By Radhamadhavahari das
Superior Court Judge Mangum visits Hare Krishna Temple
Phoenix, May 10. On the occasion of NrSimh Jayanti celebrations combined with Sunday Love Feast, Superior Court Justice Kenneth Mangum of Maricopa County paid his second visit to Hare Krishna temple in Phoenix. Upon his arrival, he was received by Temple’s formerly Advisory Board Chairman Raju Pushpati. As a Chief Guest, he received all courtesies and wholeheartedly participated in a series of ceremonies- starting with obeisance to Srila Prabhupada, touring the Temple and looking at the vast Vedic literature compiled by ISKCON Founding Acharya Srila Prabhupada; sipping charnamrita- nectar; accepting Tilak from NrSimh Yajna on his forehead; taking Aratee with both folded hands and offering Laxmi- donation on Aarati Plate; chanting and dancing MahaMantra; accepting sprinkled Ganga Jala- Holy water; accepting blessed garland and a paperback copy of SriMad Bhagvad-gita As It Is – presented to him by Pundit Surinder Sharma, another Board member of the Advisory Committee.
He gracefully distributed NrSimha Jayanti T-Shirts to the 15 children of BhaktiVedanta Cultural Center- who also participated in singing glories of NrSimha Deva earlier, and some of them played role in NrSimh Lila Drama, directed by Devadeva das.
Judge Mangum visited Hare Krishna Temple about two years ago with his son. He was delighted to take blessed food- prasadam, and preferred to sit on floor with legs crossed. He asked about why (no poories or) chapaties were served because he became fond of chapatti while visiting Pushkar Lake in India, and had memories of Taj Hotel in Mumbai- which was target of terrorists attack last year. News about his visit was printed in Worship section of East Valley Tribune which has a Saturday circulation of 100,000.
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