Gaya, were present.
Organisers said the festival, which also featured scholars and spiritual leaders from across the state and country, was conceived as a platform to encourage service, cultural awareness and spiritual values among the next generation.
