While we were being escorted back to the Indore airport after our Ujjian journey, this devotee asked us how did we like in Ujjain. After a short pause, I said, "nice". A doubtful expression appeared on his face! That's it, nice?? And yes he was right, it is definitely more than that. It was not easy for us to describe the whole Ujjain yatra experience. Then I started to break down each of our experience in different segments and expressed our feelings towards those. I am going to describe them now.
When I first saw this temple from our car when we drove in, it appeared to me like a "transcendental White House". Coming from the United States where the elections had just finished, the US white house has been the topic in the news everywhere in the world. It is so brilliantly attractive that I cannot describe it in few words let alone my limited expressing ability. We have seen this temple in videos many many times, but in the whole Ujjain area, these 3 marble buildings are second to none. It seems as if they emanating an effulgence to the whole Ujjain city and beyond.
The whole temple building is constructed with white/ off white color marble with slight blackish scrub all throughout including the pavement that begins from the roadside. I was impressed by the cleanliness of this temple. Workers are employed to ensure the temple looks clean and attractive always as guests pour in quite often during the day. The gardens are definitely a center for attraction. Once I heard from HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja, where he said he has planted a garden in Ujjain city for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. And it is a garden only when there are no weeds in it. He actually meant that the devotees who want to stay in this spiritual garden to be free of any personal desires and serve Srila Prabhupada whole heartedly. What he literally meant, we could visualize that by looking the actual gardens. The pictures will prove this to you as well.
We went inside the temple and again we were awestruck contemplating at the beauty of the altar, the gorgeous deities and the marvelous dressings style and quality. Srila Prabhupada's altar was very striking in appearance. Though we have seen many altars in wood and gold leaf combination but there was something about the altar in this temple which we found very appealing.
We were lucky to be visiting at a time when HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja was present at Ujjain. He was able to spare some time for us and met with us. He briefed us about the history of Iskcon Ujjain and the current on going activities. We told Maharaja we would definitely be coming back.
Many of you know Who the main deities here are. And yes there is also our family's favorite deity, Sri Sri Krishna and Balaramaji, along with Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohana, Sri Lalita and Sri Vishakha and Sri Sri Gauara Nitai. Their glamor tells They are all very very happy with the seva They receive here. The dressing is done on a very professionally level. You would just want to stand near the deities and spend your day glancing upon Them. Please see the pictures to believe it for yourself.
The deity greetings kirtan and the evening kirtan is one of the ecstatic times to be around. Hundreds of people including devotees and locals gather together these times. Before concluding the kirtan, the devotee leading the kirtan will lead everyone to 3 round temple parikrama stopping each time at the main entrance. I recalled my memory and remembered that I saw this when Srila Prabhupada would lead devotees for a temple parikrama at the Mayapur temple and would stop to the "gong" (ring) the huge bell and the devotees would jump up and down while Srila Prabhupada did that. The devotees here at Ujjain would create a circle where devotees would dance and chant the Mahamantra all together when at the entrance. They would do this for 2 more times then would head in to conclude the kirtan. The similar atmosphere happens in the evening but the crowd is more and doubled is the fun. There are few boys who seem to be expert dancers. They usually come on Sundays. For each different melody they quickly develop a new dance pattern. It is so wonderful to see them dance. They eventually lead the whole congregation to dance for the pleasure of Their Lordships. Devotees here are so spontaneous and this was something new for us to notice. As soon Maharaja started the pranam mantras of his Sunday Feast kirtan, both male and female devotees stood up and started dancing in rhythm.
There is intense preaching going on here. On Sunday morning's the children go for Harinama. The older devotees go to professional institution such as Medical schools for preaching. During our stay there were some college girls staying over at the temple for their winter camp.
Whatever type of work HH Bhakti Charu Maharaja performs, it has to be first class because that is what and how Srila Prabhupada used to perform his tasks. Believe me, you will find everything here, 1st Class!!
Our accommodation was awesome. The guest house also has a all marble finish rooms with air conditioners in every rooms. It is certainly an international standard accommodation that would find here.
I didn't describe about the experience we had at the Govinda's restaurant, well you better make some plans to come and experience that for your self:)
We wish all our friends could be traveling with us so we could share the transcendental joy and relish together. Writing these blogs helps us in a way to be in your association at all times.
Here are the pics:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/
Until soon..........
Ys,
dvaipayana das
