Inauguration pictures
Today, 16th February, we had the inauguration of Gaur Purnima festival, 2015. The festival marks its 43rd anniversary this year in Mayapur. Initially, there was a kirtan before Deities of Gaur Nitai and Garudadev. Then more devotees led by sanyasis including HH Gopal Krishna Goswami, HH BhaktaGaurVani Swami and HH Prahladananda Swami joined carrying Srila Prabhupada’s deity in a procession. This took place right after Guru puja. HG Pragosh Prabhu chaired the event and compared Mayapur of the earlier days when there were very few devotees (8 to be precise). Moreover, there were dacoits and the facilities were not developed like today. Next, flag hoisting was performed by HH Lokanath Swami and HH BhaktaGaurVani Swami. The flag has image of Lord Garuda for protection during the festival.
There was chanting of mantras by students of Bhaktivedanta academy. Next, there was a coconut breaking ceremony to invoke auspiciousness. Following that, some sanyasis spoke on the occasion. HH Gopal Krishna Goswami told devotees to take advantage of the sadhu sangha, get charged up and preach with enthusiasm on returning back. Compared to earlier situation of Mayapur, present Mayapur Gaur Purnima is surely a festival. Maharaj predicted that next year festival marking 50th anniversary of ISKCON’s incorporation would be ‘Super Grand’ event. HH Bhaktipurosottama Maharaj was also present on this occasion and spoke on the similar line. HH Prahladananda Swami shared a pastime with Srila Prabhupada when devotees first made ‘Simply wonderful’ sweet and compared the festival to be ‘Simply wonderful’ since it’s very directly related with Krsna. Finally, HH Jay Pataka Swami told about the 1000 times multiplication of spiritual benefit in Mayapur Dhama. He also told that he heard similar on performing bhakti within 2 miles of Mother Ganges. Thus, he encouraged devotees to maximize the benefit of this opportunity by chanting, dancing and feasting. HG Pragosh Prabhu entertained the devotees with his transcendental humor especially after speeches by sanyasis. Then, there was a small melodious kirtan by HG Eklavya prabhu and deity of Srila Prabhupada was taken back. Finally, there was distribution of delicious khichri prasadam to all devotees.
Images of the event can be accessed by clicking the link ”Inauguration pictures” above. Hare Krsna!! Srila Prabhupada ki jay!!
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