Historical Parikram convergence & Time and change photo exhibition

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees:

 

Dandavat Pranams

 

We are posting 2 articles about Parikram and Photo Exhibition sent by HH

Bhaktisiddhanta Swami Maharaja (JPS).

 

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- HISTORICAL PARIKRAMA CONVERGENCE

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Just a few days ago over 4000 devotees

converged together at Yoga Pita to conclude the 2004 Navadvipa Mandala

Parikrama, a first international gala of such proportions. The mixed foreign

party consisted of 1300 members, the Bengali 1500, the Russian 600 with 600

from the Mayapur Chandradoya Mandir. At 10:30 am the three kirtan groups, 3

sets of deities, an arsenal of mrdangas, kartals and drums beated in unison

under waving flags and mobile loudspeakers. Garlands and embraces were

exchanged between everyone in the three parties. A ring of devotees had to

surround HH Jayapataka Maharaja to protect him from the mixing currents of

human bodies. Later Maharaja remarked “ It was an interesting moment where

your feet just left the ground” And that was the reality whether you liked

it or not.

 

It was a climactic highlight to the entire parikrama. Tears were in

the eyes of some, as the garland givers fought through the sea of chanters

admidst a Lokanath Swami kirtan, to deliver the respective flowers and

greetings to one another. In fact many garland givers came out of

nowhere….may be a few demigods joined in. It was a moment in spiritual

history. Never has there ever been such a selection of youthful chanters of

different colors and creeds on this plain. Yes Srila Bhaktisiddanta

Sarasvati led a party of 10,000 pilgrims(the swamis even got to ride on

horses too!(smile)) and in Mahaprabhu’s time several hundred thousand would

join, but never has there been such a ‘global flock’ at Yoga Pita as this

day. One could just feel how pleased Srila Prabhupada was along with the

previous acaryas. With the combined deities, Gaura Nitai’s and Sri Sri Panca

Tattva’s altars manoeuvring about, a satisfied parampara, an unforgettable

‘Presence’ was at hand. Just as with the curtain opening of the Panca Tattva

Deities, the Lords had certainly come.

 

For this Navadvipa mandal parikrama of ‘transcendental island hopping’

was truly the highlight of the entire Gaura Purnima festival. A team of

swamis would visit each party, each of which had a different flavor. For

those who were blessed to visit the Russian party, one would meet attentive

and sincere listeners, who because of their numbers could relish longer

periods at each place. And boy did they walk fast! Even amongst the little

old ladies, one could find some real troopers, even passing by the six-foot

swamis on the path. The Bengali party was immersed in a variety of

traditional melodies in their enthusiastic kirtans. The International party

bathed in the melodious serenades of HH Maha Vishnu Swami.

 

Leaving the camps at 6 am after mangal arotik, to just view the golden dawn

sun peeking through the cool lifting fog, amidst heart melting Arunodaya

kirtan, one is transported to another realm. Here you were engaged in

ancient chants within spiritual grounds, steeping to and fro in the soft

cool sand and acupressure pebbles, some would begin their rounds, while most

would just delight in the morning sounds.

 

Daily one could find oneself on safari, surrounded by a most picturesque

tapestry of winding paths, palm trees, agricultural fields, and villages

with a most receptive audience of well wishing dhama-vasis. The husbands

would watch and the women and children would call out “Haribol, Hare

Krishna, Gaura Nitai!”. Little girls holding big babies would be amazed at

the passing columns of walking white elephants. Panca Tattva das said “I saw

one lady directing her child to roll in the ground collecting the dust from

the devotees feet and in the background there was a chorus of ululating

matajis”.

 

Wonderful prasadam came twice a day, cooked at the Gada Kitchen offered

to Lord Jaganath and a host of Govardhana and Shaligram Silas and….. no

wonder the parties were so intoxicated.

 

After Yoga Pita the final leg came when the parties visited Srila

Prabhupada at his puspa samadhi and then onward to Sri Sri Radha Madava,

Nrsimhadeva, and the most merciful Sri Sri Panca Tattva. All Lords smiled

benevolently upon the new arrivals. These children have become purified and

are a step closer to fulfilling Their Will and Plan in this world. For they

have become part of a ‘convergence’ and through them They will attract the

world.

 

TIME AND CHANGE PHOTO EXHIBITION

 

 

One of the highlights was a 350 photo exhibition ,

arranged by Tusti Mohan Krsna dasa, of Iskcon Mayapur from the early days to

the present. Right after guru puja , Srila Prabhupada was brought to inspect

this offering and the devotees followed behind in kirtan. Views from the

conch building over the bare land and back were displayed, and pictures of

Srila Prabhupada’s pioneering presence, morning walks and ground breaking

ceremonies. As one walked clockwise around, one could view the history of

gurukula developments, cow protection, temple construction, festivals,

deities, plans and models for the future temple, concluding in the multi

angle expose of the Sri Sri Panca Tattva Installation. The photo selection

was so good that on the first morning 100 of these prints were stolen from

the wall. The security stickmen from that point on would chastise anyone who

leaned across the ropes before the displays to protect their longevity. All

in it was very inspiring, bringing one and all from the past, up to the

present into the future, a delightful experience of time and change.

 

(By HH Bhaktisiddhanta Swami)