Vrindavan Yatra

September 12, 2009. Saturday.

This time we decided to take devotees who are regularly coming to our house program on a one day yatra to Vrindavan. The idea was to let them experience Sridhama, by following in the footsteps of devotees. We hired a tempo traveller. Left at 5 AM in the morning with intent of reaching Krishna Balarama Mandir before 7:15. But Krishna had other plans. His Grace Avyanga Prabhu also gladly accepted to accompany us. Without his guidance, this trip would'nt have been such a success that it was.

Reached Sridhama Vrindavan at 8:30. After taking darshans at KB Temple, we immediately left for darshans of Goswami temples. First stop was at Radha Madan Mohan Temple. The weather was at it's best. With not a sign of sunshibe, cool breeze was flowing. A perfect spring season. From the temple, we could see Yamuna ji flowing through the green fields. 

Thereafter we left for Radha Damodar temple, all the while doing kirtan on the streets. After hearing about it's glories and taking darshans at Srila Prabhupada's rooms, we left for Radha Shyamsundar Temple. There we witnessed sweet Arati of Lala n Lali jee. Thereafter we made it just in time to behold the beautiful darshans of Sri Radha Ramanji. After savoring on the mystical pastime of his divine appearance and Rabri prasadam, that is out of this world, we moved on to reach Banke Bihari temple on time. But unfortunately we got late n the temple was closed.

While rest of the party went to the rooms we had booked for resting, Avyanga Pr n I went to Loi Bazaar for shopping. Then we reached KB temple at 3 for Lunch prasadam. Then there was a period of 2-3 hours for devotees to spend as they like. I chose to take rest. Then by 5-5:30 we all reassembled at KB temple, enjoying Kirtan. The clock stuck 1830 hrs and it was Aindra Prabhu all the way. Devotees in the temple swayed as he melodiously glorified the lord by chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Gaura Arati on saturdays are special as in the kirtan is led by GuruKulis.

Finally left for Delhi at 7:45 pm. We got a few burgers and other prasadam packed. All in all the yatra was blissful. On our way back we asked for the experience of the people who had gone for the first time to Vrindavan in association of devotees. By this I dont mean that my association was great. But we tried our best to give the newcomers a glimpse to the nectar that people taste when ISKCON temple conducts such Yatras. We asked house program devotees to maintain devotional mood rather than picnic mood.

Personally, this was one of the best Yatras, as it combined all the factors - Service, Temple Darshans and Kirtans at KB temple.

Opportunity for Vaishnava Seva

It had been my desire to invite His Grace Jugal Kishor Prabhu and other devotees from Pune when they come to Delhi either to attend Vyasa Puja Mahotsava or during Kartik Yatra. But their schedule is packed and hence it couldn't have been a possibility for last 2 years.

Jugal Kishor Prabhu again came on Aug 31 to Delhi to attend a 5-day seminar on Leadership initiative. It was presided by His Grace Brhad Mrdanga Prabhu. After lot of changing schedules, the opportune day of Monday was decided when Prabhuji agreed to come to our house. He came along with His Grace Sarva Lakshana Prabhu (Pune), His Grace Padma Puri Prabhu (Pune, but now serving in Delhi).

They came around 7:30 pm. After having darshans of lord at our home altar, they performed Gayatri. Then they were served Prasadam, north Indian style. Afterwards, we had invited a few local residents who are now regularly attending the Namahatta program. There was little kirtan and then Prabhuji spoke for a few minutes on different aspects of Krishna Consciousness, and how it is the only process to achieve satisfaction. There was a question by the audience which was satisfactorily answered by SarvaLakshan Prabhu.

Around 9:30 PM , they left for the temple. They had to catch the train to Rourkela the next morning at 7 AM.

The appreciation of course goes to Mithilesh, my mother and father for making nice arrangements for honoring devotees.

Guru Maharaja Vyasa Puja 2009

The auspicious day of Ekadasi , next to Janmashtmi holds special significance. For on that day a beloved disciple of Srila Prabhupada appeared on this planet. It's appearance day of His Holiness Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaja.

Maharaja, was born in Delhi in year 1944. He was in Montreal, Canada when he first met Srila Prabhupada. He actually served his Guru Maharaj by cleaning his room, before even meeting him for the first time. Maharaja was more an more facsinated with the personality and philosophy of Srila Prabhupada and thus decided to dedicate his life towards propagating the Krishna Consciousness Mission. He served Srila Prabhupada by managing printing of Books in India. He was also managing affairs at Vrindavan and Mayapur temples. In 1982, he accepted the Sannyasa order of life. He now travels extensively throughout the world for preaching the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and delivering innumerable conditioned souls.

For last 4 years it has been privilige for devotees

in New Delhi to host this Glorious Event in the honor of Guru Maharaja. Many devotees from all across India and world come in to attend his festival.

The day begins with Mangala Arati, where Maharaja worships Their Lordships Sri Sri gaura Nitai. After this, he sings Guru Vandana for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. Thereon he leaves for the venue: Sri Fort Auditorium at around 9:30 AM from Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, ISKCON Delhi.

Barring a few most devotees reach venue before Maharaja to give him a royal welcome. Maharaja then proceeds towards the stage, paying obeisances to Prabhupada and the deities, he takes his vyasa asana built specially for the day. Glorification started this year as always by His Grace Gopi Parandhana Prabhu , where he explained the significance of the day.

After this Maharaja's godbrother His Grace Sri Dhama Prabhu glorified Maharaja and thanked him for engaging him in the service of Radha Parthasarathi. Then Maharaja's only Sanyasa disciple His Holiness Prabodhananda Maharaja offered his glorification, followed by many of his senior disciples.

Simultaneously, devotees line up to offer their gifts to Maharaja and seek his blessings. Followed by Feet bathing ceremony, Arotik and Bhoga offering. Then devotees return to temple to honour Ekadasi feast. It is a feast in all respects having 14-15 food items.

Evening celebrations start in Temple's very own Auditorium. the remaining devotees from Pune, Ahemdabad, Delhi Punjabi Bagh and East of Kailash offer their glorifications. This is the time when I also sneaked up on the stage to offer a gift to Maharaja and seek his blessings by touching his Lotus feet. It got very late so maharaja spoke for exactly 5 minutes from Srimad Bhagavatam.

Thus the glorious day came to an end, etched forever in the heart of disciples.

Countless are the number of devotees, whose faith in Sri Guru would have increased, along with surrender to His Instructions after hearing his inconcievable transcendental glories which are potent enough to liberate a conditioned soul from the bondages of the materialistic concept of life.

For photos and videos, please visit www.gopalkrishnagoswami.com