{"id":8171,"date":"2010-02-08T09:15:59","date_gmt":"2010-02-08T08:15:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=8171"},"modified":"2010-02-17T12:08:21","modified_gmt":"2010-02-17T11:08:21","slug":"six-continents-join-in-global-prayer-for-the-yamuna-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=8171","title":{"rendered":"Six Continents Join in Global Prayer for the Yamuna River"},"content":{"rendered":"

Submitted by Chaitanya Mangala das<\/strong><\/p>\n

Written by Madhava Smullen and originally posted at the ISKCON News website on February 7th, 2010.<\/p>\n

As urban developers threaten to destroy the rich culture and heritage of Vrindavan, India\u2014the holy place of Lord Krishna\u2019s birth\u2014devotees around the world united in a globe-encompassing kirtan to pray for the future of Vrindavana and its sacred Yamuna River this January 30th.<\/p>\n

Organized by members of the ISKCON second-generation project, the Kuli Mela Association, the Global Kirtan for the Yamuna River was held in 128 locations, covering all six inhabited continents: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia. Six of the events ran for a full 24 hours, while others ran for 12 or less.<\/p>\n

With building of a controversial bridge across the Yamuna currently paused by court order, devotees and environmentalists wait with baited breath for the next high court hearing on February 23rd. In the meantime, however, their chanting resounded across the globe in a valiant effort to raise consciousness and awareness of the Yamuna River\u2019s plight.<\/p>\n

Keshi Ghat, Vrindavana, India<\/p>\n

Following a procession in which ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada rode into the Kumbha Mela camp at Keshi Ghat on the back of an elephant, devotees from all traditions and lines gathered as one, forgetting their differences to pray for the Yamuna River. Flower petals and possibly the biggest ghee lamp ever seen were offered to her holy waters, as devotees\u2014including Aindra Dasa of ISKCON Vrindavana\u2019s 24 Hour Kirtan\u2014chanted Krishna\u2019s names…<\/p>\n

San Francisco, California, USA<\/p>\n

Some of North America\u2019s leading kirtan performers lit up the Global Kirtan jam at Open Secret Bookstore in San Francisco, including Agnidev, the Mayapuris, and Jai Uttal. A recitation of Yamunastakam, composed by 15th century saint Rupa Goswami, a soulful Radha chant dedicated to the people of Haiti, Jai Uttal\u2019s stories of his pilgrimage to Vrindavana, and a Mayapuris kirtan that roused everyone to their feet in ecstatic dancing made this evening of community-bonding one to remember.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe attracted a full spectrum of guests, from SF Yoga Journal Conference guests to children,\u201d says organizer Krishna Devata. \u201cI even met a Buddhist who came because she saw that it was in support of a Sacred Site. I believe that the alarming construction project in Vrindavan that is currently paused, brought together numerous groups to collaborate on something we all value. Prayer is powerful and will give us a way to move from powerlessness to surrender in witnessing the daunting situation of Yamuna Devi. I hope that there is a way to revive this \u201cdead river,\u201d as the Yamuna is called by many environmental agencies.\u201d<\/p>\n

To see a video, click below:<\/p>\n