The forthcoming Janmastami: Krishna Festival (one of the most important festivals in the Hindu Calendar) is the largest of its kind outside India and is set to not only be one of the most colourful but the primary colour this year is green. Groups such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace will give advice to festival-goers about improving their carbon footprint and devotees will advise on reducing their ‘karma footprint’.

The organisers of the Festival, which is part of the GLA’s “Indian Now” celebrations want to bring to everyone’s attention the need to be aware of their responsibility to mother earth . Sita Rama Das a spokesman for the Temple’s environmental team said: “We will be serving 65,000 people with a sumptuous free vegetarian meal in compostable cups and plates offering advice on recycling and reusing.”

Sheila Chauhan, a champion of the green issues at the Bhaktivedanta Manor said:"We are encouraging everyone to make a difference. But you can only do this once you take the first step and make a pledge. People will be asked to make pledges written on a leaf which will be hung to a large banyan tree and in turn each person will receive a free tree sapling to grow in their own gardens".

Krishna Janmastami festival will be celebrated on Sunday 2nd September and the actual day is Tuesday 4th September. Eager pilgrims stay up to have a glimpse of the radiant form of Lord Krishna at the midnight Aarti (prayer). Gauri Das, the Temple President said: “the festival is the show piece of our devotion to Lord Krishna and that of 1500 volunteers who have helped to make this festival such a success year after year. The highlight this year will be a flowered walkway through the spiritual gardens and woodlands around the lake."

Bhaktivedanta Manor near Watford was donated by the Beatle, George Harrison. The event is a glimpse of the colourful taste of mystic India with live stage shows, colourful costumes, enchanting music, meditation, exotic food and market stalls.