Birthday Celebration: Kṛṣṇa Takes the Cake

On August 18, thousands of Los Angeles residents saw Lord Krsna's birthday celebration, both in person (at ISKCON's Los Angeles center) and on television. Three stations and the Los Angeles Times covered this commemoration of Krsna's appearance on earth.

The event climaxed with a special gift to Lord Krsna: a half-ton cake shaped like an ancient Indian palace, complete with domes and balconies, colored lights, nectar-showering fountains, and gingerbread elephants. (The edible edifice took five days to make and ten days to eat.) Aside from the cake, the devotees offered the Lord 745 dishes; so there was plenty for everyone.

Inside and outside the temple, transcendental bands played and sang the Lord's glories. Also, the festival featured a butter-churning contest (right) and exhibits of transcendental sculpture, paintings, and books. Similar celebrations took place at other ISKCON centers worldwide.