By Ananga-mohini dasi
What an awesome experience!
When the concept of The Blue Mountain was announced at the Durban temple a few weeks prior to Ratha Yatra, I immediately thought that I would want to be part of this. The hype and buzz about The Blue Mountain, made it all the more exciting.
At 16h45 on Friday, 6 April we were all ready to open. The crowd waiting outside the tent was phenomenal. The mood that permeated both inside and outside reminded me of Krishnastami night at 23h55 when everyone is waiting anxiously for the curtains to open.
The final countdown had begun 10…9…8…etc and HH Indradyumna Swami opened the tent.
The devotees swarmed in like bees to honey! I felt like a child again all excited and carried away by this huge wave that swept our tent. I stood there speechless.
Seeing the excitement on both adults and children’s face as they scurried around the marketplace from one table to the next filled us with immense joy and satisfaction. Within one hour of opening, we had to close the market to restock!
A few colleagues from the office, who visited Blue Mountain, raved about the tent. “We never saw anything like this before – everything is so unique” commented one and another stated that his children loved the arts and crafts – they have their flags in their rooms as souvenirs and they believe that Lord Jagannath is watching over them.
From all my years of serving during Ratha Yatra, this was by far the most rewarding and fulfilling experience.
I look forward to serving every year at The Blue Mountain.
Your servant
Ananga-mohini dasi