Vrindavan Dham!

Sri Vrindavan Dham ki Jaya!
Jaya Sri Radhe Shyama!

Firstly it is the causeless mercy of Smt.Radharani for giving me entry into her Dham.I never expected that i would Sri Vrindavan Dham,the plans i made was so confusing at first but due to the causeless mercy of Smt.Radharani everything went on very very well and so much of causeless mercy was showered upon this most fallen soul.
I firstly also thank my God sisters for inviting me to come with them when my trip was so confusing.We left for Sri Vrindavan Dham,we all got into the train and it was so wonderful being with devotees and kept discussing Gaura Lila.Gaura Lila is so wonderful and Lord Gaurahari is so merciful.We were discussing various pastimes.Enjoyed a lot on the train.The next morning a few devotees got down at Mathura and we proceeded to Delhi as we had to go to Jaipur.We went to Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathy temple at Delhi,a wonderful and a very huge temple.I was just amazed the way the temple was maintained.On the walls of the temple were the pastimes of Lord Gaurahari,and i couldn't stop staring at them,especially the pastime when Gaurahari falls into ecstacy when he sees Lord Jagannath.We were at the temple for a long time and the deities were very beautiful.We had a wonderful time there.Then we proceeded to the station where we had to leave for Jaipur.It was an overnight journey and the morning we reached Jaipur and we first went to Sri Sri Radha Govinda Mandir which was the deity brought from Vrindavan Dham for Mangal aarti.It was so wonderful and there were thousands of devotees early morning.They all were so devoted.Its sad that we all don t go for Mangal Aarti but at the Radha Govinda temple there are thousands of devotees each morning,eagerly waiting for the darshan of their dear most Lordships.It was an amazing sight to see.We had the darshan of HH.Rompada Swami Maharaj.Immediately we left after Mangal Aarti for Sri Sri Radha Damodar temple.There were so many devotees there also.We sang the Damodar Ashtakam there.Radha Damodar sported yellow garments and they looked so beautiful.Immediately we left for a temple of Lord Shiva where we had to perfrom abhishekam of Lord Shiva.We prayed for Lord Shiva's mercy as he is the greatest Vaishnava.Then we left for Sri Radha Vinodarilal temple.The deities were small but they looked just beautiful.Vinodarilal ji looked like Sri Radha Raman ji in Vrindavan.Then we left for Sri Sri Radha Gopinath temple.We were there for darshan aarti.It was so wonderful.Radha Gopinath is always merciful and looked so sweet.Later after darshan,we left for the Birla Mandir,Sri Lakshmi Narayan temple.The deities were huge and they looked really beautiful.Then we had prasadam in a temple.Later we saw many temples around Jaipur.We went to the temple where there was Ganga water coming out of a Cows mouth.It was wonderful.On top was the temple where Baladeva Vibhushana wrote commentary looking at the beautiful face of Govinda.Then we went to many more temples.We went to the temple which rich Zamindars had built.Then in the evening we went to the Jaipur Palace which is just behind Sri Sri Radha Govind temple.The palace was very wonderful and it had beautiful paintings of Sri Sri Radha Govinda ji.Then we left for Mathura by bus and reached Mathura late night and reached Vrindavan Dham at 12 in the night.
First paid our obeisances to Sri Vrindavan Dham.The entry of Vrindavan Dham itslef was so exciting.It had so much of spiritual bliss and it made everybody smile.We waited for a room and finally got one and slept for a few hours.Immediately got ready and went for Darshan Aarti.I entered Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir after a whole year.I was just too excited about the temple.Immediately went to Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi and paid my obeisances.Without Srila Prabhupada's mercy all the people all over the world would have not known the glories of Sri Vrindavan Dham and i wouldnt have visited the Dham too.Then immediately ran to see the Lordships Sri Sri Gaura Nitai,Sri Sri Krishna Balaram and Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar.They wore a wonderful dress and they looked just amazing.Immediately took darshan and sat down for Srimad Bhagavatam class.Listened to the class and it was just amazing.Finally went for prasadam.I asked whether i could serve prasadam and they readily agreed.Srila Prabhupada always used to say that serving prasadam to Vaishnavas was the best service ever.Prabhupada himself used to serve his disciples and always asked them to have more prasadam :) This serving of prasadam gave immense of happiness to me and i always did it whole heartedly.The whole day was at the temple,chanting and doing some small services.Days in Vrindavan passed by so quickly and was absorbed in everything and the mood of Vrajavasis should be brought to actually be in Vrindavan Dham.
The next day was Diwali or the festival of lights,the actual day when Damodar Lila took place.Everybody was so enthusiastic and the day went by...we went to temples like Radha Damodar,Radha Gopinath,Radha Govind,Sri Bankey Bihari ji and Sri Radha Raman and many other temples.They were so wonderful.Whole morning was spent visiting temples.It was so wonderful to see.Then went back to serve prasadam.Then in the evening there was wonderful kirtan by Aindra prabhu and it was just amazing and everyone offered lamps and we stayed upto 10 in the temple enjoying blissful Harinaam.
The next day was Go Puja,it was an important day for me especially when Guru Maharaj was working so hard to establish Varnasrama Dharma.After Srimad Bhagavatam class,Sri Sri Krishna Balaram were taken in a palanquin to the Goshala.There were many Sanyasis who spoke about how important is cow protection.I had to realize its importance more.Then we had a small Harinaam.I went and fed cows,and prayed to mother cow to help me serve her and help Guru Maharaj for establishing Varnasrama Dharma.It was a wonderful day and after that had a blissful time in the temple.And we had a big annakuta of Giriraja and the most ecstatic kirtan of Aindra prabhu where everyone just fell into ecstasy.And in the evenings we used to go to the temple and just sit before Sri Sri Krishna Balaram or just stare at Balarams rosy cheeks and how adorable he looked and i used to stare for hours together and he was so merciful and used to get a garland every single day and we used to be thrilled.
The next day was Govardhan parikrama a parikrama of 28 kilometers and only Smt.Radharani and Giriraj should give us blessings to complete this parikrama.We started at 6 in the morning at Radha kunda and went through Kusuma Sarovar,Manasa Ganga and the forests of Govardhan.Was wondering OH KRISHNA YOU LIFTED SUCH A HUGE HILL.And then we reached Radha Kunda at 12 in the afternoon and took a dip in Radha Kunda,where i saw a devotee falling into ecstasy...the first time in my whole life i saw this devotee.He was reciting the Radha Kunda Ashtakam.He was crying,his voice was chocked up,he couldn't sing at all.He was in the waters of Radha Kunda falling into ecstasy each time..he was crying and crying and oh Lord Hari i wondered i wanted to just stare and stare at him.I then paid him obeisances from a far off place.He was a very blessed and fortunate soul.Vaishnavas are so exalted that the dust of their Lotus Feet purifies the entire universe.Then we went to the Samadhi of Sripad Maharaj.Then we completed our parikrama and again paid dandavats and thanked the Lord for making us perform a parikrama of Giriraj.We returned to the temple,happy and was full of energy.In the evening there was a beautiful kirtan and we danced forgetting all the pain.Really the mercy of the Lord is so much.
The next day was a free day.We went to more temples like Nidhuvan,Nikunj and a few more temples.We went to Loi Bazaar to finish our shopping.I bought Gaura Nitai deities and they look so adorable and yeah Gopi dresses and chanting bags.tilak,and so much....devotees need so much of things too :) We then bought mukuts,lockets,jewelery,dresses and so much.We returned back tired and went to take prasadam.Again got an opportunity to serve devotees.Then back to the temple whole day and enjoyed blissful Harinaam till late night.Met senior devotees whom we meet only once a year.
The next day went to Nanda Gaon and Barsana.It was an ecstatic trip.Friends all came there.We went to Vrinda Kund,Caitanya Mahaprabhu's bhajan kutira,and so many places.In Barsana begged for the mercy of Smt.Radharani.Then returned back tired and happy.Whole day spent in the temple :)
The next day is the most important day,the disappearance day of Jagat Guru Srila Prabhupada,the savior who gave the whole world Krishna Consciousness.It was a wonderful day.Srila Prabhupada was brought and all his disciples and grand disciples gave so many offerings.Out of which a mataji spoke so emotionally that i began to cry and immediately the whole audience began to feel bad and many shed tears.I just want to beg her Lotus Feet and how grateful she was to Srila Prabhupada.Then there was the abhisheka ceremony of Srila Prabhupada.Everyone was so happily performing it and also we had a wonderful time and awesome kirtan.Then we all chanted many rounds.Finally we got wonderful prasadam.We were all very happy.The day was spent in Srila Prabhupada's Samadhi Mandir and i got flowers too :) and then we went to the museum where there was the best Harinaam by Aindra prabhu.There were kathas going on every single day and the whole atmosphere was so transcendental.Devotees from all over the world came to Sri Vrindavan Dham especially for this day for Srila Prabhupada and no one can ever thank him for the gift he has given us and millions of whom are getting benefited every single day.
It was the last day in Sri Vrindavan Dham.There was a Rath Yatra in Delhi,but i think it was Sri Radhe's causeless mercy and she allowed me to stay for the last day in Vrindavan Dham.It was a gloomy day because if Smt.Radharani allowed i could come even the next year.I was sad because i would be leaving Sri Vrindavan Dham.Whole day was in the temple.Dint move out of the temple because i cannot see their Lordships for a year again.And again i was sitting under the tree,when mataji asked me ''Could you come for service'' and i was like why not and again on the last day i got some wonderful service of serving.We were all happy.Met some devotees again.It was going to be 4 and i was waiting for the last darshan as we would be leaving in a few minutes and i was staring at Sri Sri Krishna Balaram for a long time.Then time came to leave.It was just an emotional hour.Few of us began to cry.Who would want to leave Sri Vrindavan Dham?The temples,the Lilas,the devotees and everything so wonderful.There is no fear in Vrindavan Dham.Paid our final obeisances to the Dham and begged that i could be called next year too.Hope Radharani is listening to this prayer of mine.
I just cannot forget and thank HG.Parama Karuna Devi Dasi mataji who gave me service every single day.Its her causless mercy.And the other devotees and my dear most god sisters who brought me to the Dham and also all the wonderful devotees.Gaura Nitai Das prabhu,and so many other devotees my heart felt thanks to everyone.It was the most blissful experience being in Sri Vrindavan Dham.It is the causeless and causeless mercy of Smt.Radharani and Shyamasundar.Krishna Balaram i miss them loads.Again back to routine life in this mundane city.Begging unto the Lotus Feet of all the Vaishnavas to bless me so that i can visit Sri Vrindavan Dham year after year.

Sri Vrindavan Dham ki Jaya!
Sri Radha Shyamasundar ki Jaya!
Srila Prabhupada ki Jaya!
All Glories to Vaishnavas!
Hari bol

A Dream...and a wish that it comes true!

Jaya Srila Prabhupada,the savior who gave the whole world the greatest gift of Krishna Consciousness,the gift to save fallen souls from the misery of repeated birth and death.
The birth of such exalted personalities is very rare and they impact they create in the lives of everyone is even more amazing and just out of comparision in this mundane material world.
These are the words by Srila BhaktiVinoda Thakura,so thought provoking:
He reasons ill who tells that Vaisnavas die
When thou are living still in sound.
The Vaisnavas die to live and living try
To spread a holy life around!
I always wondered if Srila Prabhupada was still living in this world,though his presence is always with us,but if he lived,the whole world would have turned Krishna Consciousness.It was the Lords plan to call back Prabhupada to Goloka and be with him eternally.Srila Prabhupada once mentioned,he said ''Krishna has sent me here to write all these books and do all this''.He was so humble and so exalted,beyond words of comparison.But i always wished Srila Prabhupada lived with us and guided us,and i wished to see him once,but his books keep guiding me always and that is the power of Srila Prabhupada's books.
It so happened that a few days back,i started reading the full version of Prabhupada Lilamrita by Satsvarupa Das Maharaj.Reading about such an exalted personality and his struggle for establishing Iskcon and various trials and tribulations etc so much he struggled traveling at the age of 70 to go around the world to spread Krishna Consciousness.And also was reading Prabhupada's offerings too.It inspired me so much,infact he all gave us a house in which the whole world could live in.While reading these nectar for a few days,i had a many realizations too,i wondered whether am doing anything for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada through Guru Maharaj?The previous day was a full brain storming session on how to serve my Guru Maharaj on Varnasrama Dharma.And due to all this nectar Srila Prabhupada came into my dream that night,and i loved it.
The dream was so wonderful,i always wish that dream should become the object of my vision always.In the dream there were all pure Vaishnavas, and Srila Prabhupada was at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath temple.It was mangal aarti and all were enthusiastic singing Guru Astaka,with full enthusiasm.Srila Prabhupada was just standing beside the altar,gazing at Sri Sri Radha Gopinath,and was smiling.I was just a few inches away from Prabhupada,oh God it was so heavenly.Srila Prabhupada was gazing at the deities for a long time.Then the kirtan began to take...... where all the pure devotees of the Lord were chanting and dancing in ecstacy,and Prabhupada said,sing sing,he encouraged us more and more.Then was a japa session,everyone sat down and the exalted devotee Prabhupada was chanting and we were encouraged to chant by Prabhupada himself!We finished our rounds and the whole atmosphere was sanctified and the presence of Prabhupada purified the whole atmosphere.
Then came for the Darshan aarti or when the deities are greeted.Srila Prabhupada again stood near the altar,and the Govindam prayers were played.Srila Prabhupada stood there singing.And the deities were greeted and it was so wonderful.I just cannot describe what was there.I felt so happy.Every devotee was so happy and jubilant.Then came the Srimad Bhagavatam class.Before that Srila Prabhupada sang the 'Jaya Radha Madhava' kirtan and everyone fell into ecstacy.It was so wonderful,everyone was singing and clapping their hands.Few of them were crying,some laughing,some gazing at the deities or Srila Prabhupada.I sat there looking at Srila Prabhupada.His presence was so wonderful.He was lion hearted and was very humorous and shared a lighter moment with everyone regularly.And his Lotus Feet which has to be worshipped were to be seen.It was a really wonderful sight.Then there was a solid Srimad Bhagavatam class,describing the power of the holy names.It was just so wonderful.Srila Prabhupada never feared to call anyone a RASCAL :) He was a fearless preacher and spoke his heart out.His magnanimity is beyond comparison.Then after the class,i got a chance to meet Srila Prabhupada and still cannot believe this.Then Srila Prabhupada was served prasadam.He then called everyone and gave us all sweets.It was a wonderful sight.And then the day continued where he called everyone and gave advice on various matters and also he was like a father and took care of each one of them.He did not see if we were a man or a woman,he eternally saw us as spirit souls who are trying to serve Krishna.
Then it continued,the temple glowed like anything that day.It was like Goloka,every where there was discussion of Hari Katha,nothing mundane or prajalpa.Sadly it was morning and i had to wake up and the dream ended then and there.I wished this was true.I hate this mundane material world which is filled with miseries,selfish people and so many other unwanted things.I woke up and started chanting my rounds and relished every moment reminding myself of the dream and enjoying the wonderful dream.
I wish that this dream would come true.It was so so wonderful and so marvelous that am just out of words.All i can do is pray to Srila Prabhupada for his mercy and blessings that i be of service to Guru and Gauranga always.

Love you always Srila Prabhupada!
I thank you whole heartedly for the gift you have given to all of us which is just out of comparison and this fallen soul cannot speak about Your most wonderful glories.

Your insignificant grand daughter always!

Sankirtan

“I shall personally inaugurate the religion of the age—nama-sankirtana, the congregational chanting of the holy name. I shall make the world dance in ecstasy, realizing the four mellows of loving devotional service.” - Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Caitanya Caritamrita Ädi 3.19

Have you ever felt like dancing to the tunes of:
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare?

What does this most blissful word Sankirtan mean?Read more :

It needs to be experienced once and its taste is so sweet that we can never forget it.Its so sweet,sweeter than the sweetest :) And the devotees who love Harinaam are the best because Lord Gauranga himself propagated the Sankirtan movement.If the Lord himself propagated it than imagine how wonderful it is. I know a few devotees who do Harinaam whole day and they love every moment of it.They want more and more Harinaams though they do it every single day.They sing for hours and hours altogether,making all the people listen to the Holy names of the Lord which gives them the greatest benefit.Lord Gauranga and his associates will be very very pleased with these Sankirtan devotees who dedicate their life and soul to Harinaam.That is the glories of Harinaam and the devotees whose life is dedicated to Harinaam.

In Paris on July 20, 1972 Srila Prabhupada’s first words of address were as follows: “Sankirtana movement. This sankirtana movement was started by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu five hundred years ago for mitigating the sufferings of the people of the world. He predicted that in every village, in every town on the surface of the globe, let this sankirtana movement be spread out and people will be happy and they’ll find Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

And one most wonderful quality is that who loves Harinaam love Lord Gauranga with their heart and soul. When we chant and dance the holy name,Lord Gauranga also is with us eternally guiding us and he is so pleased.
This was my most blissful experience at Sri Jagannath Puri Dham and with a Sankirtan party in which devotees danced like mad elephants.On the Rath Yatra day i and two more devotees walked early to the road where the Rath Yatra was to be pulled.It was so early and there were not many devotees in the early morning.Then there were devotees flocking and the crowd became so huge with 9 lakh people from all over the world.It was 1 in the afternoon and we were tired walking since morning and without any prasadam.We just wanted to take some rest and we went out for sometime and later at time i saw a huge banner of Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.I wondered what was going on there.It was a Sankirtan party :) It was Iskcon Sankirtan party with devotees all over the world.The devotees there mostly in saffron would be less than 25 years.I was just amazed at their commitment and sincerity at such an young age.They began the Harinaam and they began to dance and they danced and shouted blissfully singing the Holy names of the Lord. The devotees were mad in ecstacy and they danced and danced and shouted and looked so happy.This happiness is totally out of this mundane material world.It is happiness which we experience when we sing the glories of the Holy names of the Lord.It started like this and we started dancing too.Lord Gauranga is there wherever a Sankirtan party is going on.And the tunes were so wonderful that we danced and danced.Then the Rath Yatra started and the huge gongs and other instruments signaled.I held a banner of Lord Caitanya and it was very heavy :) but i could hold it for some time.Thanks for the mercy of the kind devotee.Then the crowds became so intense and it was like so jam packed.Lord Jagannath called us mercifully.Then we went away for a while so that the crowds become less but it became more and more crowded :) Later we saw the Sankirtan party again.And the same devotees were dancing like mad elephants for so long and it just amazed me like anything i have never seen something like this before.The kind brahmacaris encouraged us to dance and we danced again and tried to dance like them but seriously couldn't it was so tough....but they loved every moment of it.The saffron clothes were wet and soaked and still they dint stop they jumped and jumped in ecstacy.
Then all the devotees all over the world joined our party and they lived so simply and they were so contended always and smiled and were so happy.They were very kind and we danced with them shouting the holy names of the Lord.Then a Sanyasi assisted us and he sang with us and we jumped and danced like anything.He encouraged us more and more.We were dancing in the Dham during the Rath Yatra with Lord Caitanya guiding us and also before Lord Jagannath was so blissful.It was just out of this world.Truly blissful.It was 7 in the night and still everyone was so enthusiastic and so happy.Then the Rath of Lord Jagannath came to a still.And it was so amazing i just have no words and everyone was so happy.And there were 2 devotees.One who carried Gaura Nitai on his head.I pay my most humble obeisances unto his Lotus Feet for he was so dedicated to Gaura Nitai.He made Gaura Nitai also dance with us and the deities swung to and forth.It was like Lord Gauranga was with us.The other devotee carried Lord Jagannath,Baladev and Subhadra Mayi on his head.They were so dedicated.They danced like anything,truly out of this world.
I can just keep writing and writing,for this Harinaam Sankirtan is the best.Harer namaiva kevalam :) and not only me thousands of devotees who experience pure bliss when Harinaam is going on.It can only be experienced. This is purely transcendental which mundane materialists cannot understand.There are so many devotees who have experienced,been experiencing and tasting the nectarian Holy names of the Lord.It is just awesome.I wish and pray that i will get some taste for Harinaam like those devotees whose life and soul is dedicated to Harinaam Sankirtan which was started by Gauranga himself.Experience the bliss of Harinaam today and forever and enter Lord Caitanya's Sankirtan party.

Harinaam Sankirtan Ki Jai!
Harinaam Premi's ki Jai :)
Jai Nitai Gaura Premanande!
Hari Hari bol!

This is dedicated to the most sincere souls who love Harinaam with their life and soul and experience bliss each time and love Gaura Nitai will all their heart!!!!!

Bliss!

SRI GURU GAURANGA JAYATAH!

çré-guru-caraëa-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma,
bando mui sävadhäna mate
jähära prasäde bhäi, e bhava toriyä jäi,
kåñëa-präpti hoy jähä ha'te
1) The lotus feet of our spiritual master are the only way by which we can attain pure devotional service. I bow to his lotus feet with great awe and reverence. By his grace one can cross the ocean of material suffering and obtain the mercy of Kåñëa.
(2)
guru-mukha-padma-väkya, cittete koriyä aikya,
är nä koriho mane äçä
çré-guru-caraëe rati, ei se uttama-gati,
je prasäde püre sarva äçä
2) My only wish is to have my consciousness purified by the words emanating from his lotus mouth. Attachment to his lotus feet is the perfection that fulfills all desires.
(3)
cakhu-dän dilo jei, janme janme prabhu sei,
divya jïän håde prokäçito
prema-bhakti jähä hoite, avidyä vinäça jäte,
vede gäy jähära carito
3) He opens my darkened eyes and fills my heart with transcendental knowledge. He is my Lord birth after birth. From him ecstatic prema emanates; by him ignorance is destroyed. The Vedic scriptures sing of his character.
(4)
çré-guru karuëä-sindhu, adhama janära bandhu,
lokanäth lokera jévana
hä hä prabhu koro doyä, deho more pada-chäyä,
ebe jaça ghuñuk tribhuvana
4) Our spiritual master is the ocean of mercy, the friend of the poor, and the lord and master of the devotees. O master! Be merciful unto me. Give me the shade of your lotus feet. Your fame is spread all over the three worlds.

How many times we must have sung this kirtan during darshan aarti?How many of us really realize the importance and the meaning of this song?How many of us fall into a trance listening or singing to this song?How many of us glorify our Guru Maharaj like this?How many of us really think of Guru as our savior who has come to save fallen souls like me from this material existence of repeated birth and death?How many of us think he is an ocean of mercy?How many of us really think that the Lotus Feet of our Guru Maharaj should be our life and soul?How many of us actually think that being with our Guru Maharaj actually gives us strength and how many of us actually think that only by serving him with our life and soul we can attain the Lotus Feet of Nityananda and Gaurahari and Radha Krishna!

Well these thoughts ponder us over and over.Guru is an ocean of mercy.He should or never can be thought as an ordinary man!Well this time i just wanted to share my experiences during Janmastami celebrations when we had our most merciful Guru Maharaj here for the celebrations.Always hearing our Guru Maharaj arriving to the temple is great news because our dear most Guru Maharaj will be here with us personally guide us and give us instructions.Have you ever realized that when your Guru Maharaj was beside you guiding you...don t you feel like a strong divine force beside you..guiding you.Its a very divine feeling and experience which i have experienced.
The day before Janmastami celebrations is a very busy day...busy day preparing for the appearance of Lord Krishna making garlands and making other things ready.And my Guru Maharaj had also arrived and we all welcomed Gurudeva.Everyone was very happy to see Guru Maharaj.It was bliss.Then we had services till late in the night and we left.Next day is the most awaited day the birthday of Lord Krishna...the day which is awaited whole the year.We came for Mangal Aarti and couldn't imagine the causeless mercy of our Guru Maharaj who led the Kirtan.In the dawn and with your spiritual master leading the Kirtan and all other assembled Vaishanvas just so blissful.And everyone dancing to the tunes of the Harinaam and jumping and laughing...and then everyone is seated to chant and complete their rounds of Japa.Well we wish to chant and chant on this day to receive the causeless mercy of Lord Krishna!Then chanted our rounds with attention and full concentration to grab the Lords attention :) Then came Darshan Aarti where the Lords are greeted with full enthusiasm.And everyone eagerly waiting when the curtains will get opened.Then slowly the curtain is opened with the greeting of Govindam Adipurusham prayers.And Radha Gopinath,Jagannath,Baladev,Subhadra Devi,Giriraj,Narshinga Dev and Tulsi Maharani sport a beautiful blue dress which looks so beautiful and the Lord is the smiling on this birthday :) They looked so beautiful and so wonderful and so joyful.And again causeless mercy when Guru Maharaj led the Guru Puja where Guru is glorified and who is an ocean of mercy.Then all devotees flock to see the Lord.And then there is Srimad Bhagavatam class.Guru Maharaj speaks on the glories of the most auspicious day and before that the most blissful kirtan of Jaya Radha Madhava...nobody sings like Guru deva...he has a very unique style...and we just feel like listening more and more...and Hari Hari it was so blissful...so enthusiastic singers :)
A small sharing of the lecture...the excerpt :
''Devotees who always lick the honey from the lotus feet of Lord Kåñëa do not care at all for material activities, which are performed under the three modes of material nature and which bring only misery. Indeed, devotees never give up the lotus feet of Kåñëa to return to material activities. Others, however, who are addicted to Vedic rituals because they have neglected the service of the Lord's lotus feet and are enchanted by lusty desires, sometimes perform acts of atonement. Nevertheless, being incompletely purified, they return to sinful activities again and again''.
Well this verse has an elaborate purport by His Divine Grace.Srila Prabhupada.Guru Maharaj constantly stressed on the importance of devotional service to the Lord and his devotees.It mainly emphasized how we have to advance and by purifying us we wont have attraction for material desires.This is only possible due to the causeless mercy of Guru Maharaj.And many more important points were stressed and as well Guru Maharaj was very pleased with the arrangements that were done for the Lords birthday.And then each one was alloted his/her services which everyone were enthusiastic in performing.After sometime...went to see the Lord beautiful face...which is glorified so much in the Puranas as well as scriptures.Then by the causeless mercy of a devotee...went...to meet Guru Maharaj.It is a very blissful experience meeting your Guru Maharaj.I have no words to express..as well was very very happy.Guru Maharaj gaves various points on Varnasrama Dharma.And i am very happy to serve my Guru Maharaj in some minute way on his mission of serving Srila Prabhupada.We had a wonderful time and we spoke for a long time with other devotees who were involved with the Varnasrama project.As it was Janmastami everyone was busy and Guru Maharaj's causeless mercy and he asked us to come back on Srila Prabhupada's Vyasa Puja day.The meeting was ever blissful...wished i remain with Guru Maharaj surrendering my life and soul to him.Those hours passed on really quickly.Wished it was more longer :) But i was really happy that i received the mercy of Guru Deva.Then back to services.I was given the service of serving prasadam.Srila Prabhupada always emphasized on serving prasadam.Srila Prabhupada always mentioned that serving prasadam was the highest service.So i was very enthusiastic in serving Vaishnavas and other devotees.This continued till the midnight.This day is a day of rejoicing and it is a day when people and devotees from everywhere come to see the Lord.Darshans were open whole day and the crowds dint stop.And the evening everyone were back refreshed to enjoy the various cultural programmes arranged for everyone.Many devotees as well as the local crowd were present.Guru Maharaj again sang Jaya Radha Madhava :) and i love his style and also there was a lecture addressing the importance of Varnasrama Dharma as well as the importance of mother cow and her products.Lord Krishna is called as the ''Lover of the Cows''. There were many dances,skits and of course blissful Kirtan.Then for the most most important part and the highlight of the day...the Abhishekam and the Aarti of the Lord.And then our Guru Maharaj's god brother and Srila Prabhupadas disciple HG.Anand Maya Prabhu graced the occasion.I just sat there when the dances were going on...and just kept gazing at Guru Maharaj.How the Lord sent Gurudev to deliver fallen souls like me.Looking at him gave a very blissful and wonderful feeling.My chanting became better and better thinking about Guru Maharaj and tried to chant 80 rounds.While looking at Guru Maharaj many thoughts flocked in my mind...like why cant i serve him whole his life and make his words my life and soul.Is surrendering to him so difficult?He is an ocean of mercy and also...so mercifully smiling and looking at the dances and other devotees.He is just pleased with even little menial service rendered to him.That is the quality of a highly exaulted Vaishnava who is not from this material world but from Vaikunta who was sent by the Lord to deliver us.Still gazing at Guru Maharaj gave me wonderful thoughts and realizations which will be cherished for a life time.Such memories never ever fade away.Then came an end to the cultural programmes and then came for the most important part of Abhishekam of the Lord when it is actually the time of birth.The Lord is brought in a palanquin like a King and of course it the Lords birthday...and there is a shower of rain and the blissful Harinaam going on...this is so blissful and wonderful.Then the Lord is changed to the abhishekam dress and first Guru Maharaj perfoms the Abhishek ceremony with milk,curd,ghee,juices and others.Then various devotees bath the Lord and blissful Harinaam is led.Guru Maharaj sits on his Vyasasan and watches the Abhishekam ceremony.He smiles now and then,looking at the Lord.The Lords pure devotees experience pure bliss by looking at these wonderful ceremonies.And i was of course looking at Guru Maharaj...i don't know my eyes get drawn to Guru Maharaj always.Looking at all this i smile too and all prabhujis were fanning him.I wondered wish i was born a prabhuji when i could serve Guru Maharaj :)And it is said during the Abhishek ceremony...the Lord is very pleased and after that he grants genuine desires.I only prayed that my Guru Maharaj is always healthy and all his disciples be true to Guru and Gauranga always.Then the Abhishek ceremony is over and then comes the dressing up of the Lord.He is dressed up and yes...put on a swing.And he looked so so so beautiful with his eternal consort Radharani.Also various dishes were placed to offer him foodstuffs.As well Guru Maharaj came up to perform the Aarti and Sri Sri Radha Gopinath were swung gently.Wow i had no words to express.And then everyone sang the Yugala Aarti which had a really deep meaning.And of course...we all danced to the tunes of blissful Harinaam.And then we all awaited for Mahaprasadam :) and had Caranamrit of the Lord...the nectar of the Lotus Feet of the Lord.And all were enthusiastic and still happy.
The next day is a very very important day for the whole Iskcon world.The Vyasa Puja of Srila Prabhupada, a very highly elevated devotee who gifted the whole world the most nectarian Krishna Consciousness.This movement is in the foot steps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who came to save the fallen souls of Kaliyuga and take everyone back,back to Godhead.And it started again with the Abhishekam of Srila Prabhupada.We were all in the kitchen making arrangements for the abhishekam and also offerings for Srila Prabhupada!Then Guru Maharaj spoke about his times with Srila Prabhupada.A small excerpt :
My Guru Maharaj as i heard was the chief cook when Srila Prabhupada and Prabhupada appreciated Guru Maharajs cooking and Guru Maharaj said it was the most cherished moment with Srila Prabhupada and also cited many more experiences.
Guru Maharaj also said EVERYDAY IS A FESTIVAL IN KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS.EVERYDAY THE FESTIVAL BEGINS AT MANGAL AARTI :) So this was a point to be really thought of and how important mangal Aarti to us is.Wish everyone attends Mangal Aarti.It is a wonderful time of the day when there are no disturbances and the mind is calm and peaceful and can chant our rounds with attention.
Then HG.Anand Maya prabhu spoke of his experiences with Srila Prabhupada.And also read the offering of HH.Giriraj Maharaj,whose offering brought tears to our eyes.It was written so beautifully with so much of love and affection and with so much of humility and SURRENDER.Then came the pushpanjali of Srila Prabhupada!Then came the most blissful Harinaam led by Guru Maharaj.The whole temple was purified by his chanting.And everyone danced and danced to the tunes of the Mahamantra as well raised their hands.It looked like the Sankirtan of Lord Nityananda and Caitanya who looked so beautiful with their raised hands.And this continued and everyone danced and danced.Then Guru Maharaj was so happy and all of us experienced such bliss.It was like a divine presence guiding us and i cannot express it in words.Then we all had Mahaprasadam.Then again came another session with Guru Maharaj.This was so blissfu.We spoke for nearly three hours.And took instructions and guidance from Guru Maharaj.Again gazed and gazed at Gurudeva.His presence was so wonderful and so blissful.Then returned home with a happy heart.Wish life was like this always being with Guru Maharaj,taking his instructions and making his instructions and making his words our life and soul.Also the next day got the mercy of meeting Guru Maharaj.Maharaj stressed on the importance of preaching and asked everyone of us to help preaching.And also he laughed and joked with us.This gave us immense happiness.
These days with Gurudeva will be cherished forever in my heart.It was the causeless mercy of a devotee who asked me to come and meet Guru Maharaj.As well the causeless mercy of Srila Guru Deva who mercifully spoke to us...this fallen soul...laughed and joked and spoke well which filled my heart with immense happiness.This happiness cannot be felt.....it can only be experienced.I humbly fall at the Lotus Feet of my Guru Deva who has showered his causeless mercy on this most fallen soul.I hope to serve my Gurudeva with my life and soul always and his words should always be strung around my neck and it should be remembered always.I can just pray saying this verse:
ohe!
vaiñëaba öhäkura, doyära sägara,
e däse koruëä kori'
diyä pada-chäyä, çodho he ämäya,
tomära caraëa dhori
O venerable Vaiñëava, O ocean of mercy, be merciful unto your servant. Give me the shade of your lotus feet and purify me. I hold on to your lotus feet.

ekäké ämära, nähi päya bala,
hari-näma-saìkértane
tumi kåpä kori', çraddhä-bindu diyä,
deho' kåñëa-näma-dhane
I do not find the strength to carry on alone the saìkértana of the holy name of Hari. Please bless me by giving me just one drop of faith with which to obtain the great treasure of the holy name of Kåñëa.

Jaya Srila Gurudeva!
HH.Bhakti Raghava Maharaj ki Jaya!
Nitai Gaura Hari Hari Bol!

A small example of tolerance and humility!

Nitai and Gaurahari's Dasi always!
trinad api sunicena
taror api sahisuna
amanina manadena
kirtaneya sada harih
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
[Sri Siksastaka Prayer 3 by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu!]

We always think...we should be humble and tolerant but i am not sure how many are.I am not humble nor tolerant..but this experience reminded me many things...on how we should be and how we can be humble and tolerant.Hopefully...by Vaishnavas blessings and mercy...i will change for the better.
This incident happened when i went to Sri Vrindavan Dham during Kartik month.We took a rickshaw and were on the way to Sri Bankey Bihari Mandir.We were all very excited to go to the temple...and it being my first time i was even more excited.On the way...the rickshaw was moving a bit faster and then had to stop because there was some traffic.Then by mistake the rickshaw just touched a scooter...well it just touched and then the scooter man got so angry and started howling at the rickshaw puller.Then the scooter man got down and started slapping the rickshaw puller and used abusive words.Still the rickshaw puller did not speak a word.He was smiling and was so so humble and tolerant and he said Radhe Radhe.And guess the scooter man was still abusing him and this man was so tolerant.
Now imagine...most of us if we were placed in this situation,would have surely abused the man back or even got into a fight.All our anger and frustration we would vent on him and curse him etc.But before we do...don't you think we have to remember this rickshaw puller and his humility and tolerance?Do we have to learn something from him?
Yes,of course....Lord Nityananda and Gaurahari sees the heart of a person...not his material knowledge or his wealth.He sees how tolerant he is and how patient and humble he is.When Gaurahari sees such a person,he immediately gives him the highest benediction of Gaura Prema...and thus we attain perfection of life...what else do we need?And of course Nitai and Gaurahari distributed Prema to everyone regardless of his position,beauty etc...Gaurasundara just made him his Dasa :) what mercy :)
We can now imagine...of course he was a Vraj Wasi....born in the most holy tirtha Sri Vrindavan Dham...and thus Sri Radhe eternally resides in his heart.So we must imagine how much of Bhakti or love he must have for Sri Radhe that he is so patient and so humble and so tolerant?Why cant we be like him.We should never underestimate a person.A person may be materially poor, but he has the greatest gift of life of Gaura Nitai Prema which will automatically make us approach Sri Radha and Krishna!So we must realize that this material education and wealth is just useless before the love of God[this is due to my past experience with persons who are proud of their knowledge,wealth and beauty]. Also we should be engaged in the devotional service to Sri Gaurahari always...otherwise...taking birth is useless if we do not serve Gaura Nitai.
Well yes,this incident taught me a lot.I still remember the rickshaw puller,not the scooter man[i was angry with him for slapping the rickshaw puller] and yes...now this reminds me that i should be like the rickshaw puller in humility and tolerance and not like the scooter man :)
And also i pray at the Lotus Feet of that Braj Wasi that i become humble and tolerant like him and then only i can chant the holy names of the Lord.I seek his blessings though i don t think he remembers me or not.Well is not the question of rememberance or not it is the question of how humble and patient you are.

Jai Radhe Shyam!
Jai Vrindavan Dham!
Jai Rickshaw puller :) and all glories goes to him!
Nitai Gaura Hari Bol!

REVEALING ABOUT OUR TRUE AND MOST SWEETEST FRIEND!!!

Well,sorry for the delay....in revealing our friend...well...i was so busy in the past week..well due to my material conditioning i just could not write anything about our dear most friend.Well our friend kept reminding me..Preethi reveal the secret soon...reveal the secret soon...but sadly even i dint listen to my friend...but he is so so merciful...that i am writing it finally....phew!Thanks friend for showering your causeless mercy.
Well our friend took incarnation to save us...is it wow...we may all exclaim but it is true.A friend taking an incarnation just to save us....is just out of words...imagine will your very close friend...do anything like this...well its impossible for persons like us...but for our friend everything is possible...and he took an incarnation only for us...to save us..from???But we are just wasting our most precious lives....doing unwanted things...enjoying and doing things which gives us temporary happiness...in the previous blog itself i mentioned....partying etc..and doing other unnecessary things...but we haven't realized that all this is really temporary...what is happiness...what does one do to get happy...let me answer in a gist...everyone is in search of something....well we do things which we think.....something which will make us happy...not us..but our soul happy...our food for our body is what we eat.....whats that...oh yeah...going out on the road...eating something tasty....and enjoying....shelling out money from your pocket..well we enjoy for sometime...well thats temporary too...everyone feels the same...well...we gotta change...learn something which will make us realize what is all this..and also...what is the difference...between temporary and permanent happiness....and guess what...what am going to reveal to you...is permanent happiness...well if you don't get permanent happiness...you can always come and contact me.The truth about our friend is so blissful and wonderful...if we taste it once...we yearn for it more and more....and the more we yearn for it....the more we love him...and the more we love him...he will love you in a thousand fold...wow...thats wonderful.And follows is the food for the soul :O
Well before all this...i just want to you to experience this sweetness and let me know.Its truly blissful...its not an ordinary sweet....like rasagolla :P whose taste will leave your tongue after 10 minutes...of consuming it...it is so sweet...that it will linger and linger...of course...how much you are absorbed in it....and taste it.Take an example of sugarcane...the more you chew it..the more juice comes out...and the more sweet...it is.It is truly sublime and it is practically proved...and not only experienced by us...but now by thousands and thousands of people all over the world.
Well let me give a small gist of why our friend came to this world...with his other pure and true friends or associates....as i already mentioned...to save us...ok...you can ask me...save us from what...where...when....how...am sure you will get thoughts like this....but i have a reply...this can either change you...hopefully....or you may remain the same...well...it all depends on what and how you take it.This sweet and most merciful friend incarnated to save us all living souls...and give us permanent happiness and did you ever realize...or been told that we are here in this human form of life...the most wonderful form of life..it is wonderful because we can do things on our own...not like animals who cannot think...for they have not been given the intelligence...which we have been given to understand the science and the purpose of this life...and we have to be happy...at the same time...be really unhappy...seeing this world in this condition...killing,murder,kidnappings,wars,blood shed,calamities are showing their worst...like tsunamis and earth quakes,etc.All we see and hear in the news is someone is killed...or there is a bomb blast somewhere....thousands of innocent people are killed....their so called wonderful life...their dreams aspirations are all shattered.How will their family members feel...when they lose someone...its terrible...actually...but we all gotta remember...this is all according to the laws of nature...everything happens to the Lord's will.
Hmm everyone wants to remain immortal and youthful...youthful...yes...there are thousands of creams in the market...which will make you look young...oops...i wont be mentioning the brands here....but just applying..may make you look really young and fair....just imagine 20 years from now...where is that beauty,that luster on your face gone...what is the use of the creams....who can stop birth,death,old age and disease.But death...is anyone able to stop death...who knows the next minute..there is danger....danger in every step...no one can escape the cycle of birth and death...everyone has to suffer in this world...according to his past deeds.I have one more quote by Srila Prabhupada before i write further ''This material body is like a machine, but within the heart is the soul, and with the soul is the Supersoul, Krsna, who gives directions. The Lord says, "You wanted to do this; now here is the chance. Go and do it." If you are sincere, you say, "Now, God, I want You." Then He will give you directions. "Yes, now you come and get Me like this."
This whole confused world is just like a blazing forest fire. In a forest fire all the animals are confused. They do not know where to go to save their lives. In the blazing fire of the material world, everyone is confused. How can that blazing forest fire be extinguished? It is not possible to utilize your man-made fire brigade, nor is it possible to simply pour buckets of water. The solution comes when rain from the clouds falls on the forest fire. Only then can the fire be extinguished. That ability is not in your hands, but is in the mercy of God. So, human society is in a confused state, and it cannot find a solution....so the only suggestion is take the shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu who is Lord Krishna himself and who has incarnated to deliver fallen souls.,,,he initiated the chanting of the holy names of the Lord...in this Kali Yuga...the age of quarrel and hypocrisy.There is a wonderful verse....In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy...the chanting of the holy names of the Lord is the only solution...there is no other way no other way....you may...ask me...who told you this....this is proved in the scriptures....please contact any Vaishanava for proof...they will surely give...:).The Lord is so merciful that he taught the Love of God to everyone...well maybe we are separating everyone into various castes...calling him...or saying...he is a brahmin...or he is a sudra....the Lord mercifully....gave this..Prema...to everyone...and elevated the most degraded person to the highest platform of a Vaishanva....that is the causeless mercy of the Lord.Here is a wonderful quote"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, influenced by the merciful devotees' attempt to deliver fallen souls, enlightens the people in general from within by His causeless mercy."So there is so much...so much..evidence about our dear most Lord.He chanted the holy names in real ecstacy...cried,trembled,perspired,falls and rolls on the ground.....the Lord himself...if he hears anyone chanting to these holy names...he immediately gets pleased...and showers his mercy on him....and gives him everything.So once...if once...we try to chant the holy name...which is the most blissful....we get so attracted to the names...and by constant chanting of the holy names...we get love for Krishna.This life is practically useless...we are like animals...here Srila Prabhupada often used this quote....animals sleep..we also sleep...animals eat...we also eat...animals...defend themselves..we also do that...animals mate...we also do it....but wait there is one difference...but one thing we differ is God has given us intelligence and the poor animals differ from that....and we should use this intelligence.....to learn the science of God...but what are we using this for...temporary enjoyment.

A small test...just go to Krishna temple and observe him from his Lotus Feet to his most beautiful face...and those lovely Lotus Petal like eyes..wow......it is so so beautiful...tell me who wont attracted to such beauty...even Cupid is ashamed before the Lords beauty.....our such a dear friend is giving us a chance...one last chance to receive permanent happiness and it is our chance to use this...you know what benefit we will get....its a offer...not like your Big bazaar or food world offer...if you chant his holy names and love him....and serve him...and if he is pleased...he will give us the greatest gift....he will take you home...back to Godhead....which is our eternal home.This world is temporary and full of miseries.If we make proper advancement....we will go back to Godhead...and never return here...Godhead...there is only happiness there...no worries...no sorrows...no enemity....nothing...all around is happiness.happiness..and only happiness...guess in the company of the most beautiful Lord we will live....serving him always...there will be all opulences there...so i wont be going into philosophy now...you must experience and understand.Also know that the Lord has mercifully and freely distributed it all over....so its our chance...better now or never...so friends...this is the little secret i could reveal it to you today....well i dint want to go into deep philosophy and confuse you...i just gave a brief idea....this idea...i hope...is sure enough to help you...in a really minute manner....here is another one....''Krsna places before you''. See Krsna behind these obstacles asking, "What's important to you? Do you want Me or do you want something else?" See it as a chance to increase your determination and take another step towards Krsna.Think of it friends....think of it...realize...how is your life..and dont search for happiness anywhere...it is with you...the Lord is within you...he is within everyone...he is the Super soul residing in everybody's heart....only thing is we have forgotten him for a really long time...just awaken yourself...and realize the most important thing of life....

Well last before i conclude...i have one small verse...“Krsna will guide you. Krsna is within yourself, and He can speak to you. You can hear Him also, provided you are fully surrendered.”Realizations are Krsna’s special gifts to us, gems of wisdom personally delivered for our individual spiritual progress. What a good friend He is!

Yes i agree...what a good and true friend he is.Cannot rely upon anybody except him!!!

Well this blog is meant for everyone...not specifying anyone...so please forgive me if i committed any offense...and yes...please bless me so that I KEEP LOVING MY GOOD AND SWEETEST FRIEND AND KEEP SERVING HIM AND HIS ASSOCIATES ETERNALLY!!!!

Please Chant:
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE,
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE......
and be happy always.

Think once!!!

What do you think of this picture....what comes to your mind as soon as you see this...well this material world is like this....read on...for solutions.....


I often thought....why are we here....in this world...people say...we are here for a purpose...and some say...we have got a life..enjoy it...work hard party harder....this is a constant phrase i come across always.Imagine you are left alone...all alone....do you think...am sure everyone will...why have we come here....yes...we will remember our past....what we did...how we hurt others... and of course got hurt by so many persons.....spoke ill of so many people...made someone happy...these all comes to our mind...some may remember how they spent time with their friends...and the other silly things that we did...it surely brings a smile to ones face...but did anyone realize this is all temporary happiness?Just thinking of all this will surely bring a smile to your face...but did you ever think that this smile lasted forever?Imagine you came out of the room in which you were closed for so long the next minute...your mother shouts...finish your lunch or dinner...and you felt like going to your friends house...and you get frustrated..and then again your sister or brother just asks you some question and you are again angry...and you cannot bear it anymore and you start shouting...you just feel like being left alone...then you go to your friends place for a change...and there she is frustrated with something and shows the anger on you...and you are depressed again...what to do...everyone has faced a similar situation someday...but here i have a reply...how can this change your life...it all depends on you....
Whom can you turn on..guess..keep guessing...a true friend who will never ditch you or hurt you...such a friend wow impossible to get...but i will keep describing....he loves you so much...more than your mom does..amazing....is it...then he cares so much for you...so much..wow.....and then he gives you everything..provides you everything...thinks good for you all the time...does everything which is good for you...imagine did any friend do this for you..care so much for you like this?Had past experiences of friends ditching you...or not cared for you...then wait....this is surely for you.....do you still want to know about that wonderful friend....who does so much for you....well i will reveal it to you....but promise that you will do a small favor.....yes yes....always love that friend and rely on him for everything.....love him so much so much....and guess if you love him a bit...he will love you a thousand times more than that...imagine you do something for him...he will give it back a thousand times...woah woah really.....everyone inquisitive to find about that wonderful friend....a friend whom you can share all your joys and sorrows and guess...shall i tell you....you can just tell him all your secrets...and guess he will keep it within himself...without letting anyone know...shhh.....don't tell this to anyone...its a top most secret...which i will be revealing it to you.Make sure you keep this in mind and promise to....do whatever i have told you...love him with all your heart and soul...and he will be so so so happy....are you ready....
Should i reveal...another secret....about our friend...he came to save us....surprised?Yes he came to this world teach us how to love...surprised???????Love whom....will let you know....and you will be the happiest person of the whole Universe loving that wonderful friend....and guess what you will regret surely that why you dint search for this happiness before....well its now or never....so be ready friends....and promise me that....you will also try to share this secret with everyone...this is the greatest gift...my friend oops our friend told me...if i share this secret with everyone...it will be the greatest gift ever....:) wow....ever imagined...i always thought that gifting a friend something big....and nice...was something great....and made someone but guess our friend told me...if you gift this...this is the greatest gift to mankind...still wondering....a bit of patience...:) Seeya soon

Next post:Revealing about our friend :)Be ready friends!!!!:P

Sri Vrindavan Dhama

Sri Sri Radha Shyamasundar ki Jaya!
Jaya Radhe Shyama!
Jaya Vrindavan Dham!

This time I wanted to write my experience at the holy dham Vrindavan.

The journey began on 20th of November during the special Kartik month or Damodar month. We got into the train at Secunderabad .All devotees assembled on the train; we were in a very happy mood. The train was very crowded but we did not mind the mere thinking of Vrindavan Dham made us happy. We finished our chanting rounds very quickly on the train and we did many extra rounds too. Then it was breakfast time and we had a wonderful feast for breakfast…..paranthas and subjis from bread to snacks really yummy..Krsna prasadam is really really marvellous and wonderful. Then after breakfast we took a Vrindavan leela book and we began reading the past times of Radharani and Krishna. Time just passed by then we began book distribution on the train which was so much fun. We told everyone the importance of these books and we had a nice time distributing. Though not many books were sold we were happy and satisfied . Then others chanted for some time, few read books and few took some rest. We a group of our age went around and played i.e. there were quizzes to test our knowledge on the Supreme Lord and his pastimes and we tried our hand at different things. We were mostly reading books on the train to enhance our knowledge. The prabhujis had bought many books for book distribution and we took the chance of reading many books. Then in the evening we had snacks and juices and later at 7.00 it was our favorite time yes its Kirtan time my favorite and everyone’s favorite time. We had Gaura Aarti in the train all the devotees assembled for Kirtan and we had a blast awesome Kirtan we had the pictures of deities in the temple and we bought Karatalas and a few instruments too and we sang Damodar Ashtakam too and showed torch lights instead of lamps but we cannot help. Then we had Mahaprashadam and then came dinner time again. Had prashadam again though a light meal it was filling. Then it was late we all watched a few videos of installation of Panca Tattava deities in Mayapur on the laptop of a prabhuji and later slept in the night.

The next day was exciting we hardly slept we got up at 3 in the morning in the train and washed our faces and started chanting and all were sleeping on the train so we did our chanting rounds and finished by 5.00 in the morning and then we were waiting for Matura to come. The train was one hour late and we reached Matura at about 7.00 in the morning and it was Diwali and we wished everyone. We all got down and paid our obeisance’s to the dham and there was a cow a very good sign and paid our respects to mother cow too. Then we proceeded for Vrindavan in an auto and then we reached Vrindavan .We paid our obeisance’s there too. We were waiting to go to the room. Then we went for Yamuna snanam the holy river and for purifying ourselves we went had a great time in the waters, splashed water on everyone and enjoyed. Then our first job was to go to Krishna Balram Mandir or you can call to see Radha Shyamasundar first we went to Prabhupada'

s Samadhi and paid obeisance’s and the deities were so awesome so beautiful cannot express it in words. Then we went around the temple. We went to Prabhpadas room i.e. where his books and the things which he used during his last days. Then we were sitting in the temple listening to the nectarine Kirtans. Then we were hungry then we waited for prashadam and then we were served awesome prashadam and we were full. Then we went back to our rooms and left for local temples tour we can call. Firstly we went to seva kunj or Nikunj, the holy place where Krishna and the other Gopis did Rasa Lila. The trees or the bushes in the night get converted into gopis which is seen till now. No one goes to seva kunj it is said that one who remains there at midnight that sees the Rasa Lila get mad or lose their consciousness or some people have also died it’s a belief there so no one remains there in the evening after 6.00 clock. Then we also went to Radha Madanmohan temple and Radha Govind temple and returned to Krishna Balram mandir in the evening for Gaura Aarti and lit lamps during Damodar Ashtak. Devotees from all over the world had come there and it was a wonderful sight to see so many people in Iskcon. We then left after the temple closed and had some dinner outside the temple. We then went to our rooms spoke about the day and things and the next day was Govardan puja or Go puja and later slept late in the night.

The next morning we got up at about 2.30 as we had to go for Mangal aarti in the temple and we attended it and then we went for Vrindavan parikrama on that day. It was nice walking around whole Vrindavan. We walked and went to many temples in between where Krishna fought with Kalia and then the tamarind temple which was cursed then we went to Yamuna for a dip then we went to many other temples too and Jagannath temple too. Then we rested for a while in a temple and then we proceeded back to Iskcon where there was Go puja or puja for the cows we all went to the Goshala and saw the cows and calves which were so adorable. There was a lecture about the importance and mother cow and the products from the cow and its benefits and they sold many products of mother cow and the lectures were very awesome we then went to the Goshala and we fed the cows and the calves with some feed which we had bought. Then we had prashadam there. Then we went back to the temple and stayed there. We went to the room for a change and came back in the mean while I returned to the temple to meet my adorable devotee friend Ankita and we had a wonderful time. I met her parents and her brother and I introduced her to the devotees who had come with me and we all had prashadam which was awesome. Then I spoke with my friend and then she had to leave then I bade her good bye quite sad as she couldn’t stay for long but I told her that we would meet her again and this made us happy. Then I returned to the room and we again left for local temples. We went to Bankey Bihari temple and were surprised because the altars curtain was closed for every 2 to 3 minutes and it is said that a devotee looked at the Lords eyes and disappeared and Krishna went away with her. It is said that if the Lord sees a good devotee he go away with them and this belief is still prevailing so the altars curtain is closed now and then. Then we had the chance of relishing some chat near the temple. We had cutlets, Pani Puri and lassi which were truly awesome and then we also went to a saligram temple where a stone turned into a Vigrah of Krishna we went to Radha Raman temple also and we attended Kirtan there in the temple. It was late so we returned to the temple Iskcon and could attend only Damodar Ashtak part there but we were happy at least we could do that and went back to our rooms a bit tired but happy and ready for the next day.

The next day was a major day and all the devotees were ready for Govardan Parikrama the holy hill which Lord Krishna himself had lifted it with his little finger and after attending Mangal aarti in the temple we started for Parikrama. We went by auto to Govardan Hill and then started on foot which is an austerity one has to perform in Govardan. First came Kusum Sarovar we took water and sprinkled on ourselves then dipped our chanting malas into it. Kusum Sarovar has a wonderful pastime of Krishna and Radharani, it is said that there was a great garden around the Kund and there were Lotus flowers all around it but now it is not to be seen then we went to many temples during the Parikrama and next we went to Jagannath Mandir and we had Maha Prasad there and after that we continued walking. We went to Govind Kund and there was and there was an awesome lecture there, then to Apsara Kund then we stopped by many places because we were tired of the previous day’s parikrama then we were chanting continuously then we all were resting around and we saw many cows and then the place where Krishna lifted Govardan hill we paid our obeisance’s to every place during the parikrama. Then we passed through forests and then we went to the place where small stone houses are built and if one wishes something it is fulfilled and the stone house falls down then we walked and walked then we reached Uddhava Kund and we took rest at Uddhava Kund and then proceeded towards the end of the parikrama that is the most holy Radha Kund and Shyama Kund. The past times of these Kunds are too good and it is said that one who sprinkles one drop of Radhakund water on the head gets Krishna prem. We sprinkled water and took some water in bottles for the other devotees to benefit and we bought bangles and tilak of Radhakund. Then we went to the Samadhi of Bhaktha Swarup Damodar Das and took his blessings and then we all left for Vrindavan. It was 9 in the night and it was 11 when we reached our rooms and we all were very tired and we had some dinner and slept very well on this day because we were very tired.

The next day we couldn’t go for Mangal aarti because of the previous two days parikrama. Then we went for Darshan aarti and then we were in the temple itself for a long time and then we left to see Nanda Gaun where Krishna spent his early childhood there. It was so wonderful and then we went to Barsana where the most merciful person in this universe Radha Rani was born. We bought sindoor of Radharani and then went around the place and saw beautiful place from there we left for Delhi to go to Jaipur from there we went by car to Delhi but we couldn’t go to Delhi Iskcon we did not have the time then we went to the station and we had prashadam which other devotees bought for us and then we slept very well on the train.

The next morning we reached Jaipur at 3.00 am and then we went to the railway rest room and freshened ourselves then we left for the Radha Govind temple where we had to attend Mangal aarti. It is said that the deities there have no make up i.e., no Shingar in the morning or no decoration on the face. We saw so many devotees attending Mangal aarti there it was a wonderful sight. It would be wonderful if all the devotees in all the temples attend Mangal Aarti because it is said that seeing the Aarti would directly elevate one to Vaikuntam. We waited there till Darshan aarti and had lots of ladoos there. The temple is famous for its ladoos and then we bought ladoos for our friends and relatives and it is the original deities of Radha Govind are here in Jaipur the other being in Vrindavan where the Muslims attacked the temple so the deities were shifted there to Jaipur. It is said that if one makes 108 rounds with a wish in his mind all his wishes will be fulfilled. Then we went to Caitanya Mahaprabhus temple and then we went to Radha Damodar temple and we recited Damodar Ashtakam there in the temple. Then we went to Radha Gopinath temple and had wonderful darshan in all these places and then we proceeded for Matura as we had no time there. We got into the bus and had some prashadam we got in the temple and then we all slept in the bus as we were very tired because of the hectic trip and then we reached Matura and then we caught an auto for Vrindavan and our auto stopped and we waited for three hours to get another one. Then we reached our rooms dead tired. A prabhuji was kind enough to provide us food and we ate very well and then we remembered that it was Srila Prabhupads disappearance day the next day so we all slept at 12.00 and we had to compulsory attend Mangal Aarti the next day.

The next day is the most merciful person Srila Prabhupadas disappearance day. It was a grand festival for all Iskonites. All devotees from all over the world came especially for this day. The Mangal Aarti was awesome and the song was sung by Srila Prabhupad itself i.e., only on this day in the whole year Srila Prabhupads song is played the Mangal Aarti was wonderful and we decided to stay in the temple the whole day, the deities were awesome on that day. Then we finished chanting our rounds and waited for darshan Aarti and I met a wonderful devotee my friend Rajani and then we all waited for the Guru Puja to start. All Srila Prabhupads disciples came there and we had wonderful Kirtan and lectures. These lectures made all of us in tears and how wonderful it was. Then we left for Loi bazaar where we had to do our shopping. We bought chanting bags, incense sticks, Tulsi malas, and I and other Mataji bought deities and then we had to leave for the Abhishekam so we cut our shopping and then left and we planned to come in the evening after the Abhishekam then we were in the temple and there was awesome Kirtan going on really danced till we all dropped down. Then we had to go for Prashadam in some Ashram and we went and had wonderful prashadam and then we left to continue our shopping and again we had a chance to see Bankey Bihari temple and there we bought dresses for our deities and then we bought what all required and then we went back to the temple and then we were there for Gaura Aarti there and it was the last day of Damodar Ashtakam in Vrindavan and we felt like crying just couldn’t leave the place…but had to…was forced to. Then we went to Srila Prabhupadas room and his Samadhi and took his blessings and we waited till the temple closed and then went back and next day we had to leave for Hyderabad.

The next day we couldn’t go for Mangal Aarti because we had to pack for our journey and a few devotees went to Delhi for the Jagannath Rath Yatra but some devotees wanted to attend Darshan Aarti so we did and waited till the temple closed and then we had prashadam.We then bought some sweets and offered it to Radha Shyamasundar. Then we had heard that Narmada Maharaj had disappeared but we couldn’t go for the disappearance Puja as we had to leave for Agra to catch our train then we left. We then bought a few posters of the deities and then some gifts for friends, and reached the station and then caught the train and had Jagannath Rath Yatra Maha Prashadam and slept in the train the next day we got up only at 6.00 in the train and then we chanted our rounds but we slept the whole day in the train and then we distributed a few books on the train. Then we reached Secunderabad in the evening and we then told ourselves Hare Krishna and left to our respective homes.

I sincerely feel it is the mercy of Radharani and Shyamasundar and importantly Vrinda Devi to have called me to Vrindavan, the holiest place in the whole world you can call Universe truly Vaikuntam. I just ask great Vaishnavas to bless me so that Radharani may call me to Vrindavan and render services to Radharani and Shyamasundar eternally.

Jai Nitai Gaura Premanande...Hari Hari Bol!!!

HARE KRISHNA.

Sri Jagannath Puri Dham

Hare Krsna!
Jagannath Swami Nayana Patha gami bhavatume
Jai Jagannath,Jai Baladeva,Jai Subhadra Devi!!!
Am new to this blogger site... and is my first blog....wanted to just write about the recent trip to the Rath Yatra to Sri Jagannath Puri Dham!These wonderful experiences and miracles will surely be cherished for a lifetime...so blissful.One thing i can assure you....i learnt what is humility from a devotee who was so committed to Nitai Gauranga.I hope i will always follow...trinad api sunicena taror api sahisuna amanina mana dena kirtaneya sada harih......One should chant the holy names of the Lord in a humble state of mind....thinking himself MORE TOLERANT THAN A TREE,DEVOID OF ALL SENSE OF FALSE PRESTIGE,AND SHOULD BE READY TO OFFER ALL RESPECT TO OTHERS.IN SUCH A STATE OF MIND ONE CAN CHANT THE HOLY NAMES OF THE LORD CONSTANTLY.This is what a devotees mood should be...of course i assure...i am so proud still i just cannot get the taste for chanting the names of Gaura Hari.Also in this trip i have learnt that desires...like seeing and pulling the chariot and hugging the Lord...these intense desires if pure and genuine can surely be fulfilled by the LORD OF THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.
Let me begin now....this journey is truly special because i never even thought of entering the Dham...but i had an intense desire of being there..used to go to the temple...pray to Jagannath....hey Jagannath call me to Puri Dham..and finally this wish is fulfilled.....i only wish and pray for his mercy that i may be called there again and again..which is only possible with his permission.Hopefully Jagannath is listening to this :) .We planned out....it started with Tirupati...we wanted to go there and then a friend suggested...why not Puri?
Everyone was like sure....but we still werent sure...we made quick arrangements and finally left....on the 14th of July....there were so many devotees on the train.We had so much fun...being with devotees is like being in Goloka....we all had fun shared prasadam....we had wonderful Gaura Aarti and then chanting etc....everything was so blissful.We distributed prasadam...and guess....did a small session of food for life program.It was sheer bliss.Many devotees....shared their experiences and knowledge about the Dham....finally we slept.We got up early in the morning...couldnt do mangal aarti...less everyone on the train would kick us out of the coach.So we started chanting.It was time....we felt hungry but had nothing with us...all i could do is pray to Jagannath...and guess....devotees called us for a breakfast feast...ah truly blissful...we had so much fun...no matter what devotees surely made me cry....just for fun but i loved every minute of it.Then we were very grateful for the prasadam.Then we went back to our respective coaches and started planning what to do next....after getting down at Puri Dham...what to see etc.So then we passed by Chilka lake,one of the largest lake in India...it was too long...it just looked like a huge river....and it was good too.Finally we entered Khurda road and then travelled to Puri.
Got down at the Puri station,paid our most heart felt obeisances to the Dham.Then we parted...each one became a group...then we went to Gopinath Gaudiya Math....we met Maharaj there...the devotees there were so friendly...it was so nice...then we freshed up and we went to take prasadam.Then we went to the Puri temple...the Jagannath temple..where the Lords will be seen today...after their illness :(...so had to go twice to see the Lord...there they stood....ah this sight just blissful...truly out of this material world.They were just there...their eyes...look so beautiful....and smile...no words....ah so blissful.Then we offered something to the Lord...we saw the flag getting tied to the top of the temple....so wonderful...all were chanting...Haribol...Haribol....it was too good.Then we came out of the temple and then we were just going around...we were offered nice prasadam....it was so tasty...then we met a grahastha couple...very wonderful devotees....we went with them...first we went to Svetha Ganga...where there was a miracle...somehow i wanted to have a dip in that...but it was night time....so then i went to sprinkle water...and to dip my chanting bag into it.And lo....i just fell into the water....i thought i would disappear....and i was like remembering Lord Jagannath....all were shouting Haribol...Haribol!!....and then by the Lords grace i came out....i was so happy...all were asking am i alright...then we prayed to Saci Mata and left...to Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya's house.There we met Iskcon Chowpatty devotees.Heard the glories of Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya from the mouth of a saffron devotee and had blissful Harinaam there too...it was so wonderful.Prayed there and then we proceeded further.Then we parted with the grahastha and then we went around the Raths saw how they were arranged etc...and then took nice pictures of them and did some shopping for bags etc.Then it was late night when we reached the place.We slept..peacefully waiting for the Rath Yatra next day.
The next day got up....recited the Samsara prayers...then started early for the temple to have darshan of their Lordships....it was so crowded....stood there in the queue for 3 hours....finally the Pahaundi utsav as it is called....was so beautiful.The Lordships were brought in a blissful manner...dancing to and forth...ah too good...first the Sanka Cakra came then came Lord Baladeva,Subhadra Maharani and then finally Lord of the whole universe Jagannath.We were given a chance to touch the cushions and pillows of the Lord...they were placed on our heads....it was truly bliss when it was done...then the Lordships wonderfully proceeded towards their respective chariots.We then went forward....we were like squeezed....it was so so hot....the Lords devotees are so merciful they always help others.Water was sprinkled upon us with sprays...water was given to drink frequently....then we joined the Iskcon group and the Harinaam was so blissful....so blissful....we sang and danced...such young saffron devotees...they have dedicated their lives...ah so much of austerities they have to perform at such a young age...their zeal and enthusiasm for devotional service...it truly touched me.Till about 4 it happened and the King came and swept the carts....LOrd Jagannath is truly merciful...everyone is same in the eyes of God... and then guess...the Rath Yatra started....with hundreds of gongs in unison...all shouting Jai Jagannath Jai Baladeva and Jai Subhadra....it was just blissful.Everyone was just trying to get a chance to pull the cart....so many devotees....the crowd...we were not used to such things.But still there was so much of confusion and things...still by the Lords mercy...we joined the Sankirtan party again and danced and sang....all for the pleasure of the Lord....hey Jagannatha you are really really merciful....then the Jagannaths chariot stopped in the evening near Srila Bhakti Siddhanti Saraswati Thakurs house....and then all were like Haribol Haribol!!!Then it was late....we met so many wonderful devotees...ah truly Vaikuntam.
The next day...a devotee advised us to go and climb the Rath and hug Jagannath....i and mataji were so excited....we went got onto the chariot and hugged Jagannath....i still cannot believe....ah truly wonderful...it was too good...then prayed....for the website and who all had asked for prayers....Jagannath ji is really wonderful and very very merciful so he will surely listen to our prayers....and we got a chance by the mercy of a kind mataji to pull the Rath of Jagannath ji....we were completely satisfied...then we went half way to the Gundica temple....then we returned.Then in the afternoon we left...first we went to Lokhnath temple,Tota Gopinath,Gambhira...it was truly bliss...then we went to Narendra Sarovar....then to many other temples around.Then in the evening we went to Indradyumna tank...then to the Narshinga Dev temple...another miracle there...we were just standing inches away when the aarti was going on...it was so so so so blissful....just out of words.Actually we should be fortunate to be beside Narshinga Dev....by his mercy was there that day.Plus sang the Narshinga Aarti...ah unforgettable.....truly.Then again i and my friend we wanted to see Ksira Chora Gopinath....where the Lord himself stole Kheer for his devotee.We left for that place by train....we dint get a reservation....again Lord Jagannath was so merciful he got us a place to sleep...Love you Jaggu....i immediately offered my thanks to the Lord....and not to forget Nitai Gaurangas mercy....it was due to that.Then we reached Balasore in the early morning..we refreshed in the station..proceeded to Remuna....where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed many pastimes.It was total bliss.Then we saw the temple and the Kheer there...ah ah truly wonderful Krsna prasadam is truly....no words to express.Then we went to Sri Madhavendra Puri's Samadhi and paid our heartfelt obeisances there.Then saw the temples around.It was wonderful.And then while returning saw the Saksi Gopal deity....out of all this was the most attractive....the form where Krsna just stood there....so marvellous....and Radharani looked so beautiful.Then we proceeded to Puri...again went to Gundica temple...saw the deities being taken away into the temple.Then had some prasadam and then paid obeisances to Puri Dham...asked Jagannath to call us again and again.
The next morning....got ready...read the Jagannath Ashtakam prayers while facing the Puri temple and then left for Konark Sun temple....then some places of King Ashoka in Bhubneshwar...Lingaraj temple was too good...then saw the Nandan Kanan zoo.Then got into the train back to Hyderabad.
This was the most blissful journey after Sri Vrindavan Dham.....i truly miss this place.This journey surely taught me so many things...humility...tolerance....how devotees should behave...i thank the devotee who gave the idea of visiting the Dham and all glories goes to him......all i can pray is Jagannath call me to this Dham again and again....and i want the Vaishnavas to bless me so that i never leave the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Forgive me for my offenses committed at Your Lotus Feet if any....my obeisances unto Your Lotus Feet.
Jagannath Swami Nayana Patha gami bhavatume
Jai Jagannath,Jai Baladeva,Jai Subhadra Devi.
Nitai Gaura Premanande....Hari Hari Bol!!!