More photos: https://web.facebook.com/gadadhar.dasa/media_set?set=a.2477760392450989&type=3
preme matta nityänanda kåpä-avatära
uttama, adhama, kichu nä kare vicära
Because He is intoxicated by ecstatic love and is an incarnation of mercy, He does not distinguish between the good and the bad.
This year in the island of Bali, Lord Nityananda showered His causeless mercy to the devotees. For the second time this year the grand Cida dahi festival was held at the Merta Sari beach. This program was not planned however. HH Subhag Swami arrived in Bali a few days prior to the festival and spontaneously commented, ‘We should have a Cida dahi festival!’ The local devotees took this instruction seriously and as a result within a short span of only three days was this festival arranged.
The day prior to the festival (Saturday), was Sarasvati Puja. This is celebrated in every house in Bali by the Hindus. The next day which coincided with the Cida dahi festival was the ‘Purification ceremony.’ On this day all Hindus from around Bali come and take bath in the beach in the morning. As Merta Sari beach is well known in Bali, many came there and took their bath. Seizing this opportunity, devotees started assembling at the beach from 6am. They distributed chipped rice sweet and green porridge prasadam to locals. HH Subhag Swami also encouraged the devotees by personally distributing as well. Simultaneously, kirtan and book distribution went on. There was hundreds present on the beach. Maharaj commented, ‘It looks like another Kumbha Mela!’
Festivities in the afternoon started at 1pm with kirtan and bhajans. Then as the tradition goes, the deities from all the temples were carried on beautifully carved palanquins and were bathed in the sea. The onlookers and tourists were struck with amazement at the scene. Their’ Lordships were then brought back to the altar. HH Subhag Swami then performed the abhishek ceremony to Their’ Lordships whilst HH Bhakti Jivan Vrajananda Swami delivered a class about the life of Raghunath das Goswami. Thereafter HH Subhag Swami spoke about the Cida dahi festival. Maharaj also spoke on the importance of book distribution. Currently across Indonesia, the devotees are participating in the ‘Gita Marathon.’ The book marathon will last for two months. Maharaj shared a few quotes from Srila Prabhupada about the importance of book distribution which enlivened the devotees to increase their efforts during the marathon time.
After the classes had finished, both Maharajas mixed the chipped rice sweet. An arati ceremony was then performed and maha prasad was distributed to all who came.
‘These public festivals have proven very effective in spreading knowledge Krishna consciousness to all citizens.’
Subhag Swami asked whether all the devotees are happy with the festival and they all responded by shouting, ‘Haribol!’ Maharaj said that this is sign of Krishna Consciousness.
parama koruëa, pahü dui jana
nitäi gauracandra
saba avatära-sära çiromaëi
kevala änanda-kanda
We thank all the devotees who participated in this festival to make it a success. Especially we thank the devotees who were not in ‘the limelight’ but worked selflessly. Some devotees cooked for 8 hours continuously whilst others stayed up the whole night at the beach on Saturday decorating and preparing so all the devotees could enjoy the festival. Our respects to HH Bhakti Jivan Vrajananda Swami and HH Subhag Swami for inspiring the devotees with their presence. Finally we offer our obeisances again and again to His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada who spread the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda across the globe in the forms of countless Vaisnava festivals and who gave us a glimpse of the joy in the spiritual world.