By Manu das
The local people thronged in their hundreds to visit the island retreat of Sri Sri Radha Govinda. It is not an annual pilgrimage as some years we are not geared up to host the event, but the Hare Krsna “open Day” still attracts many locals to take a cultural step in the direction of Krsna, and experience first hand the Hare Krsna Temple. There were several interesting facets to the day
1. We had three devotees, strategically in position to guide people in to the Temple Room and explain to them the significance of our Temple. The consensus was that there was a lot more questioning than before, people were much more open to the Deities and there was a deep interest in our explanations.
2. People are regularly coming back when we have these events and that they look forward to them. One person explained to the local newspaper that they had been here 20 years ago at a previous open day as a child and they very much appreciated that they could return now and take in the atmosphere again. The funny thing is that our Temple is open to the public 365 days per year, yet it is only on an open day that they think they can come, despite many endeavours to inform them of the contrary.
3. Despite the event being advertised til 6 o clock, many stayed on longer, enjoying the whole atmosphere, eating out on the lawn, chatting and chilling.
4. We had a relatively low entrance fee, and we provided them with bouncy castles for the kids, face painting, our kids put on a great Drama, we had mellow Bhajanas, Fire Yajna, constant kirtana in the Temple Room………..
5. One of the busiest places was our new Tulasi Garden, and one of the 3 appointed guides, Kalyani dasi, drifted out to the garden from the Temple Room, and she said she was beset with even more questions there, at one point there even being a queue for more info. Again the organic Garden, the bee hives and the lovely new Tulasi Garden wove their magic for Krsna to enchant these visiting souls.
6. Wherever and whenever you step on this island Krsna weaves a mystical magic, and you make advancement just by being here.
Preaching in rural Northern Ireland can be somewhat challenging, but we have stuck with it and slowly but surely we are making inroads into the people`s hearts. Low key, long term but Govindas’s beat goes on.
http://picasaweb.google.com/drmangeshk/OpenDayFestival2010#slideshow/5495753403240081250
Well done! I am really proud of what everyone has done. My most favourite temple . It brings back the meomeries of visit to Radha Govinda for last 3 years while I was living in Northern Ireland. Radha Govinda allways has a special place in my heart no matter what other great temples I visit. I’m sure Srila Prabhupada would be 200% happy with the service Radha Govinda receives from you all.Hare KRSNA!