NIDHI SINGH (Rajdhani Mandir Temple, Chantilly, Virginia): In Hinduism, we believe in one God. However, our one God has several forms -- Brahma, who's the creator; Vishnu, who is the preserver; and Shiva, who's the destructor of all evil. Lord Krishna is a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. The teachings that Lord Krishna imparted in the Gita -- I can take from that and incorporate into my life and find hope, guidance, spirituality, peace, comfort, many different things.
The devotees come here to participate and celebrate Lord Krishna's birth. When we celebrate Lord Krishna there's a lot of singing and dancing because that's what he used to do when he as younger. There's loud chanting and people are singing and getting very excited about the midnight hour, and we're getting ready to welcome Krishna.
As the midnight hour approaches, we dim the lights. The priest comes out and actually brings a live baby in a cradle, carrying him on his head, depicting how it truly happened with Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was carried in a cradle by his father on his head to safety, to keep him safe from the evil king.
I come with all my worries, my thoughts from the outside world, everything that's on my mind. I'm giving up my ego. I'm leaving behind my worries and being reminded of God's love, of not feeling defeated by any hardship that I might be facing and getting strength to continue to do my dharma as Krishna taught -- continuing to do the right things, not questioning why or what I'm going to get in return for it.
