The Simple Temple - December 8

We received the same unique hospitality at this temple which we have seen in the video, "The Simple Temple". It is still a simple temple now but now Sri Radha Gopinatha Chowpatty temple is renovated into a multifarious structure. The temple room is quite large but has reserve space on the opposite sides which is opened for the Sunday Feast program to accomodate the 3,000 plus people. And I was told when HH Radhanatha Swami is present, the guest number jumps to around 5,000. At present Maraharja is in US. The whole temple property becomes filled with guests and devotees. The granite stone wall outside of the temple building is beautifully carved with various floral designs. There are life size dioramas depicting Lord Krishna's pastimes on the basement. A huge sign is hung on the entrance with Prabhupada's picture in the middle. On the right of Srila Prabhupada's picture it reads: "Krishna becomes more and more pleased by seeing the increment of book distribution" and on his right it reads: "Are you ready to please Krishna?" Book marathon is prevalent throughout the year.

Most of us have seen the picture of Sri Sri Radha Gopinathaji however we were spellbound when we took live darshan of these beautiful deities. Their beauty is indescribable. The altar appears to be like a garden in Vrindavan. There are cows, monkeys and peacocks along with Sri Lalita and Sri Vishaka.

There are 150 ashram bramhacari's and most of them are highy qualified professionals. We met with one bramhacari, who holds a Phd., is now a full time temple pujari. Anyone who wishes to join as a full time devotee has to undergo one year training period to qualify himself to the bramhacari ashram. There are devotees waiting to become full time devotees but due to the limited space not everyone can be accomodated.

At the back of the temple which used to be a dumping ground has been now transformed into a very beautiful garden. It is called Vrindavana gardens. It is a very small space but devotees have created this garden with a wonderful theme. You will basically see all of Vrindavana there. There is Mount Govardhan, Radha Govinda temple, Krishna dancing on Kaliya, Nandagaon and the cows, Radha kund, Shyama kund (which are full of goldfish:) and a good sized gazebo where GBC's and sanyassis sometimes have their meeting or lunch.

Talking about lunch, this temple also has a Govinda's restaurant where we all dipped into great lunch prasadam. Shraddhanjali did tell me that I will enjoy the temple prasadam in India and I sure am. This one is not so huge as the one in Juhu but has similar international cuisine menu.

Today, December 14, we are heading to Baroda, Gujerat where we will stay at the Iskcon Baroda temple. We are taking the Rajdhani express train for this route.

I apologize once again for not uploading any pictures, however I will do that as soon as I get better internet coverage.

Until soon,

Your servant,

Dvaipayana das