Photograph courtesy of Satyabrata Mahapatra
By Girish Parikh
ISKCON Chicago Hare Krishna Temple celebrated Diwali on Friday, November 9; and Annakut and Govardhan Puja on Saturday, November 10.
Annakut and Govardhan Puja celebration began with the chanting of Hare Krishna mahamantra (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare; Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) and other chants by Nirantara Das. Those who led the chanting and kirtan included H.H. Chandramauli Swami, Gauri Das Pandit, Jai Jagannath Das, and Satchitananda Das.
Sunil Madhava Das led the chanting of Sri Damodarastaka, and Hare Krishna mahamantra in his melodious and deeply devotional voice.
Sachi Patel performed beautiful Bharat Natyam dance with the bhajan “Sri Ramachandra krupalu bhaju mana harana bhavabhaya darunam …” (Sri Ramachandra is so gracious that by even taking His name one can cross the ocean of miseries of the world.)
H.H. Chandramauli Swami, a direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada and resident Swami of ISKCON Chicago Hare Krishna Temple, then gave a discourse about the significance of Govardhan Puja. Among other things, he mentioned that Sri Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill with the small finger of His left hand to protect His devotees.
Let me briefly narrate the intriguing story of Govardhan Puja:
Nanda Maharaj, the foster father of Krishna, wanted to worship Indra with the cowherd men in Vrindavan. The child Krishna asked him to worship Govardhan Hill instead as the residents of Vrindavan were getting many benefits from the Hill. A mount of food (Annakut) was offered to the Hill. Indra’s pride was hurt and he sent torrents of rain to destroy the Hill and its worshipers. Krishna raised, and supported the Hill by the pinky finger of His left hand, and all the residents of Vrindavan sheltered under it were saved. If Krishna wants to save no one can hurt you, but if He does not want to save you no one can protect you.
The Govardahn Arati was then performed. The Govardhan pradakshina (devotional walking around) of the Annakuta (Govardhan Hill), and wonderful kirtan led by Satchitananda Das then followed. The temple was filled with the chanting of devotees.
Over 800 devotees enjoyed the program, and the delicious Govardhan prasadam.
The prasadam was sponsored by Jyotin Parikh, and the puja all day was sponsored by Bhagubhai Patel.
Sri Gita Jayanti celebration will be on Sunday, December 23; the recitation of the Gita begins at 2 pm.
The ISKCON Chicago Hare Krishna temple is located at 1716 W. Lunt Avenue. Telephone: (773) 973-0900. Web sites: www.KrishnaEvents.com (fill a form on this Web site and stay informed), and www.iskconchicago.com.
If you cannot come to the ISKCON Chicago temple, please check programs at the ISKCON temple near you.
(Girish Parikh (E-mail: girish116@yahoo.com) is a Chicago-based author. He was inspired to write this feature-report by Sunil Madhava Das.)