12th Annual Festival of India In Spanish Fork

July 8, 2003

Although the weather was not good the days before the festival and very, very bad starting from the day after, the day of the festival was perfect. Attendance was at a record high, with 3500 dollars coming in at the gate. Many of the influential members of the Indian community were there.

We had donations for the new temple construction of $8,000 and another kind and generous pledge of $26,000 dollars from a western neurologist from Park City. The gift shop did $4,000 and so did the food booth. We had $350 from the book table and $200 from the Mehendi booth.

Aloka das Gupta gave a stunning sitar performance accompanied by Ajeet Pathak on tablas, Lila was extraordinary as usual, and the crowd loved Manjari. The drama was superb with Hala Yudha having flown in Friday night and working constantly till show time with the best cast we've ever had. There was not a single weak actor among them. Every one carried out his role to perfection.

The burning of the 20 ft high effigy of Ravana came off without a hitch. He was kerosene primed at exactly the right moment, was completely consumed by fire ignited from Ram's arrow, and the fireworks display was spectacular, featuring even items that have newly been created and rarely seen anywhere in the world (rockets that shoot 75 yards into the air, turn into multi colored pinwheels and then blaze off at a right angle).

Amala Bhakta tirelessly answered questions from a microphone in the packed temple room for six straight hours, even while the drama was going on and even after the burning of Ravana and the fireworks.

Krishna sustained us through the weeks long period of preparation, protected us from inclement weather, brought a record crowd and income and inspired the festival goers with hitherto unprecedented love and inspiration for His Divine Service.

Next year we won't forget your promise to physically be here.

Your servant, Caru das