Dear Vaishnava friends,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
I have much to tell you since we arrived here in India! Though I have limited access to Internet, I want to share as much as I can with you all about our visit, experiences and realizations (if we will have any:)
As we were approaching the all famous Iskcon Juhu Temple by car, a few blocks before our chauffeur pointed out to us to show bollywood star, Amitabh Bachchan's house. Even though it has got alot of public attention, it was just like a big box placed amongst other small boxes (houses). However, as soon as we entered the temple premises, we felt we were in a different world... and that is surely the true charm of whole Mumbai, because it is Srila Prabhupada's Iskcon in Juhu! Haribol!!! We all know the Mr. Nair story about how Srila Prabhupada struggled to get that piece of land for Sri Sri Radha Rasabihariji.
We felt awe when contemplating on the construction of this magnificent temple. I couldn't stop admiring the chandelier. It is huge and may have over a million crystals in it. The deities, Sri Sri Gaura Nitai, Sri Sri Radha Rasabihari and Sri Sita Rama Laksmana and Hanumanji are simply gorgeous. The temple is always filled with devotees and guests during Mangala Aroti and evening aroti.
Since we arrived in India during the book distribution marathon month, we were amazed to hear the scores announced right after mangala aroti. Devotees are distributing Bhagavad Gita in thousands...
After a weeks stay in Mumbai, per our itinerary, we will be heading to Iskcon Baroda (Gujerat), then to Iskcon Ujjain and finally to Vrindavana.
I will post pictures in a separate mail.
Until soon, Your servant,
Dvaipayana dasa
We forgot to mention one of the best thing which is Prasadam. At Juhu Mumbai, we went to Govinda restaurant which is five star restaurant and famous all around Mumbai. So many people all around Mumbai come to eat prasadam there. They have very wonderful Prasadam that you feel like to keep on going there everyday :)
ReplyDeleteKirtans were also very lively. This temple is full of enthusiatic youths. On Tuesday's and Saturday's matajis are given opportunity to lead evening kirtans. Well-known Iskcon bhajan singer, Sacidevi dasi, who resides in Mumbai, chanted thrilling kirtans.
Please give us the blessings of your association... shraddhanjali dd