By Shyama gopika devi dasi

For the divine pleasure of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava to enjoy Their sweet swinging pastimes, Mayapur Vaisnava Youth had set up a gorgeous swing adorned with flowers, extensive decorations and lightings. This year’s attraction was that a wonderful Jhulan-kunja had sprung up amidst a pool with ornate fountains and devotees walk on the bamboo bridge to pull the swing. Entire setting was carefully done, each with singular features to take you back to the Jhulan Utsav mood as in Vrindavan.

Earlier in the evening, the deities are placed in decorated palanquin and seated in the swing. An arti is performed and community devotees bring different bhoga, garlands for the pleasure of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha-Madhava. After swinging for almost two hours, lamps are offered and deities return to the temple. Festivities will extend for next four days with much more excitement.

Hari Bhakti Vilasa states that, “To please Sri Hari, devotees hold numerous festivals on every occasion and continuously perform sankirtana. According to their ability, the devotees serve the Lord during the summer by placing Him on the boat, taking Him out on a procession, applying sandalwood on His body, fanning Him with chamara, decorating Him with jeweled necklaces, offering Him palatable foodstuffs, and bringing Him out to swing Him in the pleasant moonlight.”

One can experience this specific mood of service permeated in the air - live at Mayapur especially during festivals like Jhulan Yatra.

Every day Jhulan Yatra pictures will be posted at HYPERLINK “http://www.mayapur.com/”www.mayapur.com .

Have Jhulan Darsan of Sri Sri Radha-Madhava at Mayapur- every day!

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