BANGALORE, JAN.1. The unique year-long yagna of chanting the names of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna, "Shata Koti Nama japa yagna", commenced from Saturday at the newly-constructed Harinama Mantapa at the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple premises on West of Chord Road here.

The chanting of the "Shata Koti Nama Japa Yagna" began with the dawn of the new millennium. The Governor, Ms. V.S. Rama Devi, the Union Minister for Culture, youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Ananth Kumar and several other dignitaries, besides thousands of devotees participated in the chanting.

A special entrance leading to the mantapa had been constructed in the temple premises. Devotees began gathering at the temple from the early hours of Saturday. The devotees walked the 108 steps of the mantapa chanting the names of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna on each step.

The temple authorities had made arrangements for the orderly movement of the devotees and visitors. Adequate arrangements for parking of vehicles had also been made. The chanting of the names of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna 100 crore times was aimed at fostering world peace and harmony. Temple sources said the year 2000 could be considered as the dawn of the sixth millennium of the Kaliyuga. The Nama Japa Yagna will conclude an year later.