The theme and its story: Nama Sankirtana

This inaugural theme is of Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He is the great apostle of love of God and one who started the congregational chanting, Nama sankirtana, with the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra - Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare. He was born in the city of Navadvipa in Bengal in the year 1486.

Vedic texts state Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Person, Krishna, appearing as His own worshiper, in the simplest form. He is the combined form of Krishna and Krishna's most dear devotee, Radharani. He came to experience the love she feels for Him, and show by example how to fully surrender to Krishna.

Shri Chaitanya exhibited signs of love of God to the highest degree, and emphasized chanting the holy names of Krishna as the best means to attain love of God. He came to earth simply to preach Krishna-bhakti, love of Krishna. We should remember that Shri Chaitanya is Krishna or God Himself teaching us how to become Krishna conscious and we must approach Him in that light.