wv kirtan collective

CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH KIRTAN & BHAVA CENTERED EVENTS

bha·va | \ ˈbʱaː.ʋə \
noun

bhava is the collective devotional emotion, mood, or "feeling-tone" that animates the chanting. It is the inner spiritual juice that transforms kirtan from a simple musical performance into a deep, meditative experience of the heart

A woman with long, wavy red hair and glasses playing a small keyboard outdoors, smiling with eyes closed, wearing a green shirt, patterned scarf, and beads, with sunlight and trees in the background.

A group of people having a picnic outdoors on a sunny day, sitting on blankets on the grass in front of a white building.

Hindu temple altar with colorful sculptures of deities, framed by intricate wooden architecture, and surrounded by flowers and photographs.

Group of people sitting on cushions and rugs in a dimly lit room, some of them engaging in a discussion or listening to a speaker at the front.

A man and a woman sitting outdoors on a grassy area, with the man playing an acoustic guitar and the woman sitting nearby. The woman is dressed in white, and the man is in light-colored clothing. They are under a covered porch, with a lush green fore

Group of people in colorful clothing posing under a wooden pavilion with a stone fireplace, surrounded by green trees.

An outdoor summer festival with people sitting on blankets and chairs near a white canopy tent, with a stage and performers, surrounded by green trees and blue sky.

Two women sitting outdoors on a concrete surface during sunset, with scenic trees and a river in the background. One woman is smiling, holding a melodica, and the other has a serious expression, holding a drum and standing near a railing.

A group of people sitting and kneeling on a wooden deck outdoors, with a forested background. They are gathered around a small portable piano, some are playing or looking at it. There are pillows, shoes, and a dog lying down on a blanket in the foreg

A spiritual altar featuring flowers, photographs, candles, rocks, and various religious and spiritual items. Red rose petals are scattered across the surface, with pink lilies and separate rose bouquets in vases. Pictures of spiritual leaders and sce

Four people sitting on a balcony, playing musical instruments and smiling, during daytime.

Hare Krishna devotees gathered outdoors, sitting on mats and playing musical instruments, with some people standing around. There are signs and flowers in front, and metal barricades in the background.

A musician playing guitar and singing to a woman who is sitting and listening in an outdoor covered area. There is a statue of a multi-armed figure with a circular frame behind it on the wall.

Hindu altar decorated with colorful statues of deities, flowers, and greenery, with a ornate gold backdrop and chandeliers, dedicated to Sri Sri Gaura Nitai and Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra.

Three people sitting outdoors on a covered patio area surrounded by trees and greenery. One woman with glasses and long, wavy blonde hair is smiling at the camera, wearing a white top and floral skirt, sitting on a green cushion with a yellow and ora

Collage of various images including parrots, a lake with a building, an elephant, flamingos, a leopard, horses, a tiger in a cave, and a cultural festival with people and architectural structures.

bhak·ti | \ ˈbʱək.ti \
noun

A spiritual path centered on absolute devotion, unconditional love, and complete surrender to a personal deity or the Divine supreme. It represents one of the four main paths of yoga (Bhakti Yoga) in classical Indian philosophy.

kir·tan | \ ˈkiːr.tʌn \
noun

A dynamic form of spiritual practice centered on call-and-response chanting of sacred mantras, divine names, and devotional hymns. Accompanied by instruments like the harmonium, mridanga, and cymbals, it is designed to quiet the mind, open the heart, and awaken bhava (devotional emotion).

experience kirtan

Kirtan is the practice of call-and-response chanting of sacred sanskrit mantras. When we gather together, we devote ourselves to sharing our voices, opening our hearts, and connecting to the divine.
Each kirtan is different. Sometimes we share sanskrit mantras through slow meditative chants, other times we dance and celebrate to the beat of the mridangam (drum). No prior experience is necessary to enjoy and bask in the shared bhava.
The most important part of sharing kirtan with others is an open heart. By sharing your unique voice alongside the collective group, you are able to transcend into bhakti (pure love and devotion). You are always welcome to bring instruments along or your own mantras to share.