Category: Krsna Kids DIY

Krsna kids activities fun DIY tutorials and crafts to do with your kids for remembering Krishna

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Growing Goverdhan kids activity

Goverdhan puja Hill Activity:

You will need:

  • Large saucer (either plastic or ceramic, depending on your budget)
  • Soil (potting mix is fine)
  • Your choice of Seeds –  I suggest a combo of allyssium, or other low growing ground cover seeds including grass

Use a large platter, like a saucer for under a big pot (buy from a garden wares shop), and mound up soil. You can combine the soil with  moisture retaining particles or if you buy a potting mix it may already have that in it.

Sew your seeds liberally – place the hill in a nice sunny spot.

Water daily with a gentle sprinkle

Watch and wait! Soon enough your little goverdhan hill will begin to sprout seedlings and you can watch it flourish.

You can now decorate your hill.

There a lots of mini kits online to use with terrariums, and this hill is just the right size to use them! Look out for mini deer, little rabbits, mushrooms, flowers and birds and cows, to decorate your hill.

You can also position a little Krsna atop your hill, but be mindful of not getting him wet! Krishna dolls are available at www.rememberkrishna.com/shop

If you would like to expand the Goverdhan hill activity you can also visit and download the beautiful ready to print pdf of Krishna and the residents of Vrindavan cut out figures. Print and color and cut – ready inhabitants of Vrindavan for the Goverdhan hill!

One of the nicest things about this activity is the way that you can look after it all year round, and keep adding on and growing new little things on your hill.

Goverdhan puja is such a wonderful festival and time of year a happy occasion to celebrate, and we can invite our children and friends into this world of transcendental happiness, enjoying decorating and making, and giving prasadam.

I have always wanted to have a Goverdhan hill for our home for my children to play with, and have been so enchanted and inspired by the Goverdhan celebrations and crafts I have seen from my friends and others online.  This growing Goverdhan Hill activity was inspired by a dear friend who first made the hill at home, for her grandchildren – covered in tulasi and alyssum flowers and little seedlings.  My sister in Hawaii also had in her garden a little rock mountain which was covered in moss where they placed a Krishna statute and had tulasi growing. It was in a central mound and we could circunambulate or and chant and worship goverdhan and Krishna.

Worship your hill by singing Jaya Goverdhan! Jaya Gopala, Goverdhan Giridhari.

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Krishna Avatar Shadow Puppets show

boar incarnation Varaha silhouette shadow puppet
It’s so special to offer Krsna our heartfelt and lovingly prepared offerings for His enjoyment! My dear friend and clever artist, teacher, and busy mother, Kalindi, put together this amazing presentation for a whole slew of children to be busily occupied in!
They had at least 5 practices and I had not seen a single thing before THE NIGHT! It was such an incredible performance, and honestly I had thought that maybe the puppet show (I knew they were practicing, at least) could be a fairly tame one to like a pre-recorded long storytape soundtrack, but WOW was I wrong! I was hollering for more when it finished! (No really, if you watch my version I’m cheering them on..). . . We all were!
When I asked Kalindi if she would like to share some photos and details about the puppet show creation with everyone to inspire and enthuse you, she was actually really happy and excited to, which makes me so happy! She’s prepared this great brief “how-to” and commentary for you, and I just know you will be as delighted as I am.

These puppets were designed to accompany the verses of the ‘Sri Dasavatara stotra’ Prayers by Jayadeva Goswami glorifying the incarnations of Lord Krishna on this planet.

cutting out the silhouette shadow puppets and drawing them before hand kid in shirt and black cardboard
Each puppet was carefully drawn onto black card with white pencil. Then cut out.  A knife was used to stencil out all the intricate details.  Some puppets had moving parts, so the limbs were drawn separately and reattached with a paper fastener.  Bamboo sticks were stuck to the main body as a holding stick, using masking tape, with each moving limb attached to a separate stick with a loop of wire and tape.
The shadow puppets are cut out of card stock and taped onto long sticks, with moveable joints
The most difficult part of producing these puppets is trying to make the longer parts, such as arms and weapons, steady.  This was done by taping on kebab sticks with tape and using clear sticky tape over all the stenciled out sections to protect from tearing.
The screen was made out of a white sheet, wooden poles and ropes attached for support.
shadow pupet presentation for theatre night janmastami silhouette art real scenes
When performing the show, there were between 2 to 4 people behind the screen at one time.  Some puppets need 2 people to work them as it is important to have one person hold the support stick while parts are moving.
The most difficult part of producing these puppets is trying to make the longer parts, such as arms and weapons, steady.  This was done by taping on kebab sticks with tape and using clear sticky tape over all the stenciled out sections to protect from tearing.
The most enjoyable puppet to work was Lord Matsya with his huge flapping tale and Lord Kalki, which had 3 people working him, as he could trot and stand on his hind legs.
Sri Dasavatara-stotra (from Gita-govinda) by Jayadeva Gosvami
(1)Silhouette Matsya shadow puppet incarnation of sri Krsna in shape of a fish
pralaya-payodhi-jale dhritavan asi vedam
vihita-vahitra-caritram akhedam
kesava dhrita-mina-sarira jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a fish! All glories to You!
You easily acted as a boat in the form of a giant fish just to give protection to the Vedas, which had
become immersed in the turbulent sea of devastation.
(2) Kurma turtle shadow puppet incarnation sri krishna silhouette art theatre inspiration
kshitir iha vipulatare tishthati tava prishthe
dharani-dharana-kina-cakra-garishthe
kesava dhrita-kurma-sarira jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a tortoise! All glories to You!
In this incarnation as a divine tortoise the great Mandara Mountain rests upon Your gigantic back as a pivot
for churning the ocean of milk. From holding up the huge mountain a large scarlike depression is put in
Your back, which has become most glorious.
(3)boar incarnation Varaha silhouette shadow puppet
vasati dasana-sikhare dharani tava lagna
sasini kalanka-kaleva nimagna
kesava dhrita-sukara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a boar! All glories to You!
The earth, which had become immersed in the Garbhodaka Ocean at the bottom of the universe, sits fixed
upon the tip of Your tusk like a spot upon the moon.
(4)Narasringhadev incarnation of Vishnu Shadow puppet silhouette krsna art show
tava kara-kamala-vare nakham adbhuta-sringam
dalita-hiranyakasipu-tanu-bhringam
kesava dhrita-narahari-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All
glories to You! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one’s fingernails, so in the same way the body of
the wasplike demon Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on Your beautiful
lotus hands.
(5)Vamana incarnation of Vishnu shadow puppet silhouette placing foot on Bali Maharaj head
chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta-vamana
pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana
kesava dhrita-vamana-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana! All
glories to You! O wonderful dwarf, by Your massive steps You deceive King Bali, and by the Ganges water that
has emanated from the nails of Your lotus feet, You deliver all living beings within this world.
(6)parasharam silhouette shadow puppet incarnation
kshatriya-rudhira-maye jagad-apagata-papam
snapayasi payasi samita-bhava-tapam
kesava dhrita-bhrigupati-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Bhrigupati [Parasurama]!
All glories to You! At Kurukshetra You bathe the earth in the rivers of blood from the bodies of the
demoniac kshatriyas that You have slain. The sins of the world are washed away by You, and because of You
people are relieved from the blazing fire of material existence.
(7)Sri Rama shadow puppet slays Ravana silhouette ramayana inccarnation
vitarasi dikshu rane dik-pati-kamaniyam
dasa-mukha-mauli-balim ramaniyam
kesava dhrita-rama-sarira jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Ramacandra! All glories to
You! In the battle of Lanka You destroy the ten-headed demon Ravana and distribute his heads as a
delightful offering to the presiding deities of the ten directions, headed by Indra. This action was long desired
by all of them, who were much harassed by this monster.
(8)Balaram shadow puppet silhouette
vahasi vapushi visade vasanam jaladabham
hala-hati-bhiti-milita-yamunabham
kesava dhrita-haladhara-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
0 Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Balarama, the wielder of
the plow! All glories to You! On Your brilliant white body You wear garments the color of a fresh blue rain
cloud. These garments are colored like the beautiful dark hue of the River Yamuna, who feels great fear due to
the striking of Your plowshare.
(9) buddha bodhi tree silhouette shadow puppet hindu art incarnation
nindasi yajna-vidher ahaha sruti-jatam
sadaya-hridaya darsita-pasu-ghatam
kesava dhrita-buddha-sarira jaya jagadisa hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Buddha! All glories to You!
O Buddha of compassionate heart, you decry the slaughtering of poor animals performed according to the rules
of Vedic sacrifice.
(10)kalki on horse rearing ready to slay demons shadow puppet silhouette
mleccha-nivaha-nidhane kalayasi karavalam
dhumaketum iva kim api karalam
kesava dhrita-kalki-sarira jaya jagadisa hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of Kalki! All glories to You!
You appear like a comet and carry a terrifying sword for bringing about the annihilation of the wicked
barbarian men at the end of the Kali-yuga.
(11)silhouette krsna shadow puppet
sri-jayedeva-kaver idam uditam udaram
srinu sukha-dam subha-dam bhava-saram
kesava dhrita-dasa-vidha-rupa jaya jagadisa hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed these ten different forms of
incarnation! All glories to You! O readers, please hear this hymn of the poet Jayadeva, which is most excellent,
an awarder of happiness, a bestower of auspiciousness, and is the best thing in this dark world.
(12)krsna and cow shadow puppet
vedan uddharate jaganti vahate bhu-golam udbibhrate
daityam darayate balim chalayate kshatra-kshayam kurvate
paulastyam jayate halam kalayate karunyam atanvate
mlecchan murchayate dasakriti-krite krishnaya tubhyam namah
O Lord Krishna, I offer my obeisances unto You, who appear in the forms of these ten incarnations. In the
form of Matsya You rescue the Vedas, and as Kurma You bear the Mandara Mountain on Your back. As
Varaha You lift the earth with Your tusk, and in the form of Narasimha You tear open the chest of the
daitya Hiranyakasipu. In the form of Vamana You trick the daitya king Bali by asking him for only three steps
of land, and then You take away the whole universe from him by expanding Your steps. As Parasurama You
slay all of the wicked kshatriyas, and as Ramacandra You conquer the rakshasa king Ravana. In the form of
Balarama You carry a plow with which You subdue the wicked and draw toward You the River Yamuna. As
Lord Buddha You show compassion toward all the living beings suffering in this world, and at the end of the
Kali-yuga You appear as Kalki to bewilder the mlecchas [degraded low-class men].

Thank you so much Kalindi for sharing this amazing creation with us all!

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Alternatives to tv evenings

This is kind of an evolution post. I started it when I was gripped by tv as entertainemnt, and while I stopped that, after a while I started reading fiction. So whatever your drug of choice is, your mental candy or comfort food, lets explore some alternate ideas and also take a good solid look at why we are doing that!

By the end of the day most people are totally exhausted, and sometimes it’s easy to slide into the habit of watching television programs… When I have just moved or my life is in upheaval or I’m feeling lazy, lonely, sad or unhappy, I do have a tendency to turn to some mental junkfood!

Recently I listened to a wonderful lecture from my spiritual master, Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda on our tendency to turn to anything BUT Krsna.. It really helped clarify in my mind what was going on with me and my mentality. You see, I’ve kind of fallen back into a really absorbing habit, which is reading.  My life has taken a couple of swirly turns, and been for me and my family, a personal crisis. Our battle to survive in this sink or swim world.

The main point I took away from the eye opening lecture was that; when we fill our emptiness with substitutes for Krsna, we are papering over the very loneliness and heart ache which is what we should be turning and filling up with Krsna!

We have to remember that it’s not a good practice to fall into, as you are opening yourself up to whatever subject matter you decide to watch, and in the evenings just before bed it’s particularly influential. (my problem!)

Instead you can read a book, (scripture), color in, or tell your kids a Krishna story.

You can also listen to a lecture, do japa, or do a puzzle.

Maybe you enjoy colouring in, or you could do that with your kids.

Prepare an arotik tray for the morning! All ideas…

I hope that just writing this will help ME to remember Krishna – because in remembering Krishna comes loving Krsna, and nothing is sweeter for the heart than loving Krishna.

Love,

Sita

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Jiving to soul music kirtan bands

kirtan band ashraya soulful music bohemian new age sound

Have you heard these amazing kirtan bands?

When you are growing up, you’re attracted to music – as you get older, for me at least, it dims in importance. But there are so many beautiful souls out in the world working on sharing their musical ability as a way of glorifying the supreme lord Sri Krishna – so why not support them, get behind their music and let our kids (and ourselves) enjoy the diverse musical arrangements that have only the most positive and beautiful lyrics and meanings!

I personally adore the music of the following bands, and I’d love to hear if you have some recommendations! In fact there are a few friends I need to chase up for I know they’ve had amazing music!

Atmasfera; watch their clips here: YOU TUBE

Buy their music here!

This might be my favorite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naCuh4lWXck

But then I adore this rocking one too!

https://youtu.be/1rYOswLObDQ

 

Ashraya is wonderful!

kirtan band ashraya soulful music bohemian new age sound

They are a kirtan band, so all music is sacred mantra’s, oh you have to watch and hear! And if you ever get the chance, you MUST experience kirtan with Ashraya in person! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VnWvT38E_4

You can keep an eagle eye on their next appearances on their facebook page, and also their website has some music downloads for your listening delights! Go HERE

WAI LANA yoga sound music wailanaThe exquisite music video by great yogi and artist Wai Lana is so beautiful and you must watch it at least once, and then you will be glued to it and watch it a thousand times!

View the dreamy soulful music video here

You can subscribe to Wai Lana You Tube, and she also has a website here https://www.wailana.com/ and a platform on almost every channel! Or should it be a channel on almost every platform? I’m not really sure, but it’s amazing to hear her beautiful songs.

Like her on facebook here

In our life, the kids are starting to develop their own musical tastes and my daughter just adores Atmasfera, and Ashraya! It’s always good to share what and where we can, little life tips – you might enjoy reading this post i put together earlier on blogs to follow

More parenting wisdom acquired with tears and difficulty here. 

kirtan sound band The cute band 4 Jivas has some super sweet music – you can visit their facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/4Jivasband/ and watch their video here 

Another fun band called Modiwo is one my friends only just introduced me to! I like their stuff – check them out: http://modiwo.com/

Man-tra pretty cute kirtan band for you to check out! Follow them on facebook here:

In fact, I was amazed recently to find some people do not sleep with music on auto repeat all night. When I was growing up we always had soft mellow kirtan chanting on repeat all night (on a tape deck at that time), and it’s something I have continued in our home for my children. The beautiful sound of kirtan can be a continuous background to your life, and your children will sleep easy hearing it.

In fact, I’m a little odd because I am happy to sleep with feverish, raging kirtan! My favorite go-to YouTube soundtracks and also for  is Science of Identity Channel! Jumping and dancing and chanting loudly like this; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR-l4ACu56E

is a lullaby to me! What about you?

What’s your bedtime soundtrack?

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Photograph Krsna competition Ideas

sweet baby krishna doll resting in a field of tulsi, on a dandelion puff in the green grass with yellow dhoti and bum up
cute balaram krishna jewellery
Baby Balaram pendant resting on a dandelion Krishna doll love

 

It’s been so nice seeing the different photographs people have been taking, staged with my sweet lil Krsna figures.. . You might have seen some of them on Instagram or Facebook – Here’s a few:

So, some of you suggested that I create a competition with a prize, for taking photo captures of my Krishna dolls, Balaram dolls, Radha dolls, & little Nimai dolls! Which I was interested in, but felt that probably the amount of people who have my little Krishna figures are quite limited – maybe 200 people? So I felt like that was too exclusionist for all my worldwide instagram friends! Besides which, for some, it’s simply not feasible to buy my Krsna dolls because of the conversion rate and shipping costs (how am I going to ship cheaper!?! Australia is such a far away place for most of you!).

Well because you guys are basically geniuses you suggested opening up the competition so that it can be ANY Krishna doll. I like it! I’m an inclusive sort of person, not exclusive…

Now all the little details are starting to jostle in my head!

Do we limit it to Krsna DOLLS only?

What about Deities?

Whose to say whats a doll whats a deity/ Krishna murti? See! Boggled!

Adorably positioned and photographed krishna doll, balaram doll, and radha doll positioned in a little travel cart

And how could I possibly judge all the wonder I just KNOW you creative people are going to come up with…

  1. Should I have a panel of judges (would you like to be on it?) Should I have #peoplesvote (how does that work by the way!)

  2. Should I run it from Facebook (would you keep up with it on Facebook?) & Instagram?

  3. How long would you need to really brainstorm and prep your amazing photoshoot?

  4. Have I forgotten anything????

What excites me about this competition idea is how much fun enthusiasts will have with it!

 

I was so delighted to glimpse all the Lego Krishna pastime settings which my clever friend Kalindi set up in 2016. So I know that the kids LOVE the challenge, and Krishna kids – now that’s my passion!

See how much help I need?!  Please comment with your ideas, or email me!