Guest guest Posted July 12, 2003 Report Share Posted July 12, 2003 By Parijata devi dasi Dear Maharajas and Prabhus, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. The Festival of Reunion and many other programs hosted by Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Mandir, Juhu, on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee on 14 Jan 2003 were a grand success. The festival was attended by several of Srila Prabhupada's sannyasis and other disciples including Abhinandan Prabhu Aditya Mataji Bhakti Purushottam Swami Bhumipati Prabhu Devamrita Swami Ekanath Prabhu Gandiva Mataji Gopal Krishna Goswami Gurudas Prabhu Gurukripa Prabhu Jagatpurusa Prabhu Jayapataka Swami Kausalya Mataji Lokanath Swami Madhudvisa Prabhu Nara Narayan Prabhu Narayani Mataji Navayogendra Swami Nistraigunya Prabhu Pundarik Prabhu Radhanath Swami Sacinandan Swami Shyamasundar Prabhu Srimati Mataji Srutakirti Prabhu Tatpar Swami Vishakha Mataji Yadubara Prabhu Those among the above-mentioned devotees who helped in early days of the Hare Krishna Land struggle narrated special pastimes about Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari and Srila Prabhupada's battle to acquire and establish Hare Krishna Land. Many devotees were moved to tears to hear about Srila Prabhupada's extraordinary endeavors to obtain Hare Krishna Land and his intimate relationships with his disciples. The most touching of all, however, was to see many Srila Prabhupada disciples reunite with each other and visit Hare Krishna Land after more than 20 years. Devotees relished Srila Prabhupada katha from January 14 through 18, expertly coordinated by HH Sridhar Swami. Despite ill health and fever, Sridhar Swami worked tirelessly to serve all the guest and devotees. Besides this there were many special highlights of the festival: Maha Abhishek — 14 January 03 Srila Prabhupada disciples and sannyasis performed maha abhishek of Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari, Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman, followed by bhoga offering and arati. Prominent citizens of Mumbai performed shankha (special silver-plated conch) abhishek for the utsav murtis of Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari, Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, and Sri Sri Sita Rama Laxman Hanuman. Heaven On Earth Cornerstone Laying Ceremony — 14 January 03 Srila Prabhupada had wanted a Heaven on Earth at Hare Krishna Land, which would include a vanaprastha ashram, a library, educational facilities, a community hall, and many other things. A yajna was performed at a cornerstone-laying site, followed by the cornerstone-laying by the hands of Shri Desh Bandhu Gupta (Chairman Lupin Group and Chairman Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Committee) and HH Gopal Krishna Goswami. A model of the project was inaugurated. The function was also attended by the Honorable Sayyed Shah Nawaz Hussein (Union Aviation Minister), Shri Sunil Dutt (MP), Shri Srichand Hinduja, Hema Malini, and many others. Harinam For World Peace — 15 January 03 A World Peace Harinam and Ratha Yatra was held in downtown Mumbai on 15 January 2003, concluding with a pandal program at Cross Maidan. Thousands of Mumbaikars joined the Harinam. Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra Festival — 17 to 19 January 03 Lord Jagannath, Subhadra devi, and Lord Balaram showered their mercy on the residents of Mumbai again on 17 January 2003, when They paraded majestically on Their respective Raths. The Rath yatra was inaugurated by the Mayor of Mumbai. Many prominent citizens of Mumbai were present at the inauguration ceremony. Life Patrons Reunion — 16, 18 & 19 Jaunary 03 Special programs and prasadam were arranged for Life Patrons as an expression of gratitude for their involvement with ISKCON. Purshottama Jalota, renouned singer, and Hema Malini along with her daughters performed on the occasion. Shri Premnath, the architech who assisted Surabhi Swami in the construction of Hare Krishna Land, presented a slide show of the Heaven on Earth project. Many donors, life members, and well-wishers who served the Hare Krishna Land project in a significant way were congratulated and honored at a special function held on 18 January 03. Special thanks to the GBCs, sannyasis, well-wishers, and other devotees who worked tirelessly to make the Silver Jubilee Festival a grand success: · Gopal Krishna Goswami, Sridhar Swami, and Radhanath Swami, who personally invited Srila Prabhupada disciples to attend the festival. · Temple Council Members: Bhima prabhu (President), Devakinandan prabhu, Braj Hari prabhu, Surdas prabhu (convenor), Kapila prabhu, Pancaratna prabhu, and Mukunda Madhava prabhu. · Life Membership preachers. · Silver Jubilee Committee. · Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Committee. · Haridas prabhu and his ITV team, who shot the festival and interviewed Srila Prabhupada disciples including sannyasis. · The Children of Hare Krishna Land, who performed a special cultural program that included dances, bhajans, and a Nrsimhadev drama for the pleasure of the devotees. · Devotees and volunteers from Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari Temple, Juhu; Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Temple, Chowpatty; Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Temple, Mira Road. · The Children of the Vrindavan Gurukul, who performed the drama The Advent of Lord Jagannath. · The registration team, prasadam cooking & distribution team, accommodations-arrangement team, pujari department. · The temple presidents and devotees from various temples across India and the world who participated in the temple. · All devotees who participated in the festival as kirtan singers or audience members, or in any other capacity. · Krishna Chandra prabhu, who sponsored some airline tickets · The Mumbai Police and Traffic Police. Kindly forgive any error or omission in this report. Your servant, Parijata devi dasi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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