09-02-88 09:17 ped
 
 Krishnas hold Labor Day festival
   MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (UPI) _ Hare Krishna devotees by the thousands
were to make an annual pilgrimage to the sect's New Vrindaban community
today to celebrate the Janmastami festival.
   Spokesman Gadadhar das said New Vrindaban leaders plan to unveil a
200-square foot model of a new City of God at the festival, which is
held every Sept. 3 to celebrate the birthday of Janmastrami, Lord
Krishna.
   Festival activities were begun today with a procession of devotees,
guests and horse-drawn buggies led by Malini, the New Vrindaban
elephant. The procession will end at the rear of Prabhupada's Palace of
Gold, site of the festival's main stage where the City of God model will
be unveiled.
   Gadadhar das said the public is invited to attend the festival,
which also will feature a torchlight prayer march tonight to the
community's lake. A fireworks display will be held.
   Festivities will be continued Sunday with a vegetarian feast held
to celebrate the birthday of A.C. Bhaktivendanta Swami Prabhupada,
founder of the Krishna movement.
   More festivities are planned for Monday.
   "The prize-winning Palace Rose Gardens are in full bloom, and
another attraction not to be missed," said Gadadhar das, noting that
the American Rose Society recently awarded its top prize to the Krishna
gardens.