Aravade Temple Opening Festival – pics – updated

Tusti Mohan Krsna das: Dear Devotees Dandavat pranams.

Please see attached file with pics in zip folder about the magnificent opening ceremonies of the new ISKCON Temple in Arawade, the birth place of HH Lokanath Swami, a remote village located 1 hour from sangli city in Maharastra State, or 4 hours from the city of Pune.

We can say that is like some kind of Gaurpurnima festival as it is a huge program for many days (from 5th till 9th of February) with many senior devotees from different parts of the world. It is also important to mention that the main ceremonies were divided into 2 days although the program was for 5 days, one basically the inauguration with devotees and some VIP’s as Members of Local Parliament, the Maha abhisheka and deity installation, that was on the 7th during the appearance day of the Supreme Lord Nityananda, while on the 8th mainly the program was to welcome 2 State Ministers and the national president of the NCP (national congress party) which were very much impressed by this great project for the service of Lord Caitanya and Srila Prabhupada’s mission, that made them offer for now 1 crore of rupees (INR 10.000.000) by the finance state minister while alter on in his speech the NCP leader, offers as much money as needed for the development of this project, that in fact will be for the benefit of this area in general.

Amazing to see how many pandals were made for this event, more amazing even is to see how the opulence gets manifested wherever Srila Prabhupada’s mercy is bestowed over the head of his disciples, as is HH Lokanath Swami Maharaja who was as a perfect host for his god brothers, devotees in general and all pilgrims.

Making a temple of Krishna is in fact a development for all these rural areas which drove thousands of devotees and VIP personalities, that gave life and economical support to many needed people in this part of India. all by the mercy of Krishna who manifested himself in a super extraordinary and beautiful form to give darsan to all, been for sure this temple of a medium size the most beautiful temple in the whole area.

Many senior devotees and famous faces where present at this festival, like their holinesses, Gopal Krishna Goswami, Radhanath Swami, Subhag Swami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Bhakti Vikas Swami, Smita Krishna Swami, Janananda Goswami, Candramali Swami, Bhakti purusottama swami, Bhakti Visrambha Madhava Swami, Prabhodananda Saraswati Swami (HH GKG’s disciple). Their Graces Kratu Prabhu, Deena Bhandu Prabhu, Vaiyasaki Prabhu, Anuttama Prabhu, Anandamaya Prabhu, Basu Gosh Prabhu, Hari Sauri Prabhu, Malati Mataji, Surabhi dd, Nartaki dd, Surdas Prabhu, Mahaman Prabhu, Sarvabhauma Prabhu, Revati Raman Prabhu, Yasodadulal Pr, Tatvavita Prabhu, Yashoda dulal Prabhu, Jagjivan Prabhu, Raghava Pandit Prabhu, Radheshyam Prabhu and many more that I will mention later on in my report as this is only to talk few words about the pictures’s event I am sending now. The most important media were also present.

The full program included padayatra in the village, Manipur drum dancers, first class dramas and artistic performances, Vaiyasaki prabhu’s bhajans and kirtans, Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg Inauguration, Odessi Dance by American Artists, Lost Village Movie , Govardhana inauguration and fireworks. a part from all spiritual ceremonies and rituals including Shikar Kalash Sthapana & Garuda Sthapana, the maha abhisheka, the jaynas as are prescribed in the sastras and the lectures by senior guests.

We hope that soon all of you wil have the opportunity to come and have darsan of Sri Sri Radha Gopal at Arwade village.

Srila Prabhupada Ki jaya HH Lokanath Swami Ki jaya.

Ys

Tusti Mohan Krsna das
———————–
By Radhaprema Devi Dasi

Click on the links below to read descriptions and see more pictures

http://www.dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads/aravade-temple-opening-festival-1.doc

http://www.dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads/Aravade%20Temple%20Opening%20Festival%202.doc

http://www.dandavats.com/wp-content/uploads/Aravade%20Temple%20Opening%20Festival%203.doc