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.

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