Live from Siliguri!

[Guest guest]

Camp: ISKCON Siliguri, West Bengal

 

Dear Devotees,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

We are happy to report that today (Tuesday), the first day of the new temple

opening in Siliguri, was a real success. Please see the attached photos to

get a feel of the fun!

 

The first photo is of the 108 kunda yajna. It was amazing to see the holy

fires and smoke in all directions. Like something from a previous yuga. Over

180 kilos of ghee were today offered to the Lord through the fire. . .

 

The second photo is of the vastu-puja yajna in the temple room performed by

boys from the Bhaktivedanta Academy, Mayapur.

 

The third photo shows the temple and a tiny section of the swarming masses

of pilgrims that have thronged the temple all week, building up to the

actual opening. It was taken just a few minutes ago.

 

Hundreds of devotees from Mayapur have come here to help arrange the

festival. Hundreds more from Bangladesh, North Bengal, and other parts of

India, as well as 150 devotees on the Ganga Safari are also here to

participate in this historic and auspicious event. At least ten sannyasis

are here. It's a typical Bengali utsava with people and noise everywhere.

Prasadam, books, and devotional paraphernalia are flying out in unimaginable

quantities.

 

We've been to many temple openings around India and abroad and this is

definitely one of the best. All the arrangements and paraphernalia are

first-class--a real credit to the small group of dedicated devotees who have

developed this magnificent project.

 

Tomorrow will be the actual installation of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Madhava,

Lalita and Visakhadevis, and Sri Sri Pancatattva. Hopefully I'll be able to

send these photos out tonight, plus some more of tomorrow's abhiseka and

installation darshan.

 

Haribol!

 

Your servant, ATD