Panihati Yatra - Day 2

Continuing from the first day of yatra, here is the account of the second day when we visited Sri Ranganath and Banks of Kaveri. Despite last day’s tiresome but enthusiastic schedule, devotees got up in time for Mangala Arati by 5:00 AM. Devotees led a joyous kirtan thereafter and we got lost in dancing and chanting.

We departed for SriRangapatnam, just an hour drive from Melukote at 7:30 AM.


Day 2: Melukote to SriRangapatnam.

The bus stopped at the parking area. We got down and proceeded to the temple. The temple was built by the Ganga dynasty rulers of the area in the 9th century; the structure was strengthened and improved upon architecturally some three centuries later. Following the Sri Vaishnava etiquette we paid obeisances outside before the Garuda Stambha. We moved through one door to another finally reaching the inner sanctum sanctorum of the temple which houses the Sri Vigraha of the Lord of the Universes koti brahmanda nayaka : Sri Vishnu, lying down on the bed of Great Ananta, resting his head on one of his hands. Kaveri Devi is situated near the lotus feet of lord. The deity is all in all an illustration of the Lord’s majesty and opulence. It is so big that we can see only a part of Deity at one time, either the lotus smiling face, or the torso or the legs and lotus feet. The temple also has the Sri Vigrahas of Lord Narsimha Deva, Sudarshan Chakra and Laksmi Devi.

Here H.G. Sacidulal Prabhu – the IYF Bangalore Director joined us. After taking darshans we proceeded to the banks of River Kaveri to perform a special ceremony. It was the auspicious Appearance Day of His Holiness Tamala Krishna Goswami Maharaja – the dearmost spiritual master of Sacidulal Prabhu. We arranged an altar having Maharaj’s Picture, His book, Ranganath Prasadam and flowers. First some excerpts from the book ‘Servant of the Servant’ were read followed by glorification of his Spiritual Master by Sacidulal Prabhu. He cited many pastimes of Maharaj with Srila Prabhupada. Prabhupada used to remark that Maharaj had a “brain of Brahma”. Maharaj is known for his tireless and uninterrupted service to Srila Prabhupada. Then we sang the Gurvastaka prayer, performed kirtan and offered pushpanjali to Maharaj.

All Glories to His Holiness Tamal Krishna Goswami Maharaja.

After Vyas Puja Celebration, we came back to the parking area and boarded the bus. Buses from Bangalore having congregation devotees had started flocking the area. In 10 minutes we reached Gosai Ghat where the main event was to be carried out. Tents had already been put up. Gaura Nitai were waiting behind the curtains and devotees were absorbed in their respective areas of service. It was a well organized Supply Chain Management. One group was washing utensils and supplying water from the river. Next batch was washing mangoes, some were peeling them, some were cutting them and others making a pulp out of them. Similarly some were rolling puris and cutting vegetables. It was much like the original festival at Panihati on the steps of the bank.

After sometime when senior devotees arrived with rest of the congregation, the abhisheka ceremony of Sri Sri Nitai Gaurasunder started. After taking a bath in various liquids like milk, honey and fruit juices, they were given a flower shower in the end. Then the 10 deities were carried on the heads by 10 devotees and proceeded for the watersports in the river. It was like Mahaprabhu and Nityananda and all other associates bathing in the Narendra Sarovar near Puri. Devotees splashed the cool water of Kaveri on the transcendental brothers shouting loudly in ecstasy: Gauranga! Nityananda! Gauranaga! Nityananda! Gauranga………..!!!!!

The rest of the devotees also entered in the river and had a good time. Splashing each other and trying to touch each other’s feet, devotees were oblivious to the outside world.

All devotees now fresh with enthusiasm; it was time for the cultural presentation. First IYF-Girls presented a pantomime themed “Me, My Mind and Kali (the age of quarrel and hypocrisy)”. It showcased how mind and Kali together conspire against the living entity and become the cause of suffering. But when the remedy of Krishna Consciousness is introduced, the mind becomes subjugated, kali keeps a distance and the sweet sound of Mohan’s murli arise in our heart, and through the process one day we come face to face with the lord of our lives: Sri Krishna.

After this brilliant performance it was time for IYF-Boys to present a skit based on one of the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with His intimate devotee, Gauridasa Pandit. This pastime is mentioned in Caitanya Bhagvat. It also included the pastime of how Mahaprabhu and Nityananda entered the heart of one of Gauridas’ Disciple – Hridayananda. There after the disciple was named Hridaya Caitanya – one in whose heart Mahaprabhu lives.

The much awaited part of the yatra was now in execution – The Feast Prasadam. The menu was extensive including puris, pulao, pineapple chutney, 2 subzis, kheer, sevai sweet, besan burfi and of course the main ingredient of this festival – Dahi Chira. The preparation was very rich with dry fruits. The devotees sat in lines and honored prasadam in great anticipation on banana leafs.

It was time for us to leave; back to the city’s hustle and bustle from this natural and simple life. While returning in the bus, we enjoyed a video titled Munnabhai . The central theme of the video was “Identifying a Guru” and was performed by devotees at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, Chowpatty. Finally the two day long yatra came to an end, but the memories would be forever etched in the minds of devotees.