By Sunanda Das
On the auspicious Sayana Ekadasi day of July 4th, over two thousand of His Holiness Lokanath Maharaja’s disciples and well-wishers celebrated his Vyasa Puja in Pandharpur, India, home of Sri Vithalnath Who on that same day observed His Darshan Day.
Most significantly was the presence of Lord Nityananda’s Padukas and Lord Nrsimhadeva’s Sitari from Mayapur along with His Grace Sriman Jananivas and Vraja Vilas prabhus representing the TOVP. Maharaja dedicated over three hours of prime-time to the TOVP presentation and fundraising showing by his own example the importance of the project. Due to his inspiration over $1 million U.S. was raised in pledges.
In a moving speech about the historic and spiritual significance of the TOVP Maharaja explained that, as it was the desire of our acharyas, especially Srila Prabhupada, to build this magnificent temple and monument of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s glory, so it was also his desire. And similarly it should be the deepest desire of his disciples to also see it built. He encouraged one and all to give their might to help fund the construction so that the completion date of 2022 could be realized.
The TOVP presentation consisted of an abhishek for the Padukas and Sitari accompanied by kirtan, speeches from Jananivas, Vraja Vilas and temple leaders, the fundraising event and finally prasadam. Everyone participated in the fundraiser and received gifts from the TOVP in loving reciprocation for their pledge.
The entire TOVP Team is grateful to His Holiness Lokanath Maharaja and all his disciples and followers for their inspiring example and service attitude towards this most important ISKCON project and especially to Istadeva prabhu who organized the entire event.