By Satish Babu (Sucisrava Das)
Administration Department
Bhaktivedanta Gurukula & International School
Please accept our humble obeisances!
November 5
The New Temple opened its doors on November 5th and devotees came and were inspired by its beauty. The first Morning Bhagavatam class in the New Temple was given by HH Bhakti Mukund Maharaj which was followed by an ecstatic kirtan and later sankirtan procession to Goshala for cow worship. A special lecture on deity installation was given by HG Mukund Datt Das to set the right consciousness and enable devotees to perform the rituals over the upcoming days with sincere and pure minds.
November 6
on the second day, Sudarshan Homa, Sudarshan Abhishek and installation of Sudarshan Chakra & Kalash were performed to invoke all auspiciousness. Srila Prabhupada was brought to reside along with Krishna-Balrama and Netromilan Darshan of the deities was the main highlights of the day. Shayan Adivas Darshan in the evening increased every devotee’s excitement for the next day. Later in the day HH Giriraj Swami and HG Srutakirti Das spoke on Srila Prabhupad pastimes.
November 7
the long-awaited day of the Grand Pran Prathishta ceremony was witnessed by the devotees with ecstatic Kirtan performed by HH Lokanath Swami Maharaj. The Deity Pran Pratishtha was performed in the auspicious presence of many great devotees like HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj, HH Bhakti Purushottam Maharaj, HG Devaki Nandan Das , and Srutakirti Das. The Maha Abhishek was performed by Senior Sanyasis. Later the first Rajbhoga was offered to Sri Sri Krishna-Balaram and gave their very first Darshan to the devotees with arti. Later the devotees had delicious prasadam. The joyous day ended with the cultural programs staged by Braj Gopika girls and Bhaktivedanta Gurukula boys.
November 8
Devotees witnessed the first Mangal Arti in the new temple. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami Maharaj did the first Mangalarti. Other events of the day are ‘Kirtan Mela’ glued devotees to their seats. Different Kirtniyas held the audience spellbound by their enchanting kirtan. Devotees were moved to tears of joy by the mesmerizing Kirtan performed by HH Sachinandan Maharaj. Devotees were soaked in deep loving sentiments for the divine and experienced a deep sense of bliss! Divine discourses by different Maharajas were given by each one in the evening was enlightened the audience. The Cultural Programs and the Presence of All VIPs at the end of each day were a delight to everyone. Later devotees went home with so much divine knowledge, grace, and deep spiritual experiences than they could possibly carry. Krishna-Balaram Temple is indeed Krishna’s loving gift for His devotees. In continuation of the grand inauguration ceremony, Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School have planned many more events for the future.
November 9
On 9-Nov- 2022, it was a historic day for Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School. The Hon’ble Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Sri Sri Krishna Balarama Temple and took darshan of the deities and did arti also. Later he went to Krish Dairy plant in Vrindaranyam campus and followed by visiting of Goshala. Along with Hon’ble CM other dignitaries like Mathura MP Hema Maliniji, Laxminarayan Chaudhary and others attended the program.
The Chief Minister, in his felicitation speech, recognized the efforts and contribution of ISKCON to the welfare of society through various projects. Hon’ble Chief Minister glorified Srila Prabhupada’s preaching efforts throughout the world and promised to extend all support for every positive endeavor in the direction of empowering villages through FPOs, dairy production, protection of cows and propagation & promotion of Vedic knowledge. Mathura MP Hema Maliniji and other dignitaries also showered words of appreciation for Srila Prabhupada.HH Gopal Krishna Maharaj (GBC ISKCON), HG Panchgauda Das and HG Lila Purushottam Das shared the dais with the Chief Minister and were among the ones feted by him.